| Colombo Town Hall | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location in greater Colombo | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| Town or city | Colombo |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Coordinates | 6°54′57.06″N 79°51′49.63″E / 6.9158500°N 79.8637861°E |
| Construction started | 24 May 1924 |
| Completed | 9 August 1928 |
| Client | Colombo Municipal Council |
| Height | 51.3 m (168 ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | S. J. Edwards |
| Architecture firm | Ralph Booty & Co Ltd |
| Main contractor | A. A. Gammon and Co |
The Town Hall of Colombo (Sinhala: කොළඹ නගර ශාලාව, Tamil: நகர மண்டபம், கொழும்பு) is the headquarters of the Colombo Municipal Council and the office of the mayor of Colombo. Built in front of the Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo, Sri Lanka, it is the meeting place for the elected municipal council.
In 1921 renowned Scottish town planner Professor Patrick Geddes recommended that the Council should construct a large central and dignified municipal building to house the council, a public reception hall, the mayor's office and a public library. The need for the Colombo Public Library was addressed by a philanthropic donation of a building by Dr. W. Arthur Silva in 1925.[1] This building, Sirinivasa, is now the official residence of the mayor.
In 1922 the Colombo Municipal Council held an international architectural design competition and in November that year of the 32 plans submitted, the winning design was drawn by S. J. Edwards, of the architectural firm Ralph Booty & Co.[2] In awarding the prize the Government Architect of the Ceylon Public Works Department, Austin Woodeson, wrote:
"The buildings are admirably laid out on the site; the outbuildings are well secluded, but very accessible. The main building stands out prominently and would command pleasing views from all angles. The connecting roads are well laid out. The details and plans are excellently drawn, and illustrate in an artistic manner a most striking and effective design." "The connecting roads are well laid out. On the ground floor the corridors are straightforward, direct and well lighted. The general disposition of the departments and rooms is excellent and most convenient for access, circulation and inter-communicable both for the public and staff. On the upper floors, the offices are admirably arranged. The Council chamber is a magnificent apartment with ample accommodation for the public provided in an elevated gallery." "This provision gains many favourable points for this design. The elevations are very dignified and refined. The perspective view shows a very impressive group of buildings crowned by a dome and tower of fine proportions. The details and plans are excellently drawn, and illustrate in an artistic manner a most striking and effective design."[3]
The foundation stone for the town hall was laid on 24 May 1924, by the Mayor of Colombo, Thomas Reid, CCS.[4] The construction of the building was undertaken by A. A. Gammon & Co[5] and four years later on 9 August 1928 it was formally opened by the Governor Sir Herbert Stanley KCMG.[6] The cost of the new town hall was met largely by revenue generated by the Council, without taking out any loans from the central government and as a result, for years Municipal finances were depleted.
- ^ "Centenary commemoration of a philanthropist". The Nation. 21 December 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
- ^ "Colombo's Public Offices". The Straits Times. 6 March 1923. p. 10.
- ^ Gaveshaka, Sathya. "The imposing 'white house' in the City". The SundayTimes. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
- ^ "Colombo's New Town Hall". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 2 June 1924. p. 6. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
- ^ Gaveshaka, Sathya (20 May 2007). "The imposing Town Hall". The SundayTimes. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
- ^ "Colombo's New Town Hall". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 25 August 1928. p. 13. Retrieved 17 August 2016.