Over the course of its past, Sri Lanka has been visited, inhabited, and colonized by travelers from a variery of cultures and countries, each of whom added their own unique touches to the island’s cultural tapestry, from food, fashion, traditions, and architecture.

Sri Lanka’s traditional architecture was shaped largely by Theravada Buddhism since its introduction to the country in the 3rd Century AD from India. These ancient art forms remain evident in its temples, stupas, and historical sites, which display a remarkable sense of form and function.

This was then supplemented by the effects of colonialism by the Portuguese, the Dutch,and the British, each of whom brought their own unique styles as they shaped the parts of the country they colonized. Such buildings, now a rarity even in their countries ot origin, are still visible around the country, in the form of Dutch-built forts, the Grand Mosque in Colombo, the colonial bungalows of the British, and more.

The next wave of architectural design in the country came after Independence with the introduction of tropical modernism by the famed architect Geoffrey Bawa, whose minimalistic style embraced local cultural elements to create buildings suited pertectly toboth the unique climate and traditions that define Sri Lanka. His iconic designs went on to become the chosen template of countless architects even beyond his time.