Architecture of Sri Lanka

[3] Techniques and styles developed in Europe, transported to the country via colonialism, also played a major role in the architecture of Sri Lanka later on.

The roof and walls were plastered white and finished with decorative paintings, these are evident in the cave temples of Dambulla.

The pillars on either side of the vahalkada carry figures of lions, elephants, horses or bulls, depending on the direction of the structure.

The items used included lime, clay, sand, pebbles, crushed seashells, sugar syrup, white of egg, coconut water, plant resin, drying oil, glues and possibly even the saliva of white ants.

For example, the old town of Galle and its fortifications built by the Dutch in the year 1663 make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, architects like Geoffrey Bawa and Minnette de Silva were leading trends in what is today known globally as ‘Tropical Modernism’.

The style emphasizes bringing together elements from different times and places in order to create something new and original, with a local aesthetic.

Older Sri Lankan influences, like reflecting pools, colonnaded passages, and terra-cotta-tiled roofs, are fused with the modernist emphasis of flowing spaces and clean lines.

[8][9] Today, tropical modernist architecture can also be found in Brazil, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Ghana among other places.

[10][11][12][13] Bawa's legacy is felt in the work of many Sri Lankan architects, who continue the traditions of Tropical Modernism.

[7] By the 2000s and 2010s, there was also a presence of postmodernism, creating modern monumental architecture, through the incorporation of historical Sri Lankan cultural elements to convey meaning and context.

The Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre in Colombo, by Kahawita De Silva & Associates,[14][15] is an example of using a historical landscape design feature, the Nelum Pokuna in Polonnaruwa, to create a modern national monument to celebrate the country's arts.

Several of buildings that are proposed/under-construction like the Altair Residential Towers,[16] Krrish Square[17] and ITC Colombo One[18] have postmodern architectural designs.

By the 2010s the idea of Sustainable architecture has appeared in Sri Lanka, the 186m(610 ft) tall Clear Point Residencies building which is expected to be the world's tallest vertical garden and use harvested rainwater, recycled bathroom sink and shower water with a drip irrigation system to water the plants.