Information
Landmark: Old Parliament BuildingCity: Colombo
Country: Sri Lanka
Continent: Asia
Old Parliament Building, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Asia
Overview
The Old Parliament Building in Colombo, Sri Lanka, stands as a proud landmark of the nation’s political past, its grand stone columns still catching the afternoon sun.Once the seat of Sri Lanka’s government, this grand building still rises with the weight of history, its stone columns recalling both the colonial era and the nation’s first steps into independence.In Colombo’s Fort district stands the building, where weathered stone walls offer a glimpse into the nation’s political past.The Old Parliament Building stands in Colombo’s Fort district, a short walk from the salty breeze of Galle Face Green and within sight of the busy harbor.Rising above the city’s skyline and looking out over the deep blue of the Indian Ocean, the building was put up in the early 1900s under British rule in Sri Lanka and first served as the meeting place for the Legislative Council of Ceylon.After gaining independence in 1948, Sri Lanka housed its Parliament in the Old Parliament Building until 1982, when the new complex in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte opened; built in a neo-classical style, the old structure stands out with its towering columns, tall arched windows, and broad verandas where sunlight spills across the stone floors.Classical details line the building’s facade, giving it a distinct charm that makes it stand out in Colombo.Its symmetrical wings frame a central dome, the gleaming curve visible from streets blocks away.Built from limestone and brick-the kind you see in many colonial-era buildings-the Old Parliament Building stood for decades at the center of Sri Lanka’s political life, its steps worn smooth by countless hurried feet.From 1948 until 1982, this building served as the meeting place for Sri Lanka’s Parliament, before the government moved to the new complex in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.Within its walls, leaders debated and shaped the nation’s path, drafting the Ceylon Constitution-later the Sri Lanka Constitution-and passing laws that built the modern state.Don Stephen Senanayake, the first Prime Minister, and J. R. Jayewardene, the country’s first President, both left their mark here.The Assembly Hall, at the heart of the Old Parliament Building, still stands out for its sweeping columns and imposing grandeur.In the hall, members of Parliament met to debate national issues, pass new laws, and wrestle over political questions, their voices echoing off the high stone walls.The hall no longer hosts parliament, yet it still stands as a powerful emblem of Sri Lanka’s legislative past.From its wide front lawn, you can see the shimmer of the Indian Ocean and the stretch of Galle Face Green, the broad park that hugs the shoreline.They picked this spot for the Parliament Building to give it symbolic weight and a sweeping view of the sea, a choice that mirrored the nation’s political and economic stature at the time.Built in the colonial era, the Old Parliament Building stands as a reminder of Sri Lanka’s years under British rule and as the place where the island stepped from colony to independent nation.The Old Parliament Building still stands as a powerful symbol of the nation’s path to self-rule and political maturity.In recent years, workers have carefully restored its weathered stone and polished its wooden halls, preserving its place as a treasured national monument.Though it no longer serves as Sri Lanka’s seat of government, careful preservation keeps the Old Parliament Building standing as a quiet witness to the nation’s political journey.Just a short stroll away, Galle Face Green stretches along the coast, where you can feel the salt wind on your face, watch families fly kites, and take in the sweep of the sea.It’s the perfect place to stop after wandering through the Old Parliament Building, and just a short walk away in the Fort district, the Colombo Lighthouse rises tall against the sea.It’s not the first lighthouse, but it still stands as a proud piece of history beside the Old Parliament Building.Just a short walk away, the Old Dutch Hospital-its thick walls cool even in the midday heat-is one of Colombo’s oldest surviving landmarks.Once a relic of the past, it’s now a lively hub of shops and restaurants that still breathe with old-world character.The Galle Face Hotel, just across from the Old Parliament Building, ranks among Sri Lanka’s oldest, perfect for soaking in history or sipping tea while watching the Indian Ocean shimmer.Nearby, Colombo Fort holds a cluster of colonial-era gems, from the stately Clock Tower to grand government offices.The area brims with history and striking architecture, just a short walk from the Old Parliament Building.You can’t go inside for a tour anymore, but you can still stand at the gates and take in its grand stone façade.The space around the Old Parliament Building is usually open, so you can wander freely, snap photos, and take in the details-like the way morning light warms its stone.Visit early or in the late afternoon for cooler air and golden light that flatters every angle.Afterward, you’ll find plenty of nearby cafés, restaurants, and shops where you can taste local dishes or browse for keepsakes.Once the seat of Sri Lanka’s government for decades, the building remains a powerful symbol of the nation’s political history.Blending graceful neo-classical columns with a rich past, it stands as one of Colombo’s most recognizable landmarks.Though it no longer hosts lawmakers, the building still rises over the street, a quiet reminder of Sri Lanka’s colonial past and its long road to independence.Right in the heart of the city, with the clock tower just a street away, the building sits among Colombo’s most famous landmarks, making it an essential stop for anyone tracing the city’s historical and political past.
