Just after my lunch at Steaurt
Hotel in Chatham street I walked out of the back door (yes, after paying for my
lunch) next to the Police building as it was quicker to reach the Galadari
hotel from there.
Several times I’ve seen this monument
before when coming out of the Dutch hospital, but never spent quality time
inspecting carefully. I think that I’m not the only person who lost this spot. Believe
or not, this was the jail cell of the last king in Sri Lanka and his queen (I’m
working on a long article of history of Sri Lanka, once I publish it you will
be able to learn more about what happened to the king and the queen).
By looking at the size of the
cell, you can realize the royal treatment he and his beloved wife received. The
king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe was prisoned in this until deported to Vellore in
India.
This’s not bigger than a public
toilet and you cannot see inside properly without a torch. Inside, on the walls
you can see the portraits
and the original national flag. I’m not sure this monument receives proper
protection and consideration from the authorities. I had the same feeling
during the time I lived near the Kotte rampart, because these monuments are in
public places and the majority has no idea about the value of these, likely
damage intentionally or unintentionally.
Note: The photographs were originally taken by the author, please do not copy the original content and the pictures without my permission.
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| Front side of the jail cell - the iron gate is locked |
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| Only my hands and camera inside the cell, tried hard to capture the details :( not satisfied |
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| The portraits of the King and Queen |
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| The back view of the cell |
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| The statue of the king |
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