Independence Memorial Hall, Colombo

Independence Memorial Hall, Colombo, Sri Lanka (3 September, 2005)

Independence Memorial Hall (GPS: 6.90418, 79.86757) is a historic building in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is located at Independence Square, on Bauddhaloka Mawatha in Colombo. Despite its name, it was actually built long after independence was gained. The Independence Memorial hall was designed to resemble a Kandyan audience hall. The structure is made of concrete, and bear columns similar to what is found in ancient Sri Lankan architecture. Ancient lion sculptures as well as the punkala, or pot of plenty, architectural designs that have lasted for two thousand years, are revitalised in its design.

I visited the Independence Memorial Hall, often also written as Commemoration Hall, with members of AsiaExplorers, on our tour of Colombo, which came on the final day of our exploration of Sri Lanka. I have mapped out all the heritage places I wanted to visit, and this is one of them.