Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has unveiled plans to convert the historic Bogambara prison into a hotel complex, with a private investor leading the initiative. Since being assigned to the Urban Development Authority (UDA) in 2014, the prison has been part of the Greater Kandy Development Plan and the Kandy City Development Plan, focusing on preserving its colonial architecture while repurposing the main building. According to E.M.S.B. Ekanayake, Central Provincial Director of the UDA, the redevelopment project aims to add open and recreational facilities to increase the site’s economic value for public access.
Efforts to maintain the prison’s heritage extend to preserving its wall and main building, while other parts of the site undergo transformation. The prison hospital has already been renovated, and a park was established in front of the prison in 2018, ensuring the preservation of historical structures. The proposed redevelopment includes a commercial complex featuring a shopping mall, food court, museum, and a tourist hotel, all designed to complement the site’s historical significance. The selection of an investor has been finalized, and cost estimates for the project are currently underway.
Bogambara Prison, operational for 138 years until its decommissioning in 2014, holds a significant place in Sri Lanka’s history, having been a site for capital punishment and housing notable prisoners. Its transformation into a hotel complex reflects ongoing efforts to preserve heritage sites while creating modern amenities for public enjoyment and economic development in Kandy.