If Singapore can retain old buildings why can’t Sri Lanka?
I live in a modern high-tech developed country which still treasures the old pre and post war heritage buildings.
Reading the news in your newspaper that the UDA has granted permission to a foreign investor to demolish and destroy the 100-year-old heritage Soysa building in Slave Island, in the heart of Colombo is saddening.
It was suprising to note that UDA has failed to understand the importance of preserving this heritage building.
The Cultural Affairs Minister and head of the Archaeological Department should seriously take necessary action to immediately gazette and safeguard this beautiful Soysa building as a national monument and cancel the UDA decision to demolish.
Its present dilapidated condition should not be an excuse to demolish it. Instead a good team of architects and structural engineers experienced in conservation and restoration works could restore the Soysa Building to look like what it was 100 years ago.
As architect Raheem mentioned, elsewhere in the world there are many similar conserved and restored buildings standing in good condition.
Singapore is one country which strictly believes in retaining and conserving all heritage buildings. Singapore has very good conservation guidelines and principles for all heritage buildings restoration.
Sri Lanka is not a land scarce country like Singapore. As such the proposed housing scheme should be located elsewhere.
I hope and pray that this heritage building will be rescued from the sledge hammer of the politicians’ whims and fancies. Hosney Fathah Singapore