Sri Lanka’s history, intricately interwoven with the legacies of Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial rule, is often a major draw for tourism, offering visitors – foreigners and locals alike – the chance to explore marvels of architecture and historical sites, as well as explore its culture, especially in cities such as Galle, Colombo, and Kandy.
In order to expand this potential, authorities have decided to repurpose colonial-era buildings such as post offices into tourism attractions while ensuring their historical significance is preserved, while retaining their primary function as offices.
Officials have noted that some renovation is necessary in order to preserve the colonial element of these buildings owing to the fact that some of these buildings may have been depleted over the years, which could take a considerable amount of time for the project to reach fruition. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), in collaboration with various experts, is currently in the planning phase of this project.
Heritage conservation with a modern purpose
Previously in 2023, authorities had considered turning post offices into hotels as an effort to utilise historic buildings for foreign exchange earning purposes. Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe cautioned that if timely action to renovate and restore the buildings was not taken, they would deteriorate in a manner similar to that of the Galle Fort Post Office.
However, speaking to The Sunday Morning, SLTDA Chairperson Buddhika Hewawasam emphasised that their main focus was not to transform the buildings into hotels. “Accommodation is one of the last options to consider,” he said.
This is partly because transforming such buildings into hotels will require them being completely repurposed, which would hinder the preservation of their historical value. Instead, these buildings are to serve as cafés, restaurants, or cultural venues while maintaining their primary functions.
“We have a rich colonial heritage which is not limited to just post offices. It includes irrigation bungalows, railway stations, and more,” Hewawasam said, adding that it was necessary to repurpose these sites for more effective use, while preserving their historical value and making them attractive destinations.
Additionally, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Chaminda Ranasinghe reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to preserving the colonial essence of these buildings while making them attractive tourist destinations. He likened this approach to historical sites in London, where heritage buildings retained their primary function alongside tourism activities.
Carefully structured plan
According to Hewawasam, the initiative is still in its early planning stages with architects, historians, archaeologists, tourism experts, and interior designers forming a specialised tourism development panel. He revealed that the first project could take six to seven months before reaching the market.
He further stressed the importance of creating sustainable guidelines to govern these developments, ensuring that preservation efforts did not lead to uncontrolled commercialisation.
The Government is considering various funding mechanisms, including contributions from donor agencies and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Fund, which receives a 1% levy from tourism revenue.
While Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) may play a role, Hewawasam clarified that if private entities were to operate businesses within these buildings, it would be under strict Government guidelines.
Positioning SL’s tourism identity
Authorities are looking at a holistic and strategic method to refine and promote colonial heritage as a means of promoting tourism.
Hewawasam cited Galle Fort as a successful example of colonial heritage preservation, stressing the importance of looking at postal and railway heritage in a comprehensive manner, rather than simply converting individual buildings into cafés or hotels.
“This is a much deeper subject; it is about positioning Sri Lanka’s tourism identity and deciding what kind of tourism we want to promote and develop across the country,” he said.
These spaces would also include cultural exhibitions and interactive displays in addition to cafés and restaurants.
Hewawasam pointed out that many heritage buildings, including museums in Europe, served as venues for award ceremonies and fashion shows, making them dynamic spaces rather than static historical sites.
“Similarly, this is something we have been looking at. People now seek unique locations for events; whether it is a birthday party or a special occasion, they want a setting that stands apart from conventional venues,” he explained.
Addressing concerns about accessibility, he emphasised that these attractions would be open to both local and foreign tourists without discrimination. While European tourists may have a historical connection to colonial heritage, Sri Lanka aims to market these sites to a broader audience, recognising their photogenic appeal and immersive experience for all visitors.
Balancing preservation and sustainability
Hewawasam highlighted the deteriorating state of some post offices which were not in use. “Sites like the Nuwara Eliya Post Office, located at the heart of the city, and other Government-owned historical buildings remain underutilised despite their architectural and cultural significance,” he pointed out.
Therefore, it is necessary to use them for revenue generation to their fullest potential, while preserving their historical value.
Nevertheless, when refurbishing historical sites into tourist attractions, it is also necessary to ascertain their protection against vandalism. However, the SLTDA Chairperson stated that over-preservation was not a viable solution. If left unused, colonial buildings will deteriorate over time due to a lack of maintenance funds.
Broader effort at expanding tourism
The Deputy Minister also highlighted a broader tourism development plan. In collaboration with the Clean Sri Lanka project, the Government aims to identify and upgrade 200 lesser-known destinations across the country.
This initiative, with an estimated investment of Rs. 1 billion, over the next 7-12 months, seeks to expand tourism beyond Colombo and a few key locations. “We also aim to bring significant development to the northeast,” Ranasinghe stated, emphasising the importance of expanding tourism infrastructure nationwide.
The country’s tourism vision being centred on an inclusive and sustainable tourism economy ensures that development benefits a wider range of regions rather than being concentrated in select urban areas.
Meanwhile, authorities have planned to establish a museum near the Sri Lanka Post Headquarters to reflect Sri Lanka’s postal heritage. Ranasinghe clarified that it would be exclusively managed by the Central Cultural Fund (CCF).