Town Hall (Colombo)

Town Hall
Colombo Town Hall
General information
Architectural style	Neoclassical
Town or city	Colombo
Country	Sri Lanka
Coordinates	6°54′57.06″N 79°51′49.63″E / 6.9158500°N 79.8637861°E / 6.9158500; 79.8637861Coordinates: 6°54′57.06″N 79°51′49.63″E / 6.9158500°N 79.8637861°E / 6.9158500; 79.8637861
Construction started	24 May 1924
Completed	9 August 1928
Client	Colombo Municipal Council
Height	51.3 m (168 ft)
Design and construction
Architect	S. J. Edwards
Architecture firm	Ralph Booty & Co Ltd
Main contractor	A. A. Gammon and Co

The Town Hall of Colombo is the headquarters of the Colombo Municipal Council and the office of the Mayor of Colombo. Built in front of the Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo, Sri Lanka, it is the meeting place for the elected municipal council.

In 1921 renowned Scottish town planner, Professor Patrick Geddes, recommended that the Council should construct a large central and dignified municipal building to house the council, a public reception hall, the mayor's office and a public library. The need for the Colombo Public Library was addressed by a philanthropic donation of a building by Dr. W. Arthur Silva in 1925. This building, Sirinivasa, is now the official residence of the mayor.

In 1922 the Colombo Municipal Council held an international architectural design competition and in November that year of the 32 plans submitted, the winning design was drawn by S. J. Edwards, of the architectural firm Ralph Booty & Co. In awarding the prize the Government Architect of the Ceylon Public Works Department, Austin Woodeson, wrote:

"The buildings are admirably laid out on the site; the outbuildings are well secluded, but very accessible. The main building stands out prominently and would command pleasing views from all angles. The connecting roads are well laid out. The details and plans are excellently drawn, and illustrate in an artistic manner a most striking and effective design." "The connecting roads are well laid out. On the ground floor the corridors are straightforward, direct and well lighted. The general disposition of the departments and rooms is excellent and most convenient for access, circulation and inter-communicable both for the public and staff. On the upper floors, the offices are admirably arranged. The Council chamber is a magnificent apartment with ample accommodation for the public provided in an elevated gallery." "This provision gains many favourable points for this design. The elevations are very dignified and refined. The perspective view shows a very impressive group of buildings crowned by a dome and tower of fine proportions. The details and plans are excellently drawn, and illustrate in an artistic manner a most striking and effective design."