Categories: Headlines

Bogambara prison becomes cultural, tourism centre

The Bogambara prison premises will be converted into a cultural and tourism centre under the government’s programme of developing Kandy as a tourism hub, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

He was participating in an inspection tour of the prison premises yesterday.

These development activities will be conducted under the guidance and blessings of the Chief Prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters, the Premier said.

The Bogambara prison was built by the British in the 19th century and in 2013, the government decided to close the prison complex. Serving inmates were transferred to a new prison complex in Pallekelle. There were proposals to establish a cultural centre to conserve the historical values of the Kandyan Kingdom.

Under the new development plan, Bogambara Prison premises will be converted under three phases and a park will be constructed under the first phase of the project at the total cost of Rs 400 million. The other two phases will be conducted with Japanese financial assistance.

Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickreme, Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella and Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam also participated.

A sketch of the complex.

Lankanewspapers

Recent Posts

LNP – CSE dips again amid ongoing global trade tensions

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) extended its losses as uncertainty over global tariff negotiations continued…

4 hours ago

LNP – Excise earns record revenue of Rs.61Bn in 2025 first quarter

One of the three main revenue-generating arms of the country and the competent authority regulating…

4 hours ago

LNP – Cut our tax to 6% or drop tariffs to counter US move: Kalugamage

The best and only solution to the new tax rate imposed by the US is…

4 hours ago

LNP – China to impose 34% retaliatory tariff on all goods imported from US

China on Friday announced a slew of additional tariffs and restrictions against U.S. goods as…

23 hours ago

LNP – Passenger arrested with mobile phones worth over Rs. 100 mln at BIA

A 32-year-old individual from Kattankudy in Batticaloa was arrested this morning (04) by the officers…

24 hours ago

LNP – Apparel sector in jeopardy as US slaps new reciprocal tariff

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector, the country’s largest export industry, is bracing for a major setback…

1 day ago