President's Pavilion

The President's Pavilion is an administrative building in Kandy that stands near the Temple of the Tooth along Pavilion Street. The structure serves as the official residence of Sri Lanka's President and helps define the formal character of the city's central government district.

The building was constructed during British rule as the Governor's Pavilion and received its current name in 1972 when Sri Lanka became a republic. During World War II, the site served as headquarters for directing military operations across Southeast Asia.

The pavilion plays a central role during the Esala Perahera festival, when traditional ceremonies and processions unfold in front of it. The way official spaces here connect to local customs shows how government buildings become part of community celebrations.

The site is normally closed to the public since it serves as an official residence. Visitors can view the building from the street and observe it best during the Esala Perahera festival when ceremonial activities take place outside.

Admiral Louis Mountbatten established the Southeast Asia Command headquarters at this location during World War II, directing critical military strategy for the region from here. This wartime role remains a little-known detail that connects the pavilion to global military history.