A stately open-pavilion monument commemorating Sri Lanka's independence, set in the gardens of Cinnamon Gardens.

Overview

Independence Memorial Hall is a grand ceremonial pavilion built in the style of a Kandyan royal audience hall, ringed by carved stone lions and columns. It stands at the head of Independence Square, a popular spot for evening walks and jogs, with the Independence Memorial Museum housed in the arcade beneath.

History

The hall was built to commemorate Sri Lanka's independence from British rule on 4 February 1948, on the site where the formal ceremony transferring power took place. A statue of the first prime minister, D. S. Senanayake, the 'Father of the Nation', stands before it.