The Chief Architect was a position created in 1865 by Governor Hercules Robinson and the Executive Council of Ceylon to design and oversee the construction of public buildings across Ceylon.
[1] Previously the Public Works Department, which was established in 1849 was managed by British engineers.
[2][3] The position was retained following the country's independence in 1948 however it was not until the appointment of Homi Billimoria in 1953, that a Ceylonese architect assumed the role.
[5] The department was established as the sole authority and consultancy institution in the construction of government buildings.
In 1977 the position of Chief Architect was re-instated, with the appointment of Panini Tennekoon.