Dr Sarath Obeysekera

The Sri Lankan construction industry is facing a serious shortage of skilled labour, especially after the economic crisis and migration of workers to the Middle East, Europe, Australia and even Maldives.

According to recent industry estimates, Sri Lanka may face a shortage of nearly 20,000 skilled workers in 2026, and the industry has already requested permission to import about 7,500 foreign workers.

The most critical shortages are in the following trades:

Trade Estimated Present/Future Requirement
Carpenters 15,000–20,000
Masons 35,000–50,000
Plumbers 8,000–12,000
Electricians 10,000–15,000
Welders 12,000–18,000
Bar benders & steel fixers 8,000–10,000
Heavy equipment operators 5,000–8,000

These are not exact Government census figures but industry-based estimates derived from contractor surveys, Chamber discussions, vocational training data and labour demand trends.

A landmark Sri Lankan construction workforce study found the traditional workforce composition to be approximately:

• 33% masons
• 10% carpenters
• 1–2% each of plumbers and electricians
• the balance being unskilled labour and other trades.

Today the shortage has worsened because:

1. Skilled workers migrate overseas for higher salaries
2. Young people avoid vocational trades
3. Construction work lacks social recognition
4. Informal training dominates the sector
5. Large infrastructure and apartment projects increased demand rapidly
6. Many experienced craftsmen are aging out of the workforce

The welding sector is especially alarming. Industry observers note that many factories and construction sites now depend on migrant welders from India.

The shortage is not merely a labour issue. It directly affects:

• Housing costs
• Delays in Government projects
• Tourism infrastructure
• Shipbuilding and marine engineering
• Manufacturing competitiveness
• Foreign direct investment projects

Sri Lanka urgently needs a national vocational strategy involving:

• the Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka
• Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission
• National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority
• private sector academies
• foreign technical partnerships

Without this, the country may increasingly depend on imported labour even for basic infrastructure development.

Dr Sarath Obeysekera