Old Clock Tower Lighthouse in Colombo (කොලඹ පැරණි ප්‍රදීපාගාරය)

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Old Lighthouse in Colombo — Creative Commons photo by Dennis S. Hurd

This Old Clock Tower Lighthouse is not operational anymore, but functions as a clock tower and is designated as a monument. It is located at the junction of Chatham Street and Janadhipathi Mawatha (formally Queens Road) in Colombo Fort.

The location had been used as a lighthouse station as far back as 1829. The tower was first constructed as a clock tower in 1857, two years before the Big Ben of London. The ‘Big Ben’ in London celebrated its centenary on May 31, 1959, and the Chatham Street clock tower celebrated its century on February 25, 1957. This clock tower was designed by Lady Ward in association with Governor Henry Ward. The arduous task of construction was entrusted to J. F. Churchill of the Public Works Department.(Paranavitana, 2022)

As the tablet inside the tower arch confirms, construction was completed on February 25, 1857. It was handed over to the citizens of Colombo the following month. The clock which had been imported in 1814 ultimately got a permanent house in 1857. After another 50 years, in 1907, the clock gave trouble and was replaced with the present machine.(Paranavitana, 2022)

The clock tower started in the dual role of being a lighthouse equipped with oil lamps in 1867, 10 years after its construction. This was further improved with dioptic flashlights installed in 1885. In 1897, oil lamps were replaced with gas lamps. The brightest beam from the lighthouse flashed across the Indian Ocean to an approximate distance of 16 miles. The fascinating pattern of tiled glasses magnified the stream of lights across the sea. The dioptric flashlight was replaced in 1932 with a 1500 candle power electric bulb. Paranavitana, 2022)

The lighthouse was deactivated after its light became obscured by nearby buildings and was decommissioned in 1952 with a new lighthouse being built in Galbokka Point, Colombo.

References

Paranavitana, K., 2022. The Big Ben of Colombo – the Chatham Street clock tower. [online] Sundaytimes.lk. Available at: <https://www.sundaytimes.lk/060625/plus/plus13.0.html> [Accessed 31 May 2022].

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Map of Old Clock Tower Lighthouse in Colombo

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Travel Directions to Old Clock Tower Lighthouse in Colombo

Route from Colombo to Old Clock Tower Lighthouse in Colombo

distance : 1.8 km
Travel time : 5 minutes
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References

Also See

Map of Old Clock Tower Lighthouse in Colombo

Travel Directions to Old Clock Tower Lighthouse in Colombo

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