Sri Lanka is one of the nations that was heavily influenced by colonialism, with three distinct colonizers hegemonizing the island nation for its critical location in the vicinity of the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka’s strategic location served as a vital characteristic that garnered traders from across the globe. The island’s endemic spices and crops were also the main points of interest for European colonizers to covet the tropical island. 

Three main European powers historically colonized Sri Lanka: the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, each of them seizing the country at separate points in time. Each colonizer has etched their effects on Sri Lanka’s history in countless ways namely in architecture, farming, culture, language, and whatnot. 

In today’s blog, we’ll be focusing on the mesmerizing architectural legacy left behind in Sri Lanka by its past settlers and how they persist in remaining as some of the most frequently visited destinations by tourists. 

A Sneak Peek Into Sri Lanka’s Colonial History

It’s essential that we delve into Sri Lanka’s colonial past to familiarize how each colonial power captured Sri Lanka and brought about their architectural establishments, religious, linguistic, and cultural influences, as well as education and judiciary systems.

As we mentioned above, Sri Lanka was colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch, and the British. Let’s explore what each of them introduced to Sri Lanka and how their colonial heritage shaped the bygone and contemporary days of Sri Lanka. 

The Portuguese Colonial Rule: 1505 – 1658

The Portuguese arrival in Sri Lanka can be claimed as a happy accident, to them that was and they governed Sri Lanka the longest which was nearly 153 years. Initially, the Portuguese were more inquisitive about Sri Lanka’s trade routes and commerce rather than territorial occupation. The indispensable commodity the Portuguese were after was cinnamon, an endemic spice to Sri Lanka that was mass-produced and considered highly valuable. The Portuguese utilized the internal rivalry among Sinhalese kingdoms and political turmoil as leverage to occupy Sri Lanka’s significant trading routes.

The Portuguese gained control of much of Sri Lanka’s coastal areas which enabled them to boost trading lines with other nations. In the cities of Jaffna, Mannar, Galle, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, etc the Portuguese built fortified cities, particularly in the surrounding areas of the shoreline. 

Besides architecture, the Portuguese introduced Roman Catholicism to Sri Lanka which had a massive influence on Sri Lanka’s tradition which continues to do so even today since most Sri Lankans carry surnames of Portuguese origin. The Portuguese inaugurated most of the architecture in Sri Lanka which depicts their construction prowess. Most of the colonial edifices built by the Portuguese were later on reconstructed by the Dutch. 

The Dutch Colonial Rule: 1658 – 1796

The presence of the Dutch in Sri Lanka was nothing short of a tactical approach carried out by the king of the Kandyan Kingdom. The Dutch were invited by the king to oust the oppressive Portuguese settlers and they eventually became the protectors and the ruling power of the majority of Sri Lanka.

The Dutch were keen on coastal areas just as the Portuguese were and they captured most of the Tamil-predominant provinces in Sri Lanka. As mentioned above, the forts constructed by the Portuguese were renovated by the Dutch. 

One of the most iconic heritages that serve as reminiscent of the Dutch colonial power is the Galle Fort. Despite the Portuguese inaugurating the construction of the Galle Fort, the development brought about by the Dutch seems more prominent.

The Dutch, unlike the Portuguese, didn’t stop at building forts. They displayed their competency in construction by establishing edifices like hospitals, churches, prisons, warehouses, and even houses that represented the Dutch style. A startling fact about Dutch architecture in Sri Lanka is that most of them remain intact to this day, even after centuries. 

The impact of Dutch colonialism in Sri Lanka became prevalent in other categories including religion, culture, cuisine, and, language. 

The British Colonial Rule: 1796 – 1948

The largest empire in history also conquered Sri Lanka and ruled almost the entirety of the island nation for 152 years. Sri Lanka was referred to as “Ceylon” during the British colonial rule. Sri Lanka underwent massive transformations in terms of trade, agriculture, language, governance, architecture, and whatnot. 

Ceylon was one of the richest countries in Asia under the governance of the British East India Company. This was due to the plantation and trade of crops such as tea, rubber, coconut, coffee, etc. The British also introduced police and judiciary systems, schools, cricket, maternity homes, hospitals, and a compendium of other services. 

The British had their fair share of building infrastructure in Sri Lanka as well. Since the 

British prioritized trading, they constructed roads, railways, hotels, cottages, etc. They further developed the ports located in the coastal areas and instilled their legacy by architecting buildings across Colombo and other parts of Sri Lanka. 

You can still witness the colonial buildings constructed by the British across Sri Lanka which are well preserved to this day. 

Colonial Architectures To Explore In Sri Lanka

We’ve curated a list of colonial architectures that were constructed by the colonizers of Sri Lanka that remain the central point of attention for tourists and locals alike. Exploring these colonial buildings is bound to offer you a look back at how invincible these colonial powers once were and how their architectural style differed from one another.

The Cargills & Millers Building

The name Cargills innately reminds every Sri Lankan of the supermarket but not many are aware that Cargills started as a wholesale import business launched by David Sime Cargill and William Miller in 1844 when Sri Lanka was under British governorate. The office of Cargills and Miller’s was set up in York Street, Colombo Fort. 

Although a Dutch military commander initially owned the building, it was occupied by Sri Lanka’s first British Governor, Sir Frederick North and subsequently the premises were later acquired by Cargills. 

It’s the signature red and white Victorian-style building in Colombo that displays the archaic architectural sophistication of the British Empire. Unfortunately, there are not many Victorian-era buildings left to explore in Colombo. Thus the Cargills and Millers building represents its alluring structure and remains currently one of the most easily recognized buildings in Colombo.

Presently, the Cargills and Millers building houses an array of shops, supermarkets, department stores, and restaurants as well. Just taking a stroll by this picturesque colonial structure is bound to make you feel like you’ve arrived in London. The fact that the Cargills and Millers building still retains its grandeur even after centuries is a testament that the British architects placed a great emphasis on building standards.

The Dutch Hospital

The Dutch Hospital which was once known as The Old Colombo Dutch Hospital was established as a hospital in the 17th century by the Dutch East India Company. The Dutch Hospital was strategically built in proximity to the Colombo Harbour. Thus the main purpose of the Dutch Hospital was to tend to staff, seafarers, and officers who served under the Dutch East India Company. An intriguing fact about the Dutch Hospital is that it’s considered to be the oldest establishment in Colombo.

Gazing at the marvel of the Dutch Hospital and its seventeenth-century architectural urbanity would give you an insight into how the hospital used to be. The Dutch Hospital has five wings and two courtyards and the walls are said to be 50cm thick, a common aspect of colonial Dutch buildings in Colombo. 

Currently, the Dutch Hospital operates as a precinct that houses multiple clothing stores, coffee shops, and restaurants that most tourists love to explore. The courtyards in the Dutch Hospital are a favorite spot for netizens to click pictures for their social media. This is an iconic colonial building you should never miss if you’re traversing across Colombo. 

The Queen’s Hotel

The Queen’s Hotel is a colonial building located in Kandy, in the central province of Sri Lanka. After Colombo, Kandy was intensely influenced by colonialism and became one of the vital spots for the construction of colonial architecture by the British Empire. The Queen’s Hotel is one such establishment that was built 160 years ago.  

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Originally, the premises of the Queen’s Hotel was the mansion of the Governor of Ceylon which was later converted to a barracks and boarding house for British troops. The structure of the Queen’s Hotel is unique because it’s constructed by adjoining two buildings. Contemporarily, the Queen’s Hotel functions as a 3-star hotel that provides colonial-style accommodation. It consists of 80 rooms that are equipped with antique types of furniture, taking you back to the era of British Ceylon.

The dining area, bathrooms, and even the swimming pool in the Queen’s Hotel maintain the elements of antiquity. The Queen’s Hotel is situated not too far away from Kandy Lake, Udawattekele National Forest, and the Temple of Tooth Relic. Thus making this an ideal destination for tourists who are seeking to navigate seamlessly across Kandy.

The Negombo Fort

The fort in Negombo doesn’t receive much fame as most forts likely due to its compact size. However, it served as a vital fort for the Portuguese who constructed the fort to defend Colombo from other colonial powers. 

The Negombo Fort was initially a small and weak establishment that the Dutch successfully captured from the Portuguese. The Negombo Dutch Fort, as it’s presently known is located in the Negombo Lagoon, in a tiny strip of land.

After the British captured the fort in 1796, the fort was obliterated and reconstructed into a prison. Only the Northern and Southern ends of the Negombo Fort remain intact to this day after the British demolished much of the Fort. However, the prison still operates to this day. 

Since its proximity to the teeming zones of tourism in Negombo, the Negombo Fort essentially serves as an area of interest among tourists. There’s no doubt this colonial structure nevertheless displays the harsh realities of colonialism and power.

The Galle Fort

This is the most renowned fort in all of Sri Lanka that’s situated on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. The Galle Fort also referred to as the Dutch Fort was initially constructed by the Portuguese in 1588 as a plain fortification. Subsequently, the Dutch captured the fort in the 17th century and carried out intense alterations. The Dutch Fort in Galle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the colonial site perfectly portrays the influence of European hegemony in South and Southeast Asia. The colonialism legacy of the Galle Fort is still alive within its walls and its impeccable structure is awe in and of itself. 

What sets apart the Galle Fort from the rest of the colonial structures across Sri Lanka is the fact that almost every aspect of it remains preserved to this day. Even the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami caused minimal to no damage to the Galle Fort whereas the entirety of the Galle City was devastated. 

Touring across the Galle Fort grants you an opportunity to also take in the flabbergasting view of the Galle coastline. The high-rise walls of the fort, clear beaches, and the greenery in the surroundings are everything you need in a tourist destination.

Everything You Need To Know About The Galle Face Hotel and Its Legendary Past- can we have different title. ( ex:- What you need to know about galle face hotel )

The Galle Face Hotel is one of the well-known colonial architectures located on the coastline of Colombo. The name Galle Face Hotel derives its name from Galle Face Green the beach that neighbors the hotel. Originally, the premise was a Dutch Villa that was called the Galle Face House where officers during the colonial period of Sri Lanka hang out for leisure.

During the British colonization of Sri Lanka, the villa was transformed into a hotel. The Galle Face Hotel features in the list of 1000 Places To See Before You Die and this is your cue to stop by the iconic colonial-era hotel. The structure of the hotel remains unchanged whereas the interior underwent vast modifications.  

The Galle Face Hotel flaunts its colonial history by displaying its rich past in a built-in museum. This is where you’ll find memorabilia and pictures of the most famous and infamous guests who have visited the Galle Face Hotel.

FAQs

1. How did British colonialism affect Sri Lanka’s society and culture?

The British colonial era brought about a massive reform in Sri Lanka’s society and culture through the construction of countless infrastructures that remain strong to this day. Some of the most famous colonial architecture in Sri Lanka that are major points of interest are the Galle Fort, the Dutch Hospital, the Queen’s Hotel, and the Cargills and Millers Building. 

2. What is the British Heritage of Sri Lanka?

The British Heritage of Sri Lanka that is still cherished by the Sri Lankans are the English language and the colonial architecture the British had left for Sri Lanka. Although most of the colonial architecture in Sri Lanka was originally constructed by the Portuguese, the British invested more in refurbishing these edifices to match their style.

3. What were the effects of colonization in Sri Lanka?

Colonization altered Sri Lankan society by introducing Western culture, ideals, language, education, religion, and even architecture. Some of the few aspects of British colonialism prevalent across Sri Lanka are colonial-style buildings such as hotels, forts, and churches. 

4. Which is an example of British cultural influence on Sri Lanka?

The British massively influenced the culture of Sri Lanka in multiple ways such as the establishment of colonial buildings across the island nation. Some of the prominent British colonial establishments in Sri Lanka are the Cargills and Miller Building and the Galle Face Hotel.