One-time solitary theatre Tower Hall hits the century mark

By D.C. Ranatunga

It was a noteworthy coincidence that as the ultra modern Performing Arts Theatre was ceremonially opened on 15 December, the one-time solitary theatre – the Tower Hall – completed 100 the next day. It was on 16 December 1911 that it was declared open.

The story of Tower Hall is a fascinating one. Don Hendrick Appuhamy Seneviratne, a businessman residing at Dematagoda bought a piece of land known as ‘Merenjhege watta’ – said to be 68 perches in extent – for Rs. 50 from the Colombo Municipal Council. That was in 1909. It was a rocky hillock which he levelled.

His intention was to build a stable for horses taking part in races at the racecourse in Cinnamon Gardens mainly during the festive seasons. At this time there was a wide interest in theatre developing around the Maradana railway station area.

He was quick to see a business opportunity when his friend, Balasuriyage James (B.J) Perera (both of them ran a hotel names Messenger Union in Maradana patronised mainly by theatregoers) suggested to utilise the land to build a theatre…He felt it would be more profitable to build a theatre rather than a stable.  

In 1910 he started building operations. An auspicious day and time were chosen for the foundation stone laying ceremony. The presence of the country’s leaders in every sphere was an indication of the keen interest they had in art and culture. Possibly Don Hendrick Appuhamy would have been an influential person too.  

Records mention the names of Anagarika Dharmapala, Sri Baron Jayatilleka, F.R Senanayake, Walisinghe Harischandra, Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, D.S Senanayake, lawyers John de Silva and Charles Dias who were keen dramatists, and writer/editor Piyadasa Sirisena were among them.

A veteran theatre fan who spent most of his life in Maradana close to Tower Hall, D.V Seneviratne has recorded vivid memories of the era.

There were several makeshift theatres in the City. They were temporary sheds with galvanised roofs. One in Maradana was called ‘Belek Hall’. Another in Pettah with a cadjan roof was known as ‘Floral Hall’. Between 1880 and 1910 several of these halls had plays regularly. They were mainly the ‘nurti’ style of drama.

Pavilion theatre in Maradana junction, Public Hall at Ibbanwala junction at Hunupitiya, Sarasawathi in Pettah, Madhuramnambhika at Gintupitiya were the better known ones.  

Tower Hall surpassed all of them with up to date facilities. Curtains and other stage materials were brought in from Bombay which was a centre of theatre activity at the time. There was seating for 800 persons. Standing accommodation was provided for another 400 in two balconies on either side. Above the stage was a screen for film shows. The change rooms and make up facilities were provided on the sides of the stage.

The clock tower, a symbol to this day is said to have been designed on the lines of the Tower of London. The clocks on three sides had glass covers. The name ‘Tower Hall’ seems to have derived from this tower.

Elaborate arrangements were made for the opening of Tower Hall. An all-night ‘pirith’ ceremony by a hundred monks led by the chief priest of Vidyodaya Pirivena, Ven Mahagoda Gnanissara preceded the opening.



At 7 am on the morning of 17 December 1911, amidst the sounds of ‘magul bera’ and chanting of ‘seth pirith’, the great Buddhist revivalist Anagarika Dharmapala opened the main door with a silver key.

Making the opening remarks, he stressed on the need to use drama for the revitalisation of the nation and Buddhism rather than mere entertainment.

Lawyer Charles Dias who had married a one of the daughters of Hendrick Appuhamy, was a keen dramatist. His production ‘Pandukabhaya’, a historical drama was staged to mark the opening night. Among the invitees was Governor Sir Henry MaCallum. With no buses, theatregoers came by train, passenger carts and bullock carts.

A well equipped theatre was thus born. At least 18 dramas were staged during the first month.

The names of foremost dramatists John de Silva and Charles Dias were synonymous with Tower Hall. Their productions were regularly staged.

Researcher, Professor Tissa Kariyawasam speaks of the challenge faced by Sinhala theatre by the silent film. While some of the makeshift theatres were used to screen these, the first cinema hall was opened in April 1911. That was the Empire Picture Palace. Gradually Tower Hall began to feel the effects of the new trend.

By 1927 October it was the sole theatre in Colombo. Two years later it became apparent that it had to face reality when there was just one show of ‘Vidhura Jataka’ during the three month period October to December 1929.

The strong challenge by films forced Tower Hall to yield to the pressure and it began screening films in 1931.  On 12 September 1931, ‘Siren of Baghdad’ was screened marking the end of Tower Hall as an exclusive theatre.