The Geoffrey Bawa Trust is proud to announce its support for the restoration of the Seema Malaka at the Gangaramaya Temple. Constructed between 1976 and 1978, the current Seema Malaka was designed by Geoffrey Bawa on the site of a former temple structure.
The Seema Malaka, also referred to as a sīmāmālaka, is a terraced chapel commonly found in Buddhist temples or monasteries. Situated on Beira Lake, the Gangaramaya Temple’s Seema Malaka serves as a significant meditation space and venue for religious ceremonies.
Bawa’s architectural design seamlessly combines classical Sinhalese and Buddhist elements with modern features. It includes a central plinth with the main preaching hall, linked to the land and two smaller plinths by an elevated walkway. A southern extension was added later. The three pavilions, originally topped with pyramidal clay-tiled roofs now replaced by blue-glazed tiles, float on large cross-beams. The elevated walkways and pitched roofs recall the original sīmāmālaka of Gangarama Temple, built in the mid-19th century. The initial structure, supported above the lake by wooden poles, underwent frequent renovations before collapsing into the water, along with a group of monks, in August 1954.
“Seema Malaka is significant for its serene, water-based design,” states Dr. Gamini Wijesuriya, an architect, archaeologist, and cultural heritage management specialist. “Its integration of architecture, landscape, and urban context symbolizes harmony between culture, nature, and contemporary life.”
The reconstruction of the Seema Malaka in 1976 was funded by a diverse community, with notable contributions from the Moosajee family. Geoffrey Bawa’s projects often involved working across religions and ethnicities, as exemplified by his pro bono design for the Nazareth Chapel at the Good Shepherd Convent in Bandarawela.
The Geoffrey Bawa Trust is collaborating closely with Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero of the Gangaramaya Temple to restore the building in accordance with Bawa’s original designs. The Seema Malaka is an iconic structure in Colombo’s cityscape and a popular destination for both residents and visitors. By supporting its restoration, the Trust aims to preserve an architectural landmark and a piece of Geoffrey Bawa’s legacy, while advocating for the conservation of Colombo’s architectural history and heritage buildings.
“Conserving pieces of Colombo’s modern architecture, such as Seema Malaka, requires preserving the original design while allowing for sensitive interventions that support continued use without compromising the aspects of the building that communities use and cherish,” says Wijesuriya.
Heritage buildings are celebrated not only for their age and construction but also for their social significance and continued use over time. They reflect the cultural fabric of a place and its people, spanning from ancient structures to modernist architecture. Therefore, heritage conservation and management must adopt a people-centered approach, placing communities at the core of decision-making.
“The Seema Malaka is one of Geoffrey Bawa’s most publicly accessible buildings. Its conservation and restoration to its original intent, providing a peaceful retreat amidst the city’s bustle, is extremely important,” expresses Channa Daswatte, chartered architect and Chair of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust. Renovation of the extension added after Bawa’s contributions to the temple will be undertaken by Channa Daswatte.
