The building was built in the late eighteenth century, probably by the British,[2] but possibly by the Dutch.

The open-sided market building was constructed in a 'T' shape, with the upper bars of the T running parallel with the road and providing the entrance.

[4] The pitched roof is tiled in red Sinhala Kandyan period clay tiles (peti-ulu) and supported by large white stone pillars.

The supporting wooden frame of the roof is elaborate and edged with lavish latticework.

The stem of the T was mostly likely to have been used for the sale of textiles and household items.