Colonial Architecture of Sri Lank a
The history of Sri Lanka begins around 30,000 years ago when the island was first inhabited. Up to 16th century island was ruled by the kings from time to time. From16th century country was ruled by Dutch(1638), Portuguese(1505)and British(1796 – 1948). Independence was finally granted in 1948.
With each occupation, the cultural and architectural influences remained. Forts and townships originally built by the Portuguese in Galle, Matara, Negombo and Kalpitiya were later captured by the Dutch and developed further to include churches, canals, and public buildings. British Colonial period architecture is seen in Colombo and the hill country. |
| General Post Office |
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| Miller's Building |
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| Miller's Building |
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| Church in colombo |
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| Colombo Museum |
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| Old Parliament Building |
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Colonial architecture of Colombo
Colombo’s three-mile long rampart cordoning of the area covered by today’s Fort and Pettah districts, was originally built in the 17th century by the Portuguese and then further developed by the Dutch and the British. Today, it is the commercial hub of the country consisting of government offices, banks, five-star hotels and the country’s largest wholesale bazaar with a maze of lanes and small shops crowded with people frantically buying and selling. In Fort, many of the old colonial buildings still stand gloriously, side by side with the rest of Colombo’s modern skyline. Interesting buildings to visit include the Galle Face Hotel (once the mansion of a British Governor), the Presidential Secretariat (previously the Parliament house), Grand Oriental Hotel (previously barracks for soldiers during Dutch period), the red & white Cargills & Millers department store buildings, the General Post Office building (the Delft Gateway built during the Dutch period), and the Fort Police Station (previously a Dutch hospital). The St. Peter’s Church and the Wovendaal Church located by the Grand Oriental Hotel were also built during the Dutch period.
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| Colombo Museum |
Colombo Museum
The Colombo museum as it was called at the beginning was established on 1 January 1877. The Architect of the Public Works Department, J. G. Smither was able to prepare the plans for new structure on Italian Architectural style. The construction was completed in 1876 and the Museum commenced it functions in the following year.
Old Parliament Building
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| Old Parliament Building |
The Old Parliament Building the near the Galle Face Green, now the Presidential Secretariat constructed in 1930 cost of SLRs 450, 000.00
Galle face hotel
The GALLE Face Hotel, founded in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1864, is the oldest hotel east of Suez. It is located at 2, Galle Road, Colombo 03. The Ceylon Hotels Corporation is now part of the Galle Face Hotel Group. The hotel is a member of Select Hotels and Resorts International.
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Mount Lavinia Hotel
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Mount Lavinia Hotel
Mount Lavinia Hotel is located 12 km from Colombo. It combining imperial elegance with the comfort & facilities of a fine modern resort
The Mount Lavinia Hotel is a legacy of Sri Lanka 's Colonial Heritage. It stands as a monument to the forbidden love of a Governor General and a local mestizo dancer who cast a spell on his heart.
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| Town Hall |
Town Hall
The Town Hall of Colombo is the headquarters of the Colombo Municipal Council and the office of the Mayor of Colombo. Built in front of the Viharamahadevi Park, it is the meeting place for the elected municipal council. The foundation stone was laid on May 24, 1924 by T. Reid, CCS the Mayor of Colombo at the time and the work was completed in 1927.
Designed by S.J Edwards, it was originally meant to house the office of the mayor and the council chamber, and as a venuefor functions with large Ballrooms. The all white Town Hall, with its colonnades & white dome in the centre brings into the mind a well known image; Washington's White House, home of US presidents.
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| Galle’s 17th century Dutch Fort |
Galle’s 17th century Dutch Fort
Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, originally built by the Portuguese and then further developed by the Dutch and the British, covers nearly four sq kms, and is protected by 12 bastions and connecting ramparts. During the early 18th century the Old Dutch Gate was the entrance point to the Fort. Subsequently the British built the Main Gate which is still used today. Buildings of interest include the Dutch Reformed Church, All Saints Church, Amangalla Hotel (formerly the New Oriental Hotel), the lighthouse and bell tower. The Dutch also developed what was then an innovative tide-based sewage-system within the Fort. A maze of narrow roads lined with small houses and shops with Dutch names still remain. Recently, a spate of old colonial houses within the Fort have been intelligently renovated and made into exquisite boutique villas and hotels retaining the colonial architectural features including arches and columned courtyards, verandas, and high ceilings
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| Galle’s 17th century Dutch Fort |
