Adding one more eye-soothing spectacle to the heart of Colombo city, the "Arcade Independence Square", the chain of buildings of colonial times at Colombo 7 Independence Square, completely renovated and restored to its past glory and grandeur by Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, together with unfailing engineer experts of the Army and the Navy as well as with the support of public and private sector consultants, was vested in the public by HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa Sunday (13) evening during a glittering ceremony, graced by Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, distinguished invitees, including Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development, Army, Navy and Air Force Commanders.
The arcade with its immaculate appearance provides office spaces, commercial outlets, entertainment rooms and all other facilities while preserving its original architectural design and magnificence and is a testimony to the dedicated service of the troops towards another project of immense value and importance to the country, opening new opportunities for employment and function of offices.
Soon after the day's Chief Guest, President Rajapaksa's arrival at the venue together with First Lady Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa, a ballet that spoke of the legendary history behind the arcade's re-birth and restoration was staged, leaving room for the architect of the project, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa to welcome the Chief Guest and others. The keynote address by President Mahinda Rajapaksa afterwards opened the occasion to a percussion ensemble that fused up-country and low-country cultural and dancing traditions with beats of different drums and instruments, a rare experience that impressed the gathering.
With the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the President, the arcade was then ceremonially inaugurated amid rounds of applause as the President, flanked by a host of other attendees had a stroll through the passages of the arcade before tokens of appreciation for all those involved in the project were awarded by the President as incentives. A mammoth cultural and a fashion show that added colour to the mega event culminated the day's inauguration.
Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa, Chairperson, Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Seva Vanitha Unit, Mr Mohan Peiris, Attorney General and a large ensemble of invitees attended the event.
The arcade with its immaculate appearance provides office spaces, commercial outlets, entertainment rooms and all other facilities while preserving its original architectural design and magnificence and is a testimony to the dedicated service of the troops towards another project of immense value and importance to the country, opening new opportunities for employment and function of offices.
Soon after the day's Chief Guest, President Rajapaksa's arrival at the venue together with First Lady Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa, a ballet that spoke of the legendary history behind the arcade's re-birth and restoration was staged, leaving room for the architect of the project, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa to welcome the Chief Guest and others. The keynote address by President Mahinda Rajapaksa afterwards opened the occasion to a percussion ensemble that fused up-country and low-country cultural and dancing traditions with beats of different drums and instruments, a rare experience that impressed the gathering.
With the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the President, the arcade was then ceremonially inaugurated amid rounds of applause as the President, flanked by a host of other attendees had a stroll through the passages of the arcade before tokens of appreciation for all those involved in the project were awarded by the President as incentives. A mammoth cultural and a fashion show that added colour to the mega event culminated the day's inauguration.
Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa, Chairperson, Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Seva Vanitha Unit, Mr Mohan Peiris, Attorney General and a large ensemble of invitees attended the event.
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(Photo Courtesy: MoD & UD)
