The first attempt to form an Institute of Architects was made in 1948 with Archt. Herbert Gonsal as the prime mover. Due to disagreement on some issues, the matter was not pursued at that time. Further attempts were made in 1951 and 1954 by Archt. Wynne-Jones with Herbert Gonsal as the chief proponent. A number of meetings were held to work out a constitution and in 1956 the Ceylon Institute of Architects (CIA) was established by a small group of overseas qualified Architects, who also had membership of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The Inaugural meeting was held on 11th September 1957 at the Tea Propaganda Board, Price Building, Prince Street, Fort, Colombo. Twelve Architects participated at the Inaugural meeting of the CIA. Among them, Oliver Weerasinghe, T. N. Wynne-Jones , Herbert E. Gonsal and G. B. Altham were elected as the first Fellow Members of the CIA. The others who participated at the Inaugural meeting were elected the first Associate Members of the CIA, namely, H. J. Billimoria , Ronald de Kretser , S. A. David , Justin Samarasekera , Visva Selveratnam , 0.S. Candaval , P. N. Wijesinghe , and Wilson Peiris . The signatures of those who attended this inaugural meeting can still be seen in the Attendance Register.