President's House, Colombo, Official residence in Fort district, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The President's House is an official residence located in the Fort district of Colombo with colonial architecture. The complex features columned structures, high ceilings, deep verandahs, and landscaped gardens surrounding the main building.
The building was constructed in 1804 on the site of a former Dutch governor's residence and served as the King's House during the British period. After Sri Lanka became a republic in 1972, it transitioned to serve as the President's official home.
Inside are collections of gemstones, jewelry, and paintings received as diplomatic gifts from other nations, showing the bonds built through international relations over time.
The building sits on Janadhipathi Mawatha and serves as the official reference point from which all distances across Sri Lanka are measured. This makes it an important landmark for orienting yourself when navigating the city.
In 2022, thousands of protesters entered the building during nationwide demonstrations against economic crisis, making it a focal point of civil action. This event became a defining moment in the country's recent political history.
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