First built in 1876 under the instructions of the British Ceylon Government and the Inspector General of Prisons and Police at the time, N. R. Saunders, the maximum-security prison housed serious offenders and prisoners on death row. The prison was fashioned after the French Bastille fortress, which explains its medieval look.
The prison also housed several famous prisoners including the former Lanka Sama Samaja Party Leader and an anti-war movement leader during World War II, Dr. Colvin R. de Silva.
The prison complex is one of the oldest buildings in the heritage city, and is considered a rich archaeological landmark. Bogambara was also one of two prisons in Sri Lanka which saw the implementation of the death penalty, and so was equipped with gallows.
In order to improve prison conditions and expand the prison network, the Government decided to shutdown the prison in 2013, and transferred all the prisoners to a new complex in Pallekele.
After permanently closing its doors on 1 January 2014, the prison property and equipment were handed over to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in order to be used for commercial and viewing purposes as a historical building.
In April 2016, Minister Lakshman Kiriella proposed that the prison complex be converted into a luxury hotel. He also recommended the construction of underground tunnels in and around Kandy to ease traffic congestion. One such tunnel would be built between Bogambara and Getambe, Peradeniya.
In September 2016, the Cabinet approved a proposal presented by the Prime Minister to assign an internationally reputed agency to redevelop the Bogambara Prison site as a tourist attraction while preserving its historical value.
The design pertaining to the redevelopment of the prison was first approved on 9 December 2016 by the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs.
In 2017, Malwatta Chapter Mahanayaka Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera and Asgiriya Chapter Mahanayaka Ven. Warakagoda Gnanarathana Thera spoke against repurposing the complex into a luxury hotel or shopping complex in a letter addressed to both the President and Prime Minister.
They urged the Government to preserve and use the ancient prison complex as a national museum and cultural centre that would then serve as a major resource for the advancement of Kandy’s heritage. They also put forth a proposal prepared by a group of scholars, experts, and professionals to advocate for the conservation and redevelopment of the main building that occupies almost six acres and the use of the remaining seven acres of Bogambara for ancillary facilities.
One of the main goals of this was to create a modern, world-class museum in Kandy that would act as a conduit to the past. Following this, they proposed the building be used as a Kandyan cultural centre where Kandyan arts and crafts can be displayed, and an auditorium, performing arts facility, art gallery, Ayurveda spa, food court, and other ancillary facilities that would attract local and foreign visitors be built.
In June 2019, the BOI called a Request for Proposals (RFPs) to develop the Bogambara Prison into a four or five-star hotel. They hoped to attract both foreign and local investors on a design, build, finance, and operate model, offering the land on a lease of up to 50 years.
“The BOI anticipated interest from investors in creating a landmark and a vibrant destination in the heart of Kandy which brings the city’s heritage to centre stage,” stated the RFP document.
The BOI stated that the objective of the RFP process was to select an appropriate developer/investor to utilise the prime plot of land and provide an opportunity to create a unique development/hotel complex to enhance the attractiveness of the city fostering cross-functionality, and environmentally friendly and sustainable development methods and building practices while protecting the heritage and culture of the premises.
According to a press release sent by the BOI, the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade hopes to meet the Japanese Ambassador to raise more funds for the Bogambara Prison Project.
