Old Parliament

Have you ever wondered what happened in Sri Lanka before it was an independent nation? This majestic building right before you, the Old Parliament, was once the heart of the country’s legislative power during the British colonial era. It was built between 1925 and 1930, its impressive neo-Baroque architecture hinting at the power of British colonial rule. Designed by British architect Austin Woodeson, who was the chief architect of the Public Works Department of Ceylon, the building was inaugurated on January 29, 1930, by Governor Sir Herbert Stanley. The Old Parliament building was originally meant to house the Legislative Council of Ceylon. But as the island gained independence in 1948, the building took on a new role. It served as a meeting place for the House of Representatives. Not long after, in 1977, it became the Parliament of Sri Lanka, a symbol of a nation finding its own identity under newly established democratic rule. Later, in 1983, the parliament moved to a new building in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. This building, however, remained important. It became home to the Presidential Secretariat, the office of the President of Sri Lanka. It remains a popular tourist attraction even though it’s no longer open to the public. So, the next time you see this stately building, think about its significance in Sri Lanka’s journey toward independence. The Old Parliament tells a story of transformation, reminding all who see it that the country’s history is a journey of struggle and achievement.