Built in 1953 to mark Sri Lanka's independence from Britain in 1948, this open-sided pavilion copies the design of a traditional Kandyan royal audience hall and sits on raised grounds surrounded by lawns. A statue of first prime minister D.S. Senanayake stands in front, and the surrounding park is popular with joggers and students from nearby campuses. The hall itself is modest inside, so most visitors spend their time on the grounds rather than the building. It is at Colombo's Cinnamon Gardens, close to the other main sights. It ranks among Colombo's most visited sights, and for good reason - most itineraries include it on day one.
What It Is
You climb a tiered staircase to an open pavilion with carved pillars and a high roof, standing where Sri Lanka's independence ceremony took place in 1948, with the city's traffic muted by the surrounding park.
Why Visit
It marks the formal end of British colonial rule in a single, uncrowded site, and the Kandyan-style architecture is a visual break from the Dutch and British buildings dominating Fort. That puts it near the top of any Colombo visit, and it deserves the spot. Combine it with Viharamahadevi Park and Dutch Period Museum - they are close enough to walk between and together make the strongest half-day in Colombo. Mornings are quieter if you want to take your time.
More on Colombo
You will find it in Cinnamon Gardens. It is one entry in our list of things to do in Colombo. The Colombo guide covers transport, costs and when to go.
We plan trips to Colombo and the rest of Sri Lanka. Tell us your dates and we will put a route together. Our routes are on the tours page.
