Bogambara Prison, Former colonial prison in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
The rectangular prison complex spans 7 acres on a plateau, featuring a main building of 8,500 square meters with 382 individual holding cells.
British Ceylon Government established this maximum security prison in 1876, operating continuously until its closure and inmate transfer in January 2014.
The prison grounds emerged from filling Bogambara Wewa lake, representing British colonial influence on Sri Lankan correctional infrastructure during the 19th century.
The former prison reopened in 2019 as Bogambara Cultural Park, offering shops, workspaces, and accommodations for visitors exploring Kandy's heritage sites.
During its operation, the facility conducted 524 executions, standing as one of only two locations in Sri Lanka authorized for capital punishment.
Location: Kandy
Inception: 1876
Official opening: 1876
GPS coordinates: 7.29056,80.63545
Latest update: March 18, 2025 18:54
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