The old town hall is still standing though the paint is cracked and dry...

The historical old town hall building located at Pettah is another tourist attraction but urgently needs a colour wash.

The old town hall building was constructed in 1873 by then British Governor William Henry Gregory. The building which was built in the style of English architecture was constructed by Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar, a renowned architect and a mason of British Ceylon, who also built the Colombo Museum, General Post Office, the Galle Face Hotel, Victoria Arcade, the Clock Tower and many other pieces of architecture in Colombo.

The historic building is now used as a museum and houses old machinery, municipal vehicles, lamp posts, and a printing press.

The condition of the building does not look pretty as its roof leaks, is missing roofing tiles, and creepers have grown over it.

The external walls too are in need of a colour wash, while its ground floor is occupied by a few shops.

The official at the municipal council said that one of the major issues that would further delay the colour wash of the external walls of the building is the shops which refuse to close down.

He claimed that the delay of the colour wash was also due to the Department of Archeology taking time to approve their request and set up strict conditions to carry out the colour washing without damaging the walls. He added that the painting of the outer extremities of the building would take at least three weeks.

The official said they had not abandoned the building but are waiting until the rains are over to carry out external painting. He added that they are also planning to repair the roof of the building during the upcoming year after obtaining the funding. He said it has to be done according to the Archeology Department’s instructions, such as using the same material used during its initial build.

They plan to relocate the shop owners at the ground floor of the building and convert the building into a tourist attraction.