Independence Memorial Hall

Independence Memorial Hall Independence Memorial Hall Independence Memorial Hall

A place to Remember

Independence Memorial Hall in Sri Lanka is mostly popular as a recreational venue for joggers, strolling couples, students from the nearby university and families looking for a refreshing reprieve from the urban environment of Colombo. Independence Memorial Hall is located in the Independence Square at Colombo 7. This place is known as Torrington Square in early days. This Hall was built for the commemoration of the independence from British in 1948. The hall was built at the location where the formal ceremony marking the start of self-rule, with the opening of the first parliament by the HRH Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester occurring at a special podium February 4, 1948.

This Hall is based on the architecture of the Audience Hall( Magul Maduwa) located in Kandy. The column and pillers are decorated with traditional Sri Lankan designs and statues of lions are placed around the building. Most of the visitors had missed the museum located in the basement of the Independence Memorial Hall. This was recently renovated and displays many statues of the national heroes, who contributed to the fight for freedom from British government.

Independence Memorial Hall in Sri Lanka: Design

Every architectural square inch of this monument is filled with lavish symbols of the island’s rich history and political freedom. At the entrance to the building is an imposing statue of  D.S. Senanayake, Sri Lanka’s first prime minister, surrounded by four menacing stone lions with protruding eyes. These feral guardians were recreated from the lion statues of the 13th century Yapahuwa kingdom. The most prominent feature of the monument, the assembly hall, was inspired by the “Magul Maduwa,” the royal court of the King of Kandy, the last kingdom on the island. Incidentally, it was at the Magul Maduwa that the Kandyan chieftains handed over the island’s sovereignty to the British throne in 1815.

The exterior of the assembly hall is decorated with “Punkalasas,” pots of plenty, which signify wealth and prosperity. The interior of the hall is supported by 60 pillars adorned with famous Embekke wood carvings from the 14th century Gampola kingdom. Made to the request of Premiere Senanayaka, who commissioned the building, it is said that he wanted a monument “worthy of this country’s long and impressive history.” Some of Sri Lanka’s most prominent architects labored over a number of sketches before the scrupulous premier granted his approval, making the Independence Memorial Hall one of the most meticulously designed buildings in the Colombo metropolis and even the whole country.

The Independence Memorial Hall is the ideal choice for those seeking a quick, relaxing getaway in the city. Much like the freedom it represents there are no entrance fees or stifling crowds; just the serenity and elegance of this historic monument and the freedom to explore and learn.

Recreational activities

Independence Square remains one of the nicest places to relax in Colombo, especially in the evenings. In addition to the memorial hall itself, there’s also the huge sprawling green lawn outside, the memorial museum and a number of cafes and shopping malls in the vicinity with easy access. It’s a favorite spot for joggers in the mornings and evenings. So much so that it’s easy to catch anybody taking a walk here at some point, from school kids to aunties to even President himself. There’s plenty of well-kept garden all around Independence Square and lovely clean paved pathways that run between. It cad definitely be said that besides Marine Drive or the beach, Independence Square is the best place in the city for some morning/evening exercise. There’s a free gym here and even a corner where you can rent a bicycle.

The Museum

On the inner end of the memorial hall that faces those square pools of water, you’ll find a brown door that leads to an eerily quiet memorial museum. It is quite hidden and your sure to miss it if you don’t play close attention. Check it out for stone busts of all those who fought for Sri Lanka’s independence, headed by leader of the Uva rebellion of 1818 himself; Monaravila Keppatipola Nilame. Independence Square is a pretty nice place, and thankfully it has been maintained well for as long as we can remember. It’s not just a historical space now but also a recreational park with an immaculate lawns, some food options and plenty of room for exercising and relaxing.

Independence Memorial Hall Independence Memorial Hall Independence Memorial Hall

O okrese Colombo

Kolombo je největší město a obchodní centrum Srí Lanky. Nachází se na západním pobřeží ostrova a sousedí se Srí Džajavardanepura Kotte, hlavním městem Srí Lanky. Kolombo je rušné a živé město se směsicí moderního života, koloniálních budov a ruin a má 647 100 obyvatel. Metropolitní region Kolombo, vymezený okresy Kolombo, Gampaha a Kalutara, má odhadovanou populaci 5 648 000 a rozkládá se na ploše 3 694,20 km². Kolombo je multietnické a multikulturní město. Je to nejlidnatější město na Srí Lance, v jehož městských hranicích žije 642 163 lidí. Počet obyvatel Kolomba je směsicí mnoha etnických skupin, zejména Sinhálců, Maurů a Tamilů. Ve městě žijí také malé komunity lidí čínského, portugalského, nizozemského, malajského a indického původu, stejně jako četní evropští emigranti. Velká většina srílanských společností má svá ústředí v Kolombu. Mezi průmyslová odvětví patří chemický, textilní, sklářský, cementářský, kožený, nábytkářský a šperkovský průmysl. V centru města se nachází druhá nejvyšší budova v jižní Asii - Světové obchodní centrum.

O Západní provincii

Západní provincie je nejhustěji osídlenou provincií Srí Lanky. Nachází se zde hlavní město zákonodárného sboru Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte a také Colombo, administrativní a obchodní centrum země. Západní provincie se dělí na 3 hlavní okresy s názvem Colombo (642 km²), Gampaha (1 386,6 km²) a Kalutara (1 606 km²). Město je ekonomickým centrem Srí Lanky a sídlí zde všechny hlavní místní i mezinárodní korporace, stejně jako všichni hlavní designoví a maloobchodní prodejci, takže se připravte na nákupní terapii v západní provincii. Západní provincie má nejvyšší populaci ze všech provincií a téměř všechny přední vzdělávací instituce na ostrově se nacházejí v ní. Mezi univerzity v provincii patří Univerzita v Colombu, Univerzita Sri Jayewardenepura, Univerzita v Kelaniya, Otevřená univerzita na Srí Lance, Buddhistická a pálijská univerzita na Srí Lance, Univerzita obrany generála sira Johna Kotelawaly a Univerzita v Moratuwě. Západní provincie má největší počet škol v zemi, včetně národních, provinčních, soukromých a mezinárodních škol.

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