Built in front of the Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo, Sri Lanka, it is the meeting place for the elected municipal council.

In 1922 the Colombo Municipal Council held an international architectural design competition and in November that year of the 32 plans submitted, the winning design was drawn by S. J. Edwards, of the architectural firm Ralph Booty & Co.[2] In awarding the prize the Government Architect of the Ceylon Public Works Department, Austin Woodeson, wrote: "The buildings are admirably laid out on the site; the outbuildings are well secluded, but very accessible.

The general disposition of the departments and rooms is excellent and most convenient for access, circulation and inter-communicable both for the public and staff.

The perspective view shows a very impressive group of buildings crowned by a dome and tower of fine proportions.

[6] The cost of the new town hall was met largely by revenue generated by the Council, without taking out any loans from the central government and as a result, for years Municipal finances were depleted.

Edwards' design draws heavily from L'Enfant's neoclassical style Capitol Building in Washington, D. C. The Council chamber is located in the centre of the block on the first floor surmounted by a dome.