Independence Square Colombo

Inspired by the Magul Maduwa (Royal Audience Hall of the Kingdom of Kandy), Independence Square is a unique building in the center of Colombo. The building was built for commemoration of Sri Lanka’s independence from the British on 4th of February 1948. Being also an open park and a walking ground it is one of the greatest places to relax in Colombo.

The island was granted independence on the 4th of February 1948 as the Dominion of Ceylon. For 24 years after independence the Dominion status was retained within the British Commonwealth. The Independence Square also known as the Independence Memorial Hall was built for commemoration of the independence.

The building was designed by a group of either architects. The team was led by Tom Neville Wynne-Jones, and included F.H. Billimoria, Shirley de Alwis, Oliver Weerasinghe, Homi Billimoria, Justin Samarasekera and M. B. Morina.

A statue of the first prime minister of Sri Lanka, Don Stephen Senanayake (D.S. Senanayake), known as “The Father of the Nation” is located at the head of the building. The newly built modern shopping mall, Arcade Independence Square is just to the south of Independence Square.