The New Capital
In less than thirty years after gaining independence, Colombo which was the administrative and commercial capital of the colonial era, seemed inadequate to accommodate the growing administrative needs of a developing country. In a comparatively small city where all buildings were clustered together no further expansion was possible. The fast growing legislative assembly found the imposing structure of Roman architecture which was originally meant to seat 50 members was not possible to be expanded or extended to seat 200. The infrastructure, drainage and sewerage systems, telecommunication and such other common amenities were strained to breaking point. The planners were left with no alternative but to seek alternate space. The proposal to build a new Parliament which originated in 1967 finally materialized in 1977, when it was simultaneously decided to shift the capital. The area selected was Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, one time capital of ancient Lanka and abode of the sacred Tooth Relic.
Along with the new Parliament complex, a tribute to modern architecture, with interior decor depicting the historical Sinhalese culture, other administrative buildings were also located in the vicinity. A few ministries, state corporations, the Speaker's residence and those of MPs are a few already established. The administrative secretarial, staff quarters and many other complexes are proposed for construction.
Parliament
From the 1930s the Parliament building facing the sea at Galle Face Green, Colombo, was the forum for the Legislative Council, the State Council, the House of Representatives, the National State Assembly and Parliaments under many governments. In April 1967, during the Dudley Senanayake government of 1965 -1970, the Party leaders at a meeting decided to construct a new building for the House of Representatives and to demarcate land close to Galle Face Green by the side of the Beira Lake. This decision was made as a result of the expert opinion expressed by engineers that alterations or extensions to the existing chamber or to the building to accommodate 200 members were not possible since the original construction was meant to accommodate only 50 members.
The committee of Party Leaders went on to proceed with the proposal to construct a new complex and appointed Mr. Geoffrey Bawa as the Architect of the new project and requested him to prepare the preliminary plans. After some deliberations which followed the change of government it was finally decided in May 1973 that the then Honourable Prime Minister, Mrs. Sirima R.D. Bandaranaike should lay the foundation stone. This, however, did not come to pass since the Prime Minister Mrs. Bandaranaike for reasons unknown was not responsive. As the matter dragged on it was later revealed that the site which was originally selected by the Lakeside was a burial ground during the British regime.
On assumption of office as Prime Minister in 1977 President Jayewardene revived the long overdue need for the new Parliament. He decided that the new complex should be sited completely away from the heart of the city of Colombo and located in a suitable site in the new capital of Sri Lanka - Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte. An island in the historic Diyawanna Oya was chosen. Mr. Geoffrey Bawa was accepted as the Architect and Mitsui of Japan were chosen to build.
The lobby walls are decorated by mural paintings, depicting historic legends, frescos depicting the story of the great Sinhala poem Selalihini Sandesaya, the temple of the Holy Tooth and many other paintings by prominent Sinhala artists. The Chamber, the centerpiece of the complex, is a masterpiece of unique interior decor of stunning beauty. Rectangular in shape it rises to a height of two floors of the main building. Its entrance is blocked by a heavy door 12ft by 12ft wrought in silver plated copper intricately carved in floral design. A magnificent chandelier of silver plated copper in the shape of a bunch of giant flowers hanging from the centre of the roof, with a suspended ceiling made of anodized aluminum plaques joined together, spreads above the chambers like a silver dome.
Today the beautiful complex is a monument, boasting of Japanese construction prowess with a salient interior portraying traditional Sinhala culture created by artists, painters and an architect of international repute. It stands in majestic splendour surrounded by the clear blue waters of the historical Diyawanna Oya in the salubrious environment of the once great Sinhala Kingdom, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, resplendent in all its national beauty.
