Temple Trees
Temple Trees is the official residence and office of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, located at No. 150, R.A. de Mel Mawatha in the Cinnamon Gardens area of Colombo 3.[1] This two-story bungalow, named for the fragrant Plumeria (araliya or temple trees) in its garden, originated over 200 years ago during Dutch colonial rule as a distillery called "De Brandery."[1][2] Acquired by the British colonial government in November 1903, Temple Trees initially served as the residence for the Lieutenant Governor of Ceylon and later for colonial secretaries and chief secretaries until independence in 1948.[1][2] Following Ceylon's transition to dominion status, D. S. Senanayake, the first Prime Minister, took up occupancy on January 19, 1948, establishing it as the prime ministerial seat and a hub for executive decision-making.[1] The property retains architectural features from its Dutch origins, including thick walls, high-ventilated ceilings, large doors and windows, and tiled roofs, spanning grounds originally exceeding six acres.[1][2] Throughout Sri Lanka's post-independence history, Temple Trees has symbolized political authority, hosting United National Party prime ministers consistently and occasionally serving as an office for presidents from other parties.[1] It has been the venue for diplomatic receptions, policy deliberations, and notable political events, underscoring its role in the nation's governance amid shifts between parliamentary supremacy and executive presidencies.[3] As of 2024, its use has evolved to primarily accommodate events rather than full-time residency during certain administrations, reflecting adaptations to security concerns and political dynamics.[3]Historical Development
Origins and Private Ownership
The origins of Temple Trees date to the Dutch colonial period in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), when the site functioned as a distillery known as De Brandery.[4] Following the British acquisition of Ceylon in 1796, the property transitioned to private residential use under British ownership, initially held by figures such as Frederick Baron Mylius, a judge in the Ceylon Civil Service after 1805.[2] Ownership subsequently changed hands among British traders and colonial officials, reflecting the estate's role in the colonial economy tied to commodities like cinnamon. By the 1830s, John Walbeoff, head of the Cinnamon Department, owned the property from 1830 to 1834, during which it served as a private home amid Colombo's expanding urban development.[5] After Walbeoff, the estate passed to other private holders, including an acquisition in 1848 by a subsequent buyer following its prior tenure under Walbeoff.[5] Later, following the death of owner Staniforth Green, the mansion and an associated ice factory were auctioned and purchased by the firm Tarrant, Henderson & Company; its proprietor, J.A. Henderson, then adapted it fully as a residence and rented it to colonial figures, such as Lieutenant Governor Sir Everard im Thurn.[4] The name "Temple Trees" originated in 1856 when John Philip Green acquired the mansion; he invested substantially in its decoration and landscaping, naming it after the large Ficus religiosa (temple trees) planted on the grounds, which evoked Buddhist sacred associations despite the property's secular private use.[4] Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, it remained under private British ownership, often by merchant families or estate companies like the Eastern Produce & Estates Co. Ltd. by 1903, which managed extensive tea plantations alongside residential holdings.[6] This era underscored the estate's evolution from industrial origins to an elite colonial villa, prior to its nationalization as a governmental asset post-independence in 1948.[4]Colonial Period Usage
During the British colonial administration of Ceylon, Temple Trees transitioned from private ownership to official government use in the late 19th century. The property was acquired by John Philip Green, a British businessman, in 1856, who renamed it Temple Trees and invested significantly in enhancing the mansion and its gardens. Following Green's death, his widow sold the estate to the Government of Ceylon, after which it was allocated as the official residence of the Chief Secretary, the colony's principal civil administrator reporting to the Governor.[4][7] The Chief Secretary, responsible for coordinating executive functions, policy implementation, and liaison between the Governor and departmental heads, utilized Temple Trees as both residence and administrative base from this period onward. This role underscored the building's status within Colombo's colonial bureaucracy, distinct from the Governor's separate residence at Queen's House (now President's House). Successive Chief Secretaries, including figures like those serving in the early 20th century, conducted official duties and hosted colonial events there, reflecting the site's integration into the administrative hierarchy established under the Colebrooke-Cameron Reforms of 1833, which formalized such positions.[7][8] Temple Trees also featured in episodes of colonial tension, serving as a focal point for 19th-century public campaigns against gubernatorial policies, highlighting its symbolic role amid growing local discontent with British rule. The residence remained in use by the Chief Secretary until Ceylon's independence in 1948, marking the end of its colonial administrative function.[9][8]Establishment as Prime Ministerial Residence
Upon Sri Lanka's attainment of independence on 4 February 1948, Temple Trees was designated as the official residence of the Prime Minister of Ceylon, marking its transition from private and colonial-era usage to a key governmental asset. D. S. Senanayake, the nation's first Prime Minister following independence, oversaw this establishment, aligning the property with the new executive structure where the Prime Minister served as head of government under the Governor-General.[4][2] Although Temple Trees was formally allocated for the Prime Minister's use, Senanayake himself preferred residing at his private family home, Woodlands, in Borella, rather than occupying the premises full-time. This arrangement reflected personal choice amid the property's symbolic elevation, with its spacious grounds and central Colombo location—on Galle Road, near the Indian Ocean—deemed suitable for official functions and security. The designation underscored the post-independence emphasis on consolidating executive operations in a single, prestigious site previously associated with affluent colonial figures.[10][11] Subsequent Prime Ministers, including Senanayake's son Dudley Senanayake upon succeeding him in 1952, more actively utilized Temple Trees, with Dudley maintaining an official presence there while still favoring Woodlands for personal living. This period solidified its role, incorporating modifications for administrative needs, such as office spaces, and establishing protocols for state events that persist today. The shift ensured continuity in governance symbolism, distinct from the Governor-General's residence at Queen's House.[11][12]Key Historical Events and Modifications
Temple Trees was acquired by the Ceylon government in 1903 and repurposed as the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor, marking its initial transition from private ownership to a key colonial administrative site.[1] This shift followed earlier private modifications, notably around 1805 when Frederick Baron Mylius adapted the structure from its origins as a Dutch-era distillery into a residential property, introducing features that preserved thick walls and other Dutch architectural elements.[1] Upon Ceylon's independence in 1948, Temple Trees was redesignated as the Prime Minister's official residence, with D. S. Senanayake becoming the first occupant on January 19; civil servant Wynne Jones oversaw renovations to suit governmental use while maintaining its historical character.[1] Subsequent periodic renovations have occurred to adapt the mansion for ongoing official functions, though these have been limited to preserve its colonial-era design, including additions for functionality without altering core features.[1] The site has witnessed significant political turbulence, including during the 1971 JVP insurrection, where high-level government deliberations unfolded amid the uprising's early chaos.[13] In the 2018 constitutional crisis, supporters of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe gathered at the gates from October 26 onward, protesting President Maithripala Sirisena's dismissal of Wickremesinghe and appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa, with Buddhist monks joining the standoff that highlighted parliamentary confidence disputes.[14] During the 2022 Aragalaya protests, Temple Trees became a focal point of unrest: on May 9, troops evacuated Wickremesinghe as protesters breached the premises following Mahinda Rajapaksa's resignation amid violence that killed five and injured nearly 200; the residence was stormed again on July 13 after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled, leading to temporary public occupation and subsequent vandalism of its colonial structure.[15][16][8]Architectural and Physical Features
Building Design and Layout
Temple Trees is a two-storied bungalow constructed during the Dutch colonial period, originally functioning as a distillery named "De Brandery" before being adapted into a private residence.[1] Its design incorporates characteristic Dutch architectural elements, such as thick walls for thermal regulation, spacious and well-ventilated rooms, large doors and windows fitted with ventilation holes to promote airflow in the tropical climate, and high-pitched tiled roofs to facilitate water runoff during monsoons.[1] The structure maintains a symmetrical layout typical of colonial-era bungalows, with a prominent sprawling verandah encircling the main building to provide shaded outdoor space and integrate indoor-outdoor living.[1][6] Over time, the interior layout has been modified to accommodate official functions, including dedicated rooms for residential use, administrative offices, and ceremonial spaces, while preserving the core Dutch features through periodic renovations—such as those undertaken by Wynne Jones in 1948 to suit it as the Prime Minister's residence.[1] These adaptations introduced modern security elements and expanded facilities without altering the fundamental two-story configuration or colonial aesthetic, ensuring the building's historical integrity amid its role as both home and workplace.[17] The ground floor typically houses public and official areas, with upper levels reserved for private quarters, though exact room counts and configurations remain non-public due to security protocols.[1]Grounds, Gardens, and Naming Origin
The name "Temple Trees" derives from the abundance of Plumeria rubra trees, known locally as araliya or temple trees, that proliferate across the property's grounds and gardens. These trees, with their fragrant white and pink flowers traditionally offered at Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, prompted British merchant John Philip Green to rename the estate upon purchasing it in 1856.[4][18] The grounds of Temple Trees form a spacious estate in Colombo's Kollupitiya neighborhood, encompassing manicured gardens that emphasize the iconic frangipani specimens lining pathways and surrounding the central bungalow. These gardens provide a verdant, enclosed oasis amid urban surroundings, historically enhanced by Green's investments in landscaping and decoration to complement the tree-filled setting.[4][17]Governmental and Symbolic Functions
Role as Official Residence and Office
Temple Trees functions as the official residence and principal workplace of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, encompassing both living quarters in the colonial-era mansion and facilities for conducting governmental operations. The Prime Minister typically resides in designated rooms within the main building, while official duties—such as cabinet deliberations, policy consultations, and administrative oversight—are carried out from dedicated office spaces and meeting halls on the premises.[4][19] In this capacity, the site accommodates high-level engagements, including receptions for foreign dignitaries, national award ceremonies, and strategic discussions with ministry officials, leveraging its secure grounds and central Colombo location for efficient access. Historical precedents include its use by Prime Ministers like D. S. Senanayake, the first to establish it as the official base in 1947, for daily governance and symbolic state functions.[4] As of late 2024, under Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya—who took office on September 24, 2024—the property's residential role has been suspended, with the incumbent forgoing occupancy in favor of a private home, aligning with a broader rejection of official residences by both the Prime Minister and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Primary office functions have shifted to premises on Flower Road, Colombo 7, though Temple Trees remains available for selective events and meetings, such as the October 23, 2025, session with the Sri Lanka National Women’s Cricket Team to address sports development.[3][19]Political Significance and State Events
Temple Trees holds central political significance as the official workplace and residence of Sri Lanka's Prime Minister, functioning as a hub for executive decision-making and governance in the country's Westminster-style parliamentary system. Since independence in 1948, it has symbolized the Prime Minister's authority, hosting key consultations that influence national policy, including emergency cabinet sessions during crises, such as the one convened on April 3, 2022, amid economic turmoil.[20] [1] Its role extends beyond routine administration, embodying the continuity of political power through successive administrations, with facilities enabling both formal deliberations and informal power brokering.[21] The residence routinely accommodates state events that underscore Sri Lanka's diplomatic and ceremonial engagements. Diplomatic receptions and high-level bilateral meetings occur frequently, exemplified by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya's engagements on May 27, 2025, with representatives from the Vatican and New Zealand to discuss mutual interests.[22] National observances, such as the National Pirivena Day State Celebration on June 19, 2025, and the 67th State Literary Awards Ceremony in September 2025, are held there to honor cultural and educational institutions under government patronage.[23] [24] Interfaith and public service events, including a special Iftar ceremony hosted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on March 14, 2025, during Ramadan, further highlight its use for fostering national unity and administrative coordination.[25] Governmental assemblies, like the 41st Annual Convention of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association on August 5, 2025, convened by the President, reinforce Temple Trees' function as a venue for policy discourse among civil servants and leaders.[26] Preparatory meetings for major national milestones, such as the organizing committee session for the 77th Independence Day Celebrations on January 6, 2025, demonstrate its operational importance in state protocol.[27] These activities, distinct from the Presidential Secretariat's focus, position Temple Trees as a complementary seat of power, particularly for parliamentary oversight and coalition negotiations.[28]Occupants and Usage Patterns
Chronological List of Prime Ministers and Residents
Temple Trees became the official residence of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka following independence in 1948, with D. S. Senanayake as the first occupant in that capacity.[4] All subsequent prime ministers have utilized it as their primary residence and office during their tenures, reflecting its central role in executive governance.[4] Certain presidents, particularly from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party after 1994, have also resided there intermittently when assuming prime ministerial duties or during periods of political transition, though the property's core association remains with the prime ministerial office.[3] The following table enumerates the prime ministers chronologically by tenure, drawn from official records; multiple non-consecutive terms are listed separately.[29] [30]| No. | Prime Minister | Term in Office |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D. S. Senanayake | 24 September 1947 – 22 March 1952 |
| 2 | Dudley Senanayake | 26 March 1952 – 12 October 1953 |
| 3 | John Kotelawala | 12 October 1953 – 12 April 1956 |
| 4 | S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike | 12 April 1956 – 26 September 1959 |
| 5 | Wijeyananda Dahanayake | 26 September 1959 – 20 March 1960 |
| 6 | Dudley Senanayake | 21 March 1960 – 21 July 1960 |
| 7 | Sirimavo Bandaranaike | 21 July 1960 – 25 March 1965 |
| 8 | Dudley Senanayake | 25 March 1965 – 29 May 1970 |
| 9 | Sirimavo Bandaranaike | 29 May 1970 – 23 July 1977 |
| 10 | J. R. Jayewardene | 23 July 1977 – 4 February 1978 |
| 11 | Ranasinghe Premadasa | 6 February 1978 – 2 January 1989 |
| 12 | D. B. Wijetunga | 6 March 1989 – 7 May 1993 |
| 13 | Ranil Wickremesinghe | 7 May 1993 – 19 August 1994 |
| 14 | Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga | 19 August 1994 – 12 November 1994 |
| 15 | Sirimavo Bandaranaike | 14 November 1994 – 9 August 2000 |
| 16 | Ratnasiri Wickremanayake | 10 August 2000 – 7 December 2001 |
| 17 | Ranil Wickremesinghe | 9 December 2001 – 2 April 2004 |
| 18 | Mahinda Rajapaksa | 6 April 2004 – 19 November 2005 |
| 19 | Ratnasiri Wickremanayake | 19 November 2005 – 20 April 2010 |
| 20 | D. M. Jayaratne | 21 April 2010 – 9 January 2015 |
| 21 | Ranil Wickremesinghe | 9 January 2015 – 26 October 2018 |
| 22 | Mahinda Rajapaksa | 26 October 2018 – 15 December 2018 |
| 23 | Ranil Wickremesinghe | 16 December 2018 – 20 November 2019 |
| 24 | Mahinda Rajapaksa | 21 November 2019 – 9 May 2022 |
| 25 | Ranil Wickremesinghe | 12 May 2022 – 21 July 2022 |
| 26 | Dinesh Gunawardena | 22 July 2022 – 23 September 2024 |
| 27 | Susil Premajayantha | 13 May 2024 – 30 May 2024 |
| 28 | Harini Amarasuriya | 24 September 2024 – present |