Independence Memorial Hall & Square
නිදහස් චතුරශ්රය
A hall built to commemorate independence in 1948, modelled on the audience hall of the Kandyan royal palace, with stone lions surrounding it. The nearby Independence Square arcade is a commercial and leisure area.
The Independence Memorial Hall was built after Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948. It is modelled on the audience hall of the Kingdom of Kandy, with carved stone columns and stone lions guarding the perimeter. At the front stands a statue of D. S. Senanayake, the first prime minister. An Independence Memorial Museum is located underground. The surrounding lawns are where locals jog and take wedding photos. Nearby, Arcade Independence Square has been converted from an old colonial-era psychiatric hospital and now houses restaurants and shops. The site is open to the public free of charge all day.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Colombo National Museum
- Number 11 – Geoffrey Bawa's Home
- Viharamahadevi Park
- Colombo Town Hall
- Gangaramaya Temple
- Beira Lake & Seema Malaka
- Lotus Tower
- Galle Face Green