Lawyers and building conservators have raised a major legal alarm over the planned demolition or radical modification of the historic Dining Hall at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. Experts contend that the project, part of the school’s “Phase IV Senior Quadrangle” development, violates several statutory provisions designed to protect national heritage.

Prominent public interest litigator and environmental law specialist, Attorney-at-Law Dr. Ravindranath (Ravi) Dabare, stated that the proposed works were “manifestly illegal” under current Sri Lankan law. Dr. Dabare, known for his role in high-profile cases involving the preservation of public assets and the environment, noted that the age of the structure places it under the direct protection of the state.

According to Dr. Dabare, the Dining Hall — constructed between 1918 and 1922 — crosses the critical legal threshold defined in the Antiquities Ordinance No. 9 of 1940 (as amended by Act No. 24 of 1998). Section 16 of the Ordinance explicitly states that any monument that has existed for not less than 100 years is legally classified as an antiquity and an “ancient monument”. Dr. Dabare emphasized that “the law does not require a building to be formally gazetted to be protected; its age alone grants it status as an antiquity. Any act of ‘injudicious treatment,’ demolition, or structural alteration is a non-bailable criminal offence”.

The controversy comes as S. Thomas’ College celebrates its 175th anniversary this year. While the Phase IV project is supported by a significant Rs. 600 million donation from philanthropist and Old Trinitian Eng. Nahil Wijesuriya, critics argue that modernisation should not come at the cost of destroying the legacy of Warden William Arthur Stone, who conceptualised the campus layout over a century ago.

“Heritage is a public trust,” Dr. Dabare concluded. “The school authorities are merely trustees of these buildings for future generations of Sri Lankans. They do not have the legal right to erase a century of history in the name of ‘remodeling'”.

A meeting between Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and officials of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was held on 2nd of March at the Ministry of Education to discuss the Human Resource Development for Education Project (HRDEP).

Discussions focused on enhancing the quality and relevance of senior secondary education, strengthening the quality of the educator workforce, and improving a plan for education sector management.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need for strengthened technical capacity and skilled human resources in the process of digitalizing the education sector. The Prime Minister highlighted the Government’s focus on comprehensive system development, noting that the ultimate goal is to build strong human capital capable of leading the country forward in all spheres of national development.

ADB officials reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Government’s ongoing education reform process. They expressed readiness to provide technical expertise and to extend support through international financing facilities to advance sectoral reforms.

The meeting was attended by the officials and technical experts of ADB and Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa.

[Prime Minister’s Media division]

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to accept 08 used low floorboard buses offered as a grant by the Government of Japan.