New British embassy ready by early 2008

British High Commissioner, Dominick Chilcott recently hosted the “topping out” ceremony for the new British High Commission building on Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.

Local dignitaries including officials from the Municipal Council and representatives of the Institute of Architects attended the ceremony, which marks the completion of the building’s structure. Work to complete the fitting out of the building will now commence, and the High Commission will be open in early 2008.

The new High Commission was designed by British architect Richard Murphy, produced with the collaboration of leading Sri Lankan architects, Milroy Perera, and is inspired by the greatest Sri Lankan architect of the modern era, Geoffrey Bawa. The design will minimise impact on the environment, encouraging the use of natural cooling rather than air conditioning.

At the ceremony the High Commissioner said:
“….this new High Commission is a statement of intent.
Our intent to remain committed to Sri Lanka’s future and to the work of the British Government in Sri Lanka. It is very exciting that the project has progressed this far. The end is almost in sight. I am confident that by the time of Sri Lanka’s 60th anniversary of independence, we shall have a beautiful, energy-saving new building of which Britain and Sri Lanka can feel proud.”

The “Topping out” celebrations are an important tradition in new construction projects, and can be traced back to ancient European customs. They normally involve a dignitary undertaking the final piece of work on a building’s structure -- in this case the High Commissioner laid the final piece of concrete to complete the floor.

The celebrations are a way to mark the creation of a new building, to thank workers for their efforts, and to wish safety for those continuing to work on the buildings completion., according to a British High Commission statement.