5/5 Kasun P. 10 years ago on Google
THE
CENTRAL
POINT
BUILDING
The
Central
Point
building,
with
its
stately
Corinthian
columns,
large
window
panels,
circular
glass
dome,
and
marble
cladded
interior,
which
continues
to
add
lustre
and
charm
to
the
landscape
of
Colombo.
This
picturesque
building
was
designed
by
Walker
and
Adams,
Architects
and
construction
was
done
by
the
Ralph
McDonald
Company.
It
was
opened
in
1914,
as
the
branch
office
of
the
National
Mutual
Life
Association
of
Australasia
Limited,
an
Insurance
company
based
in
Australia.
It
was
considered
the
tallest
building
in
Colombo
in
1914,
and
in
the
decade
following.
Today,
it
would
undoubtedly
be
a
construction
that
many
historians
would
find
of
immense
interest
and
value,
as
it
exhibits
a
blend
of
cultures,
traditions,
lifestyles,
customs,
livelihood
activities
and
architecture
took
place
within
the
bustling
coastal
city.
In
1973,
the
Cooperative
Wholesale
Establishment
of
Sri
Lanka
(CWE)
acquired
this
building
from
the
National
Mutual
Life
Association
of
Australasia
Ltd.
In
1996,
its
interior
was
very
badly
impaired
as
a
result
of
the
massive
terrorist
bomb
blast
that
occurred
at
the
Central
Bank
premises,
and
had
been
in
a
highly
dilapidated
state
until
2011,
at
which
time
the
Central
Bank
acquired
it
from
the
CWE.
Immediately
thereafter,
the
Central
Bank
started
the
restoration
of
the
building,
making
every
possible
endeavour
to
preserve
the
architectural
and
archaeological
value
of
the
property,
while
also
giving
it
the
name
“The
Central
Point
Building”,
as
it
is
known
today.
The
new
name
suits
agreeably,
as
the
building
is
located
opposite
the
historic
Clock
Tower
of
Colombo,
which
is
considered
the
“Central
Point"
of
the
island's
road
network.
As
a
tribute
to
the
architectural,
archaeological
and
economic
importance
of
this
historic
building,
the
Central
Bank
has
established
the
first
ever
“Economic
History
Museum
of
Sri
Lanka”
at
this
celebrated
landmark.
-
Communications
Department,
Central
Bank
of
Sri
Lanka
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