Bogambara Prison
Location | Bogambara, Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka |
---|---|
Status | Closed |
Security class | Maximum security |
Population | 1,450 (as of 2013) |
Opened | 1876 |
Closed | 1 January 2014 |
Former name | Bogambara Prison |
Managed by | Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development |
City | Kandy |
State/province | Central |
Postal code | 20000 |
Country | Sri Lanka |
Notable prisoners | |
See list |
Bogambara Prison was a maximum security prison and the second largest prison in the country after Welikada Prison in Colombo, Sri Lanka. After operating for 138 years, the prison was closed on 1 January 2014, and the inmates were transferred to the new Dumbara prison complex in Pallekele. In 2019, the government declared the prison site would become a cultural tourism centre, the Bogambara Cultural Park.[1]
History
Prison
In 1815, the British took possession of Sri Lanka following the signing of the
The grounds of the prison were created by filling in the Bogambara Wewa (an artificial lake) and the buildings were designed by F. Vine of the Public Works Department of Ceylon. The design of the main gate and walls are said to be inspired by the Bastille. The prison occupied a 5.3 ha (13 acres) area, with a three-storey 8,500 m2 (91,000 sq ft) main building containing 382 cells, in which would be held 408 prisoners, and a 840 m2 (9,000 sq ft) prison hospital building to its west.[2] The prison was opened in 1876, and it was used to house serious offenders and death row prisoners.
The complex has gallows and was one of Sri Lanka's only two prisons where the death penalty was implemented. The gallows were shifted from Hangman's Hill to the prison in 1876. In all, 524 prisoners were executed at Bogambara. The convicted murderers W. A. Richard and T. M. Jayawardena were the last people hanged there on 21 and 22 November 1975, respectively.[3] One of the most notorious criminals to be executed at the prison was D. J. Siripala (aka Maru Sira) who was executed on 7 August 1975. The prison was administered by the Department of Prisons.
In an effort to expand the prison network in the country and improve prison conditions, the Sri Lankan government decided to permanently close the complex in 2013. The remaining inmates were transferred to a new prison complex in
Cultural Park
In December 2016 the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs created a project master plan for the redevelopment of the site.[1]
In June 2018 the prison was opened to the public for four days along with Meda Wasala, Kandy Municipal Council building and Ehelepola Walauwa, as part of a program to promote Kandy's heritage led by the Urban Development Authority (UDA), in conjunction with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).[5]
On 24 August 2019, Prime Minister
Notable prisoners
- Dr Colvin R. de Silva - Lanka Sama Samaja Party leader, anti-war movement leader during World War II and later a Member of Parliament.
- Philip Gunawardena - Lanka Sama Samaja Party leader, anti-war movement leader during World War II and later a Member of Parliament.
- William de Silva - Lanka Sama Samaja Party leader, anti-war movement leader during World War II and later a Member of Parliament.
- Maru Sira - Death row inmate executed amidst great controversy.
See also
References
- ^ The Daily news. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
- ^ Lugoda, Uwin (25 August 2019). "Bogambara: From maximum security prison to multipurpose park". The Sunday Morning. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
- ^ "Bogambara gallows to Dumbara". Sri Lanka Mirror. 30 August 2014. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
- ^ "Sri Lanka government closes the maximum security prison in World Heritage city". Colombopage.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
- ^ "Event promoting rediscovery of Kandy architectural attractions kicks off today". Daily FT. 14 June 2018.
- ^ Pradeep, Chaturanga. "Bogambara comes under President on Jan. 1". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
- ^ "Opening of Bogambara Cultural Park will bring considerable benefits to Kandy". The Island. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2019.[permanent dead link]
- The Daily News. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
- ^ "Bogambara: A prison turned into a tourist attraction". Republic Next Sri Lanka. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2019.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Lugoda, Uwin (25 August 2019). "Bogambara: From maximum security prison to multipurpose park". The Sunday Morning. Retrieved 27 November 2019.