Old Parliament Building

Old Parliment building in srilanka is a majestic building and very huge, located near beach side view.

The Old Parliament stands wide, surrounded by an urban landscape, creating a strong impression of the island country’s colonial history. The Neo-Baroque style of architecture and the garden around it that houses bronze statues of eminent statesmen, make for a beautiful, warm picture of substance.

Built in the colonial era to house the Legislative Council of Ceylon, today, it is home to the Presidential Secretariat. The grandeur and national importance of this building makes it the perfect venue for many state events. Since it is a high-security zone, it is always patrolled by the armed forces and entry for general public is prohibited. However, it is worth a visit, even from a distance.

The building is several hundred meters long and only three- storeys high. It has been created using striking brown granite. The neo-classical architecture incorporates colonnades. It is said that the structure is a typical instance of the official British architecture employed in Asian colonies to reflect imperial glory.

The architecture of the Presidential secretariat/ old parliament is what is known as a neo-classical building and follows the classical city ego architecture originating in Greece and Rome. It was built as the House of Representatives when Sri Lankan was given Universal Franchise in 1931. The National Parliament met there after independence until the Parliament in Sri Jayawardenepura was built in 1982. The interior was designed as a semi- circular seating layout as it is today, but was changed to a Westminster layout with government and opposition benches after independence and continued to be so till the renovations that made it the Presidential Secretariat,

One of the most important government offices in Sri Lanka, the Old Parliament Building in Colombo bears reflections of the Neo-baroque architectural styles. Rooted in history and politics, there are many stories that build up the reputation of the building. The building was built in the year 1930 and declared as the Parliament of Sri Lanka in 1977.

The Parliament of Sri Lanka was shortly shifted to the new office in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, and the old building has since been serving as the residence of the Presidential Secretariat. The garden within the premises is home to a number of bronze statues, too. If politics and history fascinate you, the Old Parliament Building is one of the most inspiring tourist places in Colombo.

This Neo-Baroque-style building was built during the British colonial era to house the Legislative Council of Ceylon.

The Neo-Baroque-style building was built during the British colonial era to house the Legislative Council of Ceylon, and was an idea of Sir Henry McCallum. This was subsequently included in a proposal made by a committee to construct the new building for the Secretariat, Council Chamber and Government offices on reclaimed land at the northern end of Galle Face, which was approved by the Government in 1920. A. Woodson, chief architect of the Public Works Department of Ceylon, was tasked with the building's design; his initial estimate of 400,000 rupees for the scheme was later revised by the Public Works Advisory Board to 450,000.
The building was opened on 29 January 1930 by Governor Sir Herbert Stanley; a year later it was taken over by the State Council of Ceylonfor its use, who were tenants of the building until 1947, when the House of Representatives was formed with the onset of self-rule.  Following the adoption of a republican constitution in 1972, the National State Assembly convened in the building until 1977, when it was renamed the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
Parliament then moved out to a purpose-built complex in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte in 1983; the building then became home to the Presidential Secretariat, housing the Office of the President. The building and the former Council Chamber  (formally known as the Parliament Chamber) is a venue for many state events, often the letters of credence of incoming ambassadors and high commissioners are accepted by the President here.
The British Coat of Arms adorned the top of the building face until 1948, when it was replaced by the arms of the Dominion of Ceylon and was once again replaced in 1972 with the arms of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Old Parliament Building
WerangaR Old Parliament CMB.jpeg
The Old Parliament Building in Colombo
Old Parliament Building, Colombo is located in Central ColomboOld Parliament Building, Colombo
General information
Town or city Fort, Colombo
Country Sri Lanka
Coordinates 6°55′52″N 79°50′35″ECoordinates: 6°55′52″N 79°50′35″E
Completed 1930
Inaugurated 29 January 1930;88 years ago
Cost Rs 450,000
Client Office of the President
Owner Government of Sri Lanka
Design and construction
Architect A. Woodson
Architecture firm Public Works Department of Ceylon
Website
presidentsoffice.gov.lk
The Old Parliament Building, is the building that houses the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka. Situated in the Colombo fort area facing the sea, it is in close proximity to the President's House, Colombo and adjacent to the General Treasury Building. The building housed the island's legislature for 53 years until the new parliamentary complex was opened at Sri Jayawardenepura in 1983.