Town Hall, Colombo

Colombo Town Hall is a neoclassical administrative building topped with a central dome and supported by Corinthian columns across its stone facade. The structure faces Viharamahadevi Park and displays balanced proportions with classical architectural details throughout.

The building came from an international architectural competition in 1922 where S. J. Edwards won against 31 other entries, leading to its opening in 1928. This construction marked a turning point in Colombo's municipal administration and governance structure.

The building serves as the main center where the city makes its major decisions and where the mayor conducts official business. Walking past it, people recognize it as a symbol of local government and civic life in the city.

The building is open during regular business hours for visitors to view its architectural details and observe how the municipal offices operate. Expect to spend time observing from public areas, as this is an active administrative center.

The design takes inspiration from classical elements of the United States Capitol Building but adapts them to suit the local context and tropical setting of Sri Lanka. This mix of Western influence and local adjustments makes it a distinctive example of administrative architecture from this period.

Location: Colombo

Inception: August 9, 1928

Architectural style: neoclassicism

GPS coordinates: 6.91585,79.86380

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:22