The architectural mark left by three European nations on one city

Today the official residence of the country’s president, Queen’s House has a history going back to Dutch times. After the last Dutch governor left, the edifice became home to the British governor. It seems the manor was destined to always remain the residence of the most important citizen of the country, for after British Occupation it became the Governor General’s house and then the president’s. 

It is grand to suit its purpose, set in 4 acres of land studded with massive trees giving shade to grassy lawns. Inside, the building houses a very valuable collection of paintings and antique furniture. In Sri Lanka, all distances from Colombo are measured, formally in miles, from the President's House.

Central Point has had its highs and lows. When its more-than-a-century old history began, it was the tallest building in Colombo and boasted of exquisite marble floors and the tallest chandelier in Asia. After the Central Bank bomb in 1996 the building was damaged and abandoned.

After some years of ignominy the building is now again resplendent as the tastefully turned out Economic History Museum of Sri Lanka (of the Central Bank), narrating the history of currency in our country. 

David Cargill and William Miller founded their warehouse in York Street in 1844. The imposing red and white brick building is today probably the most recognised building in Colombo.

A grand edifice symbolic of Colombo, the museum was yet another building by Wapchi Marikar. The then governor of Ceylon Sir William Henry Gregory founded the establishment. 

It was the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society that pointed out the need for a museum to the governor. It was J.G. Smither, architect of the Public Works Department, who designed the building based on Italian architectural style.

The Town Hall of Colombo, situated in front of the Viharamahdevi Park, is the meeting place of the elected municipal council of Colombo.

The foundation stone for the Town Hall was laid on May 24, 1924, by Mayor of Colombo T. Reid, and the work was completed in 1927. Designed by S. J. Edwards, it was originally meant to house the office of the mayor and the council chamber, and as a venue for functions with a large ballroom.

The Cinnamon Gardens racecourse was opened for horse racing in 1893. In 1922 it became the first racecourse in the East to have a totalizator. The Colombo Turf Club was based here with its own pavilion and clubhouse next to the grand stand.

During the Second World War the racecourse was used as an airstrip and after the end of the war, reconverted to a horseracing track. In the 1950’s gambling and betting were banned in the country and the racecourse was neglected. In 2014 the ground went through a major renovation, which included installation of floodlights and the conversion of a substantial part of the grandstand into a shopping and dining complex.