Standing majestically in the heart of Colombo, the Independence Commemoration Hall is a tribute to the courageous Sri Lankan national heroes who fought to achieve the proud liberation from colonial rule; it is an eternal reminder of our national pride.
It is not every day that you get a chance to spend a morning leisurely in a place steeped in history, art, architecture and peace. It was a prominent vision of the imposing edifice that stood in the misty morning sun light when I entered Independence Square at Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo’s luxurious residential area that nestled in the heart of the bustling city. The Independence Square is a memento of our nation’s pride.
Symbolic hallmarks
The Independence Commemoration Hall at the Independence
Square in Colombo
We have read many stories about our independence, written by prolific writers during past years, but capturing the independence legacy visually, is, perhaps, limited. Therefore, I decided to visit and behold the beauty of the Independence Commemoration Hall, a well-known place that incorporates symbolic hallmarks of Sri Lankan traditional architecture.
Armed with my Nikon camera, the objective of my visit was to capture the magnificent architectural beauty of the sprawling building. Here, the atmosphere is redolent of history, not just a magnificent tribute to Sri Lanka’s glorious past, its courageous heroes, its richness of Sinhalese art and architecture, but also of its proud liberation from colonial rule in 1948.
The Independence Memorial Hall was built at the venue of the formal ceremony marking independence in Sri Lanka, which was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (the uncle of the late Queen Elizabeth II).
The sculptured columns in the Independence Hall
I slowly climbed the short flight of steps on the right side of the ground and entered the massive chamber with thick square columns. The building is a beautiful blend of Sri Lankan architecture with a unique interior. This two-storied building with thick pillars, spacious halls paved with a marble floor, and high ceiling with floral motifs, was built to keep the temperature cool in humid climate.
A symbol of indigenous Sri Lankan architecture, the audience hall is an awe-inspiring sight against the backdrop of colonial edifices and serene greenery. Towering cement pillars embellished with Buddhist motifs bear the style of the iconic Kandyan roof. Proud lions guard the memento, a symbolic gesture of how Sri Lankans must safeguard their cultural heritage. At one end of the hall, the dark silhouette of the Father of the Nation, D. S. Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, rises into view.
The most prominent feature of the monument, the Assembly Hall, is inspired by the Magul Maduwa, the Royal court of the Kandyan Kings. 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 row of lion figures in the Independence Hall
The interior of the hall is supported by 60 pillars adorned with the famous ‘Embekke’ style wood carvings from the 14th century Gampola Kingdom. The concrete-built rows of lions are reminiscent of the famous 13th century Yapahuwa Kingdom tradition, while the traditions of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom are also visible in the sculptures around the halls. Located to the front of the monument is the statue of the first Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake, who commissioned the building of the Memorial Hall intending it to epitomise the country’s freedom struggle.
The larger-than-life statue is surrounded by a flower-shaped pond, and guarded by four lions that resembled the 13th century Yapahuwa Kingdom, larger and more imposing than those that flanked the Hall. The pond and lion figures were added in the recent past.
After visiting the upper chamber of the Independence Memorial Hall, I ventured into the basement which houses a museum exhibiting rows and rows of sculptured busts of national heroes who led the independence movement.
Fascinating exhibits
The museum features fascinating exhibits showcasing Sri Lanka’s colonial history and independence struggle as well as ancient literature and art. Most visitors to the site miss out seeing this museum. In fact, it can be assumed to be a must-see site for schoolchildren.
The statue of the first Prime Minister of independence Sri Lanka D. S. Senanayake
The wooden doors carved in Kandyan style open into a mystical chamber of history. Our motherland’s heroes and freedom activists and their contributions have been immortalised in mortar to ensure the future generations will never forget the pride of the nation; memoirs such as the diary of social reformer Brahmachari Walisinghe Harischandra, a leader of the Buddhist revivalist movement, are displayed. The replicas of cultural items are depicted in the chamber of history so that the renaissance of the island’s art and literature and its contribution to the independence movement are not forgotten.
Sri Lanka’s literary greats, including Martin Wickramasinghe, Kumaratunga Munidasa, and George Keyt, the famed painter, also share the limelight. Events from the Uva Rebellion to the signing of the Kandyan Convention and the first Cabinet of Ministers of 1931 are illustrated in a display of the unyielding Sri Lankan spirit. The latest addition to the museum is the War Heroes Commemoration Gallery. This display pays tribute to security forces members who laid their lives in sacrifice for peace in their motherland during the three-decade conflict.
Today, the Independence Square is not just a national monument but also a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature amid the historical edifices. A recently constructed shaded pathway at Independence Square gives tranquility, serenity and elegance to those who seek a relaxing gateway in the busy city. At the entrance to this stone pathway is a beautifully sculptured Sadakadapahana (Moonstone), usually placed at the entrances of Buddhist shrines. Bordered by ponds and sheltered by trees, the path is an ideal place to relax.
