Heritage

Historic Central Point Building in Colombo (ඓතිහාසික සෙන්ට්‍රල් පොයින්ට් ගොඩනැගිල්ල)

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Historic Central Point Building in Colombo

In front of the Central Bank building, where Janadhipathi Mawatha meets Chatham Street, lies the majestic Central Point Building built in 1914, now home to the Economic History Museum. This was then the tallest building in Colombo, boasting the tallest chandelier in Asia, spanning all five floors. It served as the office for the National Mutual Life Association of Australasia Limited, a global insurance company.

The five-story Central Point Building, facing Chatham Street in Colombo Fort, traces its origins back to the Dutch period of the 17th century. The present structure, however, was completed in 1914, following the architectural traditions of the time. This building was simply known by the name of its chief occupant, National Mutual Building. Its grandeur is highlighted by marble pillars, an elegant staircase with a hand-carved wooden handrail, and wall lamps that adorn the porch.

Inside, a rare ornamental chandelier extends dramatically up to the fifth floor, casting light across the grand veranda. When the building was opened, this was the tallest chandelier in Asia.

The building’s exterior features a blend of arches, hanging pillars, decorative engravings, and scrollwork. Its Greco-Roman influence is evident in the tall classical columns that rise from the first floor to the third floor with finely molded capitals. Large square windows and a continuous balcony on the upper levels are supported by finely molded decorative corbels.

Name “Central Point”

The name of the building is closely tied to another landmark that stands nearby—the Old Colombo Lighthouse, later converted into a clock tower. From its base, the distances from Colombo to every other part of the island were measured, earning the place the name Central Point. When the Central Bank of Sri Lanka acquired the building, this historic reference was adopted, and the name Central Point Building became official.

Shifting Ownership and Decline

Over the years, the building changed hands several times. Once owned by the National Mutual Life Association, it later passed through a number of commercial enterprises. However, tragedy struck in 1996 when the LTTE Tamil Tiger terrorists bombed Colombo Fort, leaving the Central Point Building badly damaged. For years afterward, it remained abandoned and was occasionally used as temporary barracks by the military.

Restoration and New Life

In 2011, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka acquired the property and began a meticulous restoration process. By 2013, the building had been reborn as the Economic History Museum of Sri Lanka. Today,

The grand chandelier of the Historic Central Point Building in Colombo

References

The Economic History Museum of Sri Lanka | Central Bank of Sri Lanka. (n.d.). Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Retrieved September 10, 2025, from https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/about/bank-premises/economic-history-museum
Shantha, R. D. A. (2022). Economic History Museum of Sri Lanka: Museum Guide (1st ed.). Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Welandawe, H., & Weerasinghe, J. (2016). Urban Heritage in the WRMPP. (unpublished)

Also See

Map of Historic Central Point Building

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Travelling Directions to Historic Central Point Building

Route from Colombo Fort to Historic Central Point Building
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