Independence Square (Independence Memorial Hall) is a highly significant historical and recreational landmark located in the affluent Cinnamon Gardens (Colombo 07) district of Colombo.

Key Highlights:

• Commemoration: It was built to commemorate Sri Lanka’s independence from British rule, which was formally achieved on February 4, 1948.
• Architecture: The centerpiece is the Independence Memorial Hall, an open-sided pavilion whose design is based on the Magul Maduwa (Royal Audience Hall) of the Kingdom of Kandy, the island’s last native kingdom. It features intricately carved columns, stone lions, and a statue of the first Prime Minister, D.S. Senanayake.
• Memorial Museum: The basement of the hall houses the Independence Memorial Museum, dedicated to national heroes who contributed to the freedom struggle.
• Recreational Hub: The surrounding square is a large, well-maintained park with sprawling lawns, walking paths, and cycling tracks, making it a very popular venue for locals for jogging, exercising, and relaxing.
• The Arcade: Directly adjacent to the square is the Arcade Independence Square, a stylish shopping complex housed in beautifully renovated colonial-era buildings (originally the Jawatta Lunatic Asylum), which offers high-end shops, restaurants, and a cinema.