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Demolition of iconic Soysa building suspended pending discussions
The planned demolition of the iconic Soysa building in Slave Island has been suspended pending discussions between the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and the Department of Archaeology.
The UDA recently approved the levelling of the building despite pleas for it to be preserved as a historical monument.
The Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development informed Cabinet via a note that, as the edifice has still not been gazetted as a heritage building by the Department of Archaeology, there was no impediment to pulling it down. This would free up the land for Tata Housing Development Company Ltd to implement the next phase of its Slave Island mixed-used project.
But the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, helmed by Minister Sajith Premadasa, this week sent its own note to Cabinet requesting that implementation of the UDA’s decision be suspended pending talks with the Archaeology Department. This was acceded to.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Megapolis has now been directed to consult the Cultural Affairs Ministry and archaeology authorities and to revert to Cabinet through his Minister, Patali Champika Ranawaka.
Megapolis Secretary Nihal Rupasinghe earlier said the building was close to collapse and that there was no legal obstacle to tearing it down. Under law, any monument constructed before March 2, 1815, is automatically protected. But something erected after that date needs to be gazetted by the relevant minister.
Activists are campaigning more forcefully to have the Soysa building preserved. The beautiful Victorian edifice opposite the Slave Island railways station has, at 200 yards, the longest road frontage of any building in Sri Lanka of the same era.
Erected by the great philanthropist Charles Henry de Soysa, it was described by eminent architect Ismeth Raheem as “a remarkable gem of colonial architecture and century-old heritage building”. It is one of the earliest examples of shop houses in Sri Lanka; shops at the bottom, homes on top. Elsewhere in Asia, these rare structures are protected by strict regulations and are premium spaces for apartments and shops.
Senior Archaeology Department officials have repeatedly said they were “in the process” of having it listed as a protected monument under the Antiquities Ordinance.
Last year, the Legal Draftsman’s Department cleared the relevant gazette but it is now reportedly stuck at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, awaiting ministerial sanction.