Navarangahala
 Entrance to the Navarangahala | |
| Location | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 6°54′15″N 79°51′35″E / 6.90417°N 79.85972°ECoordinates: 6°54′15″N 79°51′35″E / 6.90417°N 79.85972°E |
| Owner | Royal College Colombo |
| Operator | Government of Ceylon |
| Type | Theatre (Tropical modernism) |
| Genre(s) | Music, Concerts, Theatre, Dance |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1966 |
| Opened | 1969 |
| Structural engineer | 4 Field Engineer Regiment, SLE |
The Navarangahala ("New Theater"), in Colombo, is one of the main national theatres of Sri Lanka.
History
Built between 1966 and 1969 by the 4 Field Engineer Regiment, SLE as the Royal Primary School Hall, it was specially designed for local drama and music which required open air type auditorium in accordance to Natya Shastra. Funding came from the government and well wishers. Until it was built there were no purpose-built indoor theatres for the local arts, apart from the few open air amphitheatres. With the amalgamation of Royal Preparatory School with Royal College in December 1977 Navarangahala became part of Royal College.
Notable events
On the May 22, 1972 the House of Representatives of Ceylon met at the Navarangahala to finalize and approve the Republic Constitution, which proclaimed establishment of the Republic of Sri Lanka.