Colombo Town Hall
A gleaming white, domed neoclassical building opened in 1928, home of the Colombo Municipal Council and facing Viharamahadevi Park in Cinnamon Gardens.
Colombo Town Hall is one of the most elegant buildings in the city, a gleaming white neoclassical hall crowned with a large dome, standing at the edge of Cinnamon Gardens. Opened in 1928, during British rule, it is the seat of the Colombo Municipal Council, and it is still a working building where the city's council meets and its mayor has an office.
The design is grand and symmetrical, with tall columns along the front, wide steps and the dome rising above the centre, and it is often compared to the Capitol building in Washington. Its bright white walls look especially striking against a blue sky, and at night the building is lit up, which makes it a lovely sight on an evening drive through the city.
The best view is from Viharamahadevi Park, directly opposite. Walk along the park's long fountain pool, and the Town Hall dome sits right at the end of the view, one of the classic scenes of Colombo. The park is also a pleasant place to sit in the shade after you have taken your photos.
As a working government building, the Town Hall is usually admired from outside rather than visited inside. It is easy to combine with the park, the Colombo National Museum a short walk away, and the other landmarks of Cinnamon Gardens.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free to view from outside
- Opening hours: Viewable at any time from outside. The building itself is a working council office.
- Time needed: 15 to 30 minutes
- Best time: Morning for blue skies behind the dome, or after dark when it is lit up
How to get there
In Cinnamon Gardens (Colombo 7), facing Viharamahadevi Park, close to the National Museum. Easy to reach by tuk tuk from anywhere in central Colombo.