Pioneers in the revival of rare architectural designs in the country, to be in parallel with ongoing city beautification project of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, left a one more landmark in Colombo this morning (3) when troops handed back the Army-renovated university’s central building of imperial value, popularly known as ‘Mathematics building’ at the University of Colombo to its authorities.
First Lady, Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa as the Chief Guest, together with the project mentor, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, Vice Chancellor, Head of Department, Department of Mathematics, re-opened the beautifully done two-storied building at the Faculty of Science that traces its history back to the year 1835. It has remained in a dilapidated state, although its outlook was intact for the last couple of years.
More than 100 troops of the 6 Engineer Service Regiment (ESR) of Sri Lanka Army who tirelessly worked all days, including weekends, holidays, Poya Days on an average of 10-12 hours per day, succeeded in completing the project within a matter of 13 months.
Donating their precious labour and priceless expertise, those soldiers preserved and restored the pristine architectural design, crafted by colonial masters in the building and brought its old outward appearance back with no labour cost to the university. Restoration work began in earnest in December 2012 on the directions of Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
First Lady at the invitation of university authorities unveiled a special plaque and declared the renovated building, opened amidst a host of guests and undergraduates at the invitation of university authorities.
The entire cost of the raw materials used for renovation purposes exceeded Rs 3.1 billion without labour cost whereas Rs 5.8 million, worth furniture was donated by lecturers after the project got underway.
First Lady, Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa as the Chief Guest, together with the project mentor, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, Vice Chancellor, Head of Department, Department of Mathematics, re-opened the beautifully done two-storied building at the Faculty of Science that traces its history back to the year 1835. It has remained in a dilapidated state, although its outlook was intact for the last couple of years.
More than 100 troops of the 6 Engineer Service Regiment (ESR) of Sri Lanka Army who tirelessly worked all days, including weekends, holidays, Poya Days on an average of 10-12 hours per day, succeeded in completing the project within a matter of 13 months.
Donating their precious labour and priceless expertise, those soldiers preserved and restored the pristine architectural design, crafted by colonial masters in the building and brought its old outward appearance back with no labour cost to the university. Restoration work began in earnest in December 2012 on the directions of Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
First Lady at the invitation of university authorities unveiled a special plaque and declared the renovated building, opened amidst a host of guests and undergraduates at the invitation of university authorities.
The entire cost of the raw materials used for renovation purposes exceeded Rs 3.1 billion without labour cost whereas Rs 5.8 million, worth furniture was donated by lecturers after the project got underway.
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