A case for preserving our ‘Grand old dame’

Colombo, since its start as a colonial fort city, has evolved as the business capital of Sri Lanka over a period of five centuries. The growth and urban transformation of Colombo that has taken place during the decade from 2010 is significant as well as critical in the context of its built heritage. The awareness and consciousness which got built into society since the 1980s towards our built heritage has drastically deteriorated and, during the past, a number of significant architectural heritage buildings have been demolished to make way for a developer-led city.

The issues such as conflictive decision-making process, inaccurate or biased judgments, weak performance and engagements by relevant professionals are some noticeable aspects of the existing urban development and heritage protection agencies. Moreover, the nonexistence of public agencies having adequate power to look after the urban built heritage is also noted.

In this context, this book by Pali Wijeratne, is a comprehensive narrative on the Conservation of the Built Heritage of Colombo Fort. The author is an Architect, Town Planner and Heritage Conservator, with much experience in many disciplines. The book offers detailed knowledge on the existing built heritage of Colombo Fort and the procedures to be followed for the conservation of this national treasure.

It introduces Colombo Fort – though neglected and deteriorating, as one of the best examples of built heritage in South Asia, that has been developed for well over five centuries as a military fort, administrative capital, and currently the financial hub of Sri Lanka. The objective of the book is to revive this neglected resource. It establishes the value of justifying the position of the Colombo Fort as a dignified ‘Grand old dame’ of the country, for the future.

The book clearly states the need of conserving the Colombo Fort, as most parts of this built heritage are neither protected nor unknown to be protected and hence facing unsympathetic interventions. Conservation Theory that should be applied in safeguarding this heritage, educates related professionals in the practice, administration, and academia with deep definitions of Conservation, Preservation, Restoration, Reproduction, Pastiche, and Facadism. In extreme situations, conservation by relocation is exemplified as in the case ‘Nalanda Gedi Ge’ in Matale, where the original building was carefully relocated, and the materials were reused in the new location.

The origin and the evolution of the Colombo Fort, with its later enlargements, has been documented in detail. Much information such as the origin of Beira Lake, the emergence of Dutch Colombo, and then the formation of commercial centres, hotels, and institutional edifices are recorded. An action plan is proposed with potential heritage tourism avenues in the local context.

The unavailability of vacant land to keep the records of intangible forms of culture such as song, music, dance, drama, skills, cuisine, crafts, folklore, and cultural festivals that cannot be touched in an experiential form is discussed as an issue. However, three potential parcels of land falling vacant shortly are specified for consideration in the future. This is an important revelation.

A pictorial survey with the details of the origin and ownership of significant buildings in Colombo Fort is an asset to all who are dealing with the upliftment of this built environment. The streetscape survey with positive and negative examples in practice provides an outstanding lesson to all relevant practitioners. Current planning regulations on conservation regarding Antiquities Ordinance No. 09 of 1940 are discussed with its provisions on buildings, monuments, and sites. There, the listed buildings under the law, describing non-bailable offences of wilful damages to such buildings are noted, which are unknown to most. Surprisingly the list has only 14 buildings (p.139).

The need for an authority to protect the urban heritage sites is strongly emphasized. It states that the Conservation Legislation should be a part of it.

“…As the Planning Regulations now stands, there are many independent state organizations holding authority under different acts of parliament. All the acts refer to the need to conserve Sri Lanka’s built heritage, but none specify the directions to set about carrying out such actions in urban areas. This caused issues of taking any joint action on the subject and in implementing the responsibilities that each organization holds.” (p.152)

The book reiterates the complete powers of the Department of Archaeology under whose jurisdiction the Antiquities Ordinance comes. It emphasizes the responsibility of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) in this process of action.

“…It is the Urban Development Authority (UDA) that is responsible in the country to implement micro-level integrated development plans within its gazette areas. Therefore, any proposed conservation legislation for urban areas should come under the UDA but with the connivance of the Department of Archaeology. But in the long term, for the sake of integrated development principles of Urban Development, they should develop their own conservation management strategy that forms a part of the overall policy, and yet respect viewpoints of the Antiquities Ordinance and its implementing Authority when arriving at final decisions. (p. 152)

The book further states that the UDA must be able to cope with added responsibilities and proposes a separate unit within the planning department; ‘Heritage Conservation Foundation’ (HCF) to deal with the urban heritage of Sri Lanka. It proposes that this foundation is to be headed by the Chairman, UDA with an appointed chief executive who would preferably be an architect/conservator with an interest in planning law, and a specific board for management, implementation, and monitoring.

Amendments need to be introduced to the UDA Act to enable the formation of the Colombo Fort Heritage Trust, like the Galle Heritage Trust. UDA also needs to strengthen its staff capacity to ensure that they can undertake such an arduous task.

If these were in action, the old buildings of architectural interest such as the De Soysa building in Slave Island would have been preserved. Several buildings identified in the study as functioning as state buildings or private sector buildings are to be protected, the process is to be strictly guided and monitored.

For this purpose, the book is suggesting legitimizing interventions for conservation, Standards for Protection, Preservation, Rehabilitation, Restoration, and Reconstruction. Further, it highlights infill buildings, roads, traffic and pedestrianization, physical, environmental, and social infrastructure, street furniture including signage and lighting, landscape, roofscape, and relevant planning approvals. Qualified persons are well defined, and the developer’s responsibilities and even the selection criteria for a contractor are also underlined.

Finally, it proposes a management system for the process to be sustainable.

This book is recommended for students and teachers in academia related to architecture, planning, and conservation as well as the professionals in the authoritative bodies to structure how to do it. Since political strength is indispensable in the implementation of such interventions, those in the corridors of power must be duly informed of the significance of this living heritage.

‘Conservation of the Built Heritage of Colombo Fort’ is published by the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects and sponsored by CEG Education Holdings.

The book is available at all leading bookshops

Boof facts

CONSERVATION OF THE BUILT HERITAGE OF COLOMBO FORT- by Pali Wijeratne

Price: Rs. 5,500

Reviewed by Archt. Dr. Jeeva Wijesundara and Archt. Dr. Janaka Wijesundara