The Chief Architect was a position created in 1865 by Governor Hercules Robinson and the Executive Council of Ceylon to design and oversee the construction of public buildings across Ceylon.[1]

Previously the Public Works Department, which was established in 1849 was managed by British engineers.

The chief architect worked within the Public Works Department and the first chief architect was James George Smither.[2][3] The position was retained following the country's independence in 1948 however it was not until the appointment of Homi Billimoria in 1953, that a Ceylonese architect assumed the role.[4] In 1969 the Public Works Department was abolished and replaced with the Department of Buildings.[5] The department was established as the sole authority and consultancy institution in the construction of government buildings. In 1977 the position of Chief Architect was re-instated, with the appointment of Panini Tennekoon. He was the last recognised Chief Architect, following which the position reverted to Director - Architecture within the department, reporting to the Director General of Buildings.

List of Chief Architects
Name Tenure Birth date Birthplace Death date Death place Notable works
James George Smither OBE1865-1883January–March 1833Ireland1910Camberwell, England
There are no records of a Chief Architect being appointed until 1925
Austin Woodeson OBE1925 - 19323 May 1873Reading, Berkshire, England24 November 1935Bournemouth, England
Tom Neville Wynne-Jones CBE, CMG1932-195319 November 1893Swansea, Glamorgan, Wales21 June 1979Frinton-on-Sea, Essex
Homi Billimoria OBE1953-195623 May 1901Colombo, CeylonJune 1956Colombo
Justin Samarasekera[2][17]1956-196221 May 1916Colombo, Ceylon3 November 2003Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Independence Memorial Hall, Colombo (1948)
  • Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Colombo (1959)
  • Institute of Practical Technology, Katubedde, Moratuwa (1959)
  • Kalutara Chaitya, Kalutara (1965)
  • Indian Pavilion and Ceylon Paper Corporation Pavilion, International Industrial Exhibition, Colombo (1965)
  • Atchchuveli Industrial Estate, Jaffna (1970)
  • SLFP Party Headquarters, Colombo (1970)
  • University of Kelaniya Library, Kelaniya (1973)
  • Kollupitiya Market, Colombo (1976)
  • Yala Safari (1976)
  • Wornel's Reef Hotel, Beruwala (1974)
  • University of Ceylon Physics and Chemistry buildings (1979)
  • Co-operative Wholesale Establishment, Colombo (1981)
  • Sripada National College of Education, Kotagala (1982-89)
Velayuthampillai Kandavel (acting)[18]-1969
In 1969 the Public Works Department was abolished and replaced with the Department of Buildings.[5]
Panini Tennekoon[21]1977-19795 February 192217 July 2007Colombo, Sri Lanka
Upali Iddawala[24]1997-19991940Ambepussa, Sri Lanka
Tamara Nandani Welikala Dayaratne
Menaka Mangalanantha (acting)[25]2017 - 2019
Ranathunga Arachchige Thushari Sajeewanee Ranathunga[26]2019–present

References

  1. ↑ Bingham, Percy Moore, ed. (1922). History of the Public Works Department, Ceylon, 1796 to 1913. Vol. 2. H. R. Cottle. p. 146.
  2. 1 2 Pieris, Anoma (2013). Architecture and Nationalism in Sri Lanka: The Trouser Under the Cloth. Routledge. p. 88. ISBN 9780415630023.
  3. ↑ Colonial Office (1881). "The Colonial Office List". London: Harrison: 72. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ↑ Choksy, Jamsheed K. (2007). "Iranians and Indians on the shores of Serendib (Sri Lanka)". In Hinnells, John; Williams, Allan (eds.). Parsis in India and the Diaspora. Routledge. pp. 194–195.
  5. 1 2 "Overview". Department of Buildings. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  6. ↑ "Design of All Saints Church, Galle Fort". All Saints' Church, Galle. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  7. ↑ "All Saints' Church". Galle Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  8. ↑ "The Architect". 5. Gilbert Wood. 1871: 58. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. 1 2 Wijesinghe, Dimthri (4 April 2021). "Grand Oriental Hotel: The first step of Colombo's Heritage Square". The Morning. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  10. ↑ Salie, Ryhanna (25 February 2018). "National Museum: Window into the past". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  11. ↑ Barczewski, Stephanie; Farr, Martin, eds. (2019). The MacKenzie Moment and Imperial History: Essays in Honour of John M. MacKenzie. Springer Nature. p. 103. ISBN 9783030244590.
  12. ↑ Hussein, Ameena. "Mumtaz Mahal, The Story of a House". The Nation. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  13. ↑ Sadanandan, Renuka; Hettiarachchi, Kumudini (2 December 2007). "Timeless Tintagel". Sunday Times. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  14. ↑ "Tintagel opens its doors". Sunday Island. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  15. ↑ Vithana, Shantha Kumara (4 February 2007). "59 years of Independence 1948 - 2007". Sunday Times. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  16. ↑ "About YMBA". Young Men's Buddhist Association. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  17. ↑ Anjalendran, C. (1997). "SLA Journal" (PDF). The Architectural Contribution of Dr. Justin Samarasekara. 101 (19): 19–23.
  18. ↑ Fergusons Ceylon Directory 1969-1970 (PDF). Colomb: Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. 1970. p. 74.
  19. ↑ Bergeron, Claude (1986). Canadian architectural periodicals index, 1940-1980. Presses Université Laval. ISBN 9782763770901.
  20. ↑ de Silva, Anouk, ed. (2022). "Publication to commemorate University of Moratuwa's 50 years of Excellence in Higher Education 1972 - 2022". University of Moratuwa.
  21. ↑ "Bandaranaike Samadhi, a symbol with deep meaning - Architect Panini Tennakoon". The Daily News. 21 July 2004. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  22. ↑ Brawne, Michael (4 January 1977). "Planning the National Library Building (technical report no. 2): Sri Lanka - (mission) 12 December 1976 - 4 January 1977". Unesdoc – via UNESDOC Digital Library.
  23. ↑ Sri Lanka. Colombo Public Library (1975). Corea, Ishvari (ed.). Libraries and People: Colombo Public Library : 1925-1975 : a Commemorative Volume. Colombo Public Library. p. 112.
  24. ↑ Ferguson's Sri Lanka Directory 1997-1999 (PDF). Colombo: Associated newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. 1999. p. 101.
  25. ↑ Department of Buildings - Annual Performance Report (PDF). Ministry of Housing and Construction. 2017. p. 6.
  26. ↑ Department of Buildings - Annual Performance Report (PDF). State Ministry of Rural Housing and Construction and Building Materials. 2021. p. 5.
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