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Parliament, Independence Square and Presidential Secretariat buildings declared in need of urgent repair
- The Urban Development Authority has estimated a Rs. 10 billion cost for renovating the Parliament Complex
- The Speaker has instructed a re-evaluation of the renovation budget, citing concerns over the high expenditure and the need to explore alternative funding options
- Renovations will begin next month and are scheduled to continue until 2030 with labour support from the Sri Lanka Army and Navy
- Independence Square's restoration faces delays due to difficulty replicating original plaster materials and addressing damage to structural elements and statues
- While organizations like USAID initially pledged support, recent U.S. policy changes have led to suspended funding
By Indika Sri Aravinda
Colombo, May 21 (Daily Mirror) - Three of Sri Lanka’s most iconic government buildings - the Parliament Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, the Old Parliament Building at Galle Face (now the Presidential Secretariat), and Independence Square in Colombo 7 - have been officially identified as requiring significant maintenance and structural upgrades.
State construction authorities have already submitted assessment and design reports to the relevant institutions, outlining the urgent repairs required. According to the Speaker’s Office, the Urban Development Authority (UDA) has estimated that renovating the Parliament Complex alone would cost around Rs. 10 billion.
The Parliament building has reportedly suffered significant water damage due to a leaking roof, resulting in cracks in walls and columns. The outdated electrical and plumbing systems, as well as the deteriorating internal rainwater gutter system, have also contributed to the building's declining condition. Of the total estimated cost, Rs. 5 billion has been allocated solely for roof repairs. The specialized copper-based plumbing system is also to be replaced, contributing to the high expense.
A phased five-year renovation plan is scheduled to begin next month, with labour assistance from the Sri Lanka Army and Navy. International support was initially pledged by organizations such as USAID, but funding has been suspended due to a policy change by the U.S. President, creating financial uncertainty for the project.
The renovations are to be carried out under the supervision of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust, in recognition of the original architect of the Parliament building, the late Geoffrey Bawa.
Meanwhile, the Independence Square building, over 75 years old, is also reported to be in a state of disrepair. Structural cracks have appeared in several columns, and the ground-floor museum is now in a dilapidated state. Restoration plans include the repair of structural elements and the iconic lion statues. However, sourcing the specific plaster mixture used in the original construction has proven challenging, further delaying progress.
Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Dr. Chandana Abayarathna confirmed that this will be the first major renovation since a minor one over 50 years ago, and that the Cabinet has approved open tender calls for the project.
Similarly, the Old Parliament Building, now serving as the Presidential Secretariat, constructed in 1930, shows signs of age, with some external parts peeling due to intense sunlight and discoloration of stone lion sculptures and walls. Several state institutions have informed the Secretariat that full renovation is now necessary.
The Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) has been appointed to oversee engineering responsibilities for all three buildings.
In light of the substantial costs, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne has called for a re-evaluation of the budget and alternative funding strategies.
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