Category Archives: News & Press

MAGA constructs iconic Manning Market Complex in Peliyagoda

  • Nov-2020-MAGA constructs iconic Manning Market Complex_Nov2020

The iconic new Manning Market Complex in Peliyagoda was inaugurated on 20 November 2020 by the Hon. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The complex will house 1192 shops and is part of the new commercial hub in Peliyagoda, bordering Sri Lanka’s most populous districts.

Relocation of the Manning Market to its new home in Peliyagoda provides vendors with larger, cleaner premises, and better access to storage, parking, and waste-management. With on-schedule completion at this critical juncture, the new market complex will provide additional safety at Colombo’s primary hub for wholesale of fresh produce. As a further step toward development of Sri Lanka’s capital city, the project will also ease traffic congestion in the city centre and release underutilised land to develop the multi-modal transport hub at Fort.

Initiated in 2013 by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) under the leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the project is a long-overdue infrastructure and accessibility upgrade for one of Sri Lanka’s busiest marketplaces. The new complex covers a total floor area of 450,000 sqft and comprises five blocks that include a ramp, elevated road, and bridge link between two of the blocks. Alongside the shops and trading space that makes up the heart of the complex, the 15-acre property also comprises cool-rooms, restaurants and cafeterias, medical centres, banks, accommodation and rest areas, and a large car park.

Designed by the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB), the complex features two large curved wings built around a central elevated road for convenient unloading and goods-handling. The new building complex also incorporates an environmental-friendly open design that maximises space and natural light. In addition, giant skylights and large solar arrays on rooftops provide further natural light and renewable energy for running of the premises.

As the Main Contractor, MAGA’s scope of work included all civil, mechanical, electrical & plumbing (MEP) and road works. Commenting on the successful completion of the project, Chairman & Managing Director of Maga Engineering Mr M. G. Kularatne stated: “Despite a severely challenging period resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to pool our resources and accelerate the construction of the complex with the guidance of the UDA and CECB. We are proud to have constructed a lasting icon for Sri Lanka which will greatly benefit the urban economy at a time of need.”

Maga Engineering is Sri Lanka’s largest construction company and a key partner in developing the nation’s infrastructure. Over the last three decades, MAGA has delivered lasting social infrastructure in education, healthcare, transport, leisure and commercial sectors, spanning a built area of over 21 million square feet, a road network of 4000km and water schemes providing drinking water to 3.5 million residents.

MAGA completes civil works of Kelani Right-Bank Water Supply Project, Stage II

  • Oct2020-MAGA completes civil works of Kelani Right-Bank Water Supply Project

The Kelani Right-Bank (KRB) Water Treatment Plant is the joint-largest in the Country, and is expected to benefit more than 1.7 million people in industrial zones and fast-growing suburbs of Northern Colombo and Gampaha. It is a significant milestone in the Government’s efforts to enhance access to safe drinking water for all citizens, while preparing to meet future demands of a rapidly developing country. The newly constructed water treatment plant will be ceremoniously opened in November 2020, following on-schedule completion despite the prevailing COVID-19 global pandemic.

KRB Stage-II was a monumental undertaking aiming to double the existing plant’s capacity. The project was implemented by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) with the Main Contractor Suez of France, a global expert in the sector who is the largest drinking water provider in the world. MAGA’s scope of civil works amounted to LKR 9 billion and included construction of a water treatment plant with 180,000m³/day capacity, installation of a 1200mm diameter DI treated-water pumping main, laying of over 30km of transmission lines, and construction of a 560mm HDPE treated effluent pipeline from Biyagama Export Processing Zone downstream to avoid pollution of river water upstream.

The new plant is capable of treating the large quantities of water required for a growing population and economy, and accommodating potential changes in water quality and availability brought on by climate change. The project also included laying of water-supply lines critical to maintaining and expanding water supply to townships in the Western Province including Biyagama, Kelaniya, Kiribathgoda, Kadawatha, Ragama, Wattala, Kandana, Ja-Ela, Seeduwa, and Ganemulla. Project teams installed major transmission and distribution mains across marshy terrain, canals, steep hill sections and busy highways; instating connections to existing lines; and constructing necessary bridge crossings, trenchless micro-tunnels, and above-ground supports to ensure safe and secure delivery of treated water.

Commenting on the project, Director Water Works of MAGA, Mega Kularatne stated: “to bring this project to life, we deployed multiple project managers, construction teams and specialists experienced in the delivery of large-scale water projects. Despite a challenging two years due to Easter Attacks and COVID-19, successful completion of the project was possible through the collective effort of a total workforce comprising 1400 engineers, technicians, skilled craftspersons, and dedicated construction workers. We thank the NWSDB and SUEZ for the guidance and support extended to us to complete the civil works.”

The project team faced significant construction challenges such as deep-rock excavation requiring controlled chemical blasting and hydraulic rock-splitting, and precision engineering for filter slabs and beams within a very congested construction site. They carried out construction and pipe-laying in a variety of terrain, dealing with multiple stakeholders and installing critical infrastructure with minimal disturbance to communities, all while maintaining stringent safety and environmental protection standards in compliance with the requirements of relevant authorities and stakeholders.

Maga Engineering plays a lead role in Sri Lanka’s water-supply sector, delivering landmark projects of national importance in Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Kurunegala, Jaffna, Dambulla, Hambantota, Balangoda, Kolonna and several other regions across the Island. MAGA continues to work closely with the National Water Supply & Drainage Board as well as international and local partners in helping achieve the Sri Lankan Government’s vision of providing safe drinking water to all citizens by the year 2025.

MAGA commences construction of 624 housing units at Colombage Mawatha, Colombo 05

  • Sep2020-Maga Engineering_Colombage Mawatha_Sep2020

An initiative of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) of Sri Lanka, this 11-storey housing complex situated on Colombage Mawatha, Narahenpita is part of the Government’s long-term Urban Regeneration Project. The Urban Regeneration Project focuses on enhancing the status and livelihoods of under-privileged communities in urban areas around Sri Lanka’s capital. As such, the project aims to construct 70,000 housing units for communities living in underserved settlements and slums without access to basic infrastructure facilities such as clean water, electricity and sanitation.

MAGA is engaged as a design and build contractor to complete construction of the housing complex funded by the Government of Sri Lanka and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Covering a total floor area of 394,062 sqft., the building will have 624 fully equipped housing units. Leveraging a wealth of experience in the residential sector, MAGA’s design has focused on livability and community aspects: large courtyards, space for shops, community halls, health centres, a maintenance office, nursery, children’s play area, day-care centre, police command centre, and large parking area.

Once complete in May 2023, the two-acre Colombage Mawatha housing complex will provide hundreds of families with access to formal land tenure, a decent home, and essential infrastructure and amenities such as safe public spaces, clean water, electricity, and sanitation.

Maga Engineering has been a long-standing partner in the Urban Development Authority’s and Government’s regeneration efforts that improve the lives of low-income communities living in urban areas. Since 2018, MAGA has been involved in constructing 3 large-scale developmental housing projects that provide safe and spacious housing to over 1600 families.

MAGA-ECL JV completes new Faculty of Technology of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura ahead-of-schedule

  • Jun2020-MAGA-ECL JV completes new Faculty of Technology of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura ahead-of-schedule

The new Faculty of Technology of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ), was ceremoniously inaugurated on 08 June 2020 by Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. This new complex is part of a large education and technology zone in Pitipana that includes the NSBM Green University, also constructed by Maga Engineering. The Faculty of Technology offers industry-focused, practical-oriented education, preparing undergraduates for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) industries. The technology stream supports Sri Lanka’s developing and diversifying economy and the rising demand for STEM professionals.

The Faculty of Technology comprises a 600-seat capacity auditorium, administration building, lecture rooms, laboratories, conference rooms, staff areas, and common amenities. Designed by Engineering Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (ECL), the building envelop maximises natural views, light, and ventilation; allowing students and teachers to experience the building, surrounding landscape, and interior as fluid spaces. Architectural forms of the design have been inspired by nature, with the use of clay tiles of low absorptivity, and organic natural colours. Rainwater harvesting facilities reduce maintenance costs whilst providing irrigation for the property. Apart from construction of the superstructure, MAGA also undertook all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work, setting up necessary industrial machinery, equipment, and laboratory support systems.

Chairman & Managing Director of Maga Engineering, Mr. M G Kularatne congratulated the teams who worked on the project. “MAGA and ECL are proud to have brought to life this exemplary complex housing Sri Lanka’s flagship Faculty of Technology, which is due to create a paradigm shift in Sri Lanka’s higher education and support the nation’s industrial drive. The project showcases our strength in delivering large-scale building projects – we were able to complete the project in March 2020, five months ahead-of-schedule.”

The University of Sri Jayewardenepura initiated the Faculty of Technology in 2016 to provide undergraduates with a host of higher education opportunities in the fields of Engineering Technology, Biosystems Technology, and Information Communication Technology (ICT). The faculty now caters to hundreds of students enrolling in the Sri Lankan University system through the new Technology stream introduced to schools in 2013. Marking the occasion, Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, newly appointed Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC) noted “the field of technological studies directly relevant to our industries has been a long-standing need in our country’s education system. However, there were only very few opportunities available in this line of study. The University of Sri Jayewardenepura stepped forward to cater to this growing need by establishing the Faculty of Technology”.

Maga Engineering is Sri Lanka’s largest construction company and a key partner in developing the nation’s educational infrastructure. Since inception, MAGA has been involved in 27 projects in the Education sector, building two National Colleges of Education and several Universities, including South Asia’s first green university. Established in 1968, ECL is the one of the largest multi-disciplinary consulting companies in Sri Lanka behind some of the most iconic buildings and infrastructure projects.