Echelon Barracks
| Echelon Barracks | |
|---|---|
| Colombo | |
 | |
| First Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka Hon. D.S.Senanayaka visiting the 1st battalion of the CLI at the Echelon Square and watching volunteers being trained to handle light machine guns. | |
| Type | Headquarters building |
| Site information | |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1880s |
| In use | 1880s – 1970s |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | Ceylon Artillery |
Echelon Barracks was a former military barracks situated in Colombo fort, Colombo. Build during the late nineteenth century as headquarters of the British Army Garrison of Ceylon, it was occupied by the newly formed Ceylon Army, following independence.
It was made up of a two-storey barrack blocks, with wide verandahs, formed a square around a parade ground large enough for several football and hockey pitches. This parade ground gained the name Echelon Square adjoining the then old Parliament (present Presidential Secretariat). Till 1963 it was the regimental headquarters of the Ceylon Artillery and house the Ministry of Defence until the building were demolished to make way for commercial buildings in fort during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The 1st Reconnaissance Squadron was form here.
At present the World Trade Centre, Colombo stands in the Echelon Square, along with the head office of the Bank of Ceylon, Colombo Hilton and Hotel Galadari.
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Coordinates: 6°55′56″N 79°50′39″E / 6.93222°N 79.84417°E