The Lighthouse, Colombo
Encyclopedia
The Lighthouse is a large bungalow
(as mansions are referred to locally) in Colombo
, Sri Lanka
. At present it is own by the Sri Lankan Government and houses the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies
.
Located in the Cinnamon Gardens
a suburb of Colombo, it was built by Mr. D. D. Peiris, contemporaneity style with a mixture of early twentieth century Ceylon architecture and British colonial architecture. It was acquired by the British
Board of Trade
in 1933 and was home to the Imperial Lighthouse Service
of Ceylon and Minicoy
until 1976, when it along with all of the lighthouses run by the Imperial Lighthouse Service was transferred to the Sri Lanka Navy. Since the Navy came under the overview of the Ministry of External Affairs and Defence
, when the ministry was split in 1977 the house was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
.
Since then it has been used for many functions, including serving as the official residence of then Lt Col
Ranjan Wijeratne
Minister of Foreign Affairs until his assassination. Since 2006 it has been used for the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies.
Bungalow
A bungalow is a type of house, with varying meanings across the world. Common features to many of these definitions include being detached, low-rise , and the use of verandahs...
(as mansions are referred to locally) in Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. At present it is own by the Sri Lankan Government and houses the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies
Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies
Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies is a Sri Lankan research institute in the area of international affairs. Inaugurated on 10 August 2006 it is named after Lakshman Kadirgamar a former Minister of Foreign Affairs. Its current Director-General is C.A.N....
.
Located in the Cinnamon Gardens
Cinnamon Gardens
Cinnamon Gardens is a suburb in Colombo, Sri Lanka located 3 kilometers south-east from Colombo city centre. Cinnamon Gardens is named from the former Cinnamon plantation in this area. In the year 1789, there were of Cinnamon trees in Cinnamon Gardens...
a suburb of Colombo, it was built by Mr. D. D. Peiris, contemporaneity style with a mixture of early twentieth century Ceylon architecture and British colonial architecture. It was acquired by the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Board of Trade
Board of Trade
The Board of Trade is a committee of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, originating as a committee of inquiry in the 17th century and evolving gradually into a government department with a diverse range of functions...
in 1933 and was home to the Imperial Lighthouse Service
Imperial Lighthouse Service
The Imperial Lighthouse Service was the official General Lighthouse Authority for the British Empire. This was with the exception of England, Wales, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands, which were under the authority of Trinity House...
of Ceylon and Minicoy
Minicoy
Minicoy, locally known as Maliku is a census town in the Indian union territory of Lakshadweep and was formerly a part of Maldive Islands.-Etymology:...
until 1976, when it along with all of the lighthouses run by the Imperial Lighthouse Service was transferred to the Sri Lanka Navy. Since the Navy came under the overview of the Ministry of External Affairs and Defence
Ministry of External Affairs and Defence
The Ministry of External Affairs and Defence was a ministry of the Government of Ceylon that conducted and managed all of Ceylon's relations with other countries and its military matters from 1947 to 1977.-History:...
, when the ministry was split in 1977 the house was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Sri Lanka)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a ministry of the Government of Sri Lanka that conducts and manages Sri Lanka's relations with other countries...
.
Since then it has been used for many functions, including serving as the official residence of then Lt Col
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Ranjan Wijeratne
Ranjan Wijeratne
General Ranjan Wijeratne was the former Sri Lankan Cabinet Minister of foreign affairs, Minister of State for defense and Minister of plantation industries from 1989 to 1991 in President Ranasinghe Premadasa's cabinet.-Early life:Born to Walpola Mudalige George Hercules Wijeratne and Rosalind...
Minister of Foreign Affairs until his assassination. Since 2006 it has been used for the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies.