Construction industry

According to the Faizal ( 2010, cited Manamgoda, 2011) construction process can be identified as constructing, altering, erecting, repairing and demolition of buildings, civil engineering works and other structures. As well as assembly and installations of on site prefabricated components and building engineering services is a part of the construction activities. Nunnally (2007) stated the construction as follows; “It is widely recognized that construction as a discipline of combination of art and science. While understanding the technical aspect of construction is extremely important, it is also essential that construction professionals have knowledge of the business and management aspect of the profession”.

Kriaris (1987, cited Manamgoda, 2011) has described that the “industry” is a group of related economic classified in accordance with the output or services supplied. Thus construction industry can be identified as a sector of economic activities which construct, erect, alter, repair and demolish buildings, civil engineering work and other structures whereas it is also a discipline of combination of art and science. As well as “the construction industry is also a key indicator and driver of economic activity and wealth creation. While construction has traditionally being a very conservative industry, the increasing rate of technological development and growing international competition in the industry are serving to accelerate the development of new construction method, equipment, materials and management techniques” (Nunnally, 2007).
According to Faizal ( 2010, cited Manamgoda, 2011) the features of the construction industry can be categorised by considering it’s features of output, nature of construction work, size of the project, government as a main client, nature of the demand for construction output, complexity of technology used and structure of the industry.
Further, the Hongtao (2004, cited Manamgoda, 2011) has identified the construction industry is a capital goods industry because the output given by the construction industry fertilizes other industries’ contribution to the gross domestic product of the nation. Faizal ( 2010, cited Manamgoda, 2011) stated that the involvement of man power in many levels including skilled and unskilled labours and plants and machinery is considerably high in construction industry compared to other industries.
The construction industry can be categorized in to many categories according to their characteristics. According to the Hendrickson (2003) the construction industry is classified in to four categories as residential construction, commercial and institutional construction, infrastructure & heavy construction and specialized construction. Nunnally (2007) classified the construction industry as building construction, heavy construction and special construction. The building construction is also calld as horizontal construction which covers construction of commercial buildings, residential building for both private and public. Heavy construction includes high ways, airports, roads, bridges, irrigations, dams and other public infrastructures. The special construction includes industrial construction, marine construction, process plant construction and utility construction.
In Sri Lanka, infrastructure development has taken its place, especially focused on the country’s capital Colombo, North and Southern provinces. The activities of the construction industries are mostly controlled by the ICTAD (Institute for construction training and development) in Sri Lanka, ministry of housing and construction and local authorities while construction professionals are being regulated by their respective professional bodies. ( For example, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL), Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka ( IQSSL), Sri Lanka Institute of Architects ( SLIA) etc.)