Galle Fort Post Office, Colonial post office in Galle Fort, Sri Lanka
Galle Fort Post Office is a colonial-era building that now serves as the primary mail facility within the historic walled city. A single story with six stone pillars beneath the portico and traditional terracotta roof tiles make up its architectural features.
The building was originally constructed under Dutch rule as the Governor's residence and later converted during British administration into a postal station. This shift made it one of the first five post offices established by the British in Ceylon.
The post office reflects how mail connected people across distances during colonial times and remains a place where locals send letters and packages to loved ones. This function links the building to everyday communication practices that travelers can still observe today.
The building sits at the intersection of Church Street and Church Cross Street, making it easy to locate within the fortified city. Visitors can purchase stamps, postcards, and stationery or send mail from this location.
A mail coach service began operating between Galle and Colombo in 1832, taking ten and a half hours to travel the coastal route. This early transportation link demonstrates how vital postal communication was becoming to the colony.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
