Nelung Arts Centre

Nelung Arts Centre

Nelung Arts Centre Location in central Colombo
Address	81 Hyde Park Corner, Colombo 200
Location	Colombo, Sri Lanka
Coordinates	6°55′04″N79°51′36″E / 6.91778°N 79.86000°E / 6.91778; 79.86000
Owner	Nelung Arts Foundation
Operator	Nelung Arts Foundation
Type	Theatre (Postmodern)
Event(s)	Music, Concerts, Theatre, Dance
Construction
Built	2009
Opened	2010;15 years ago (2010)
Architect	Hiranti Welandawe (H. W. Architects)
Structural engineer	Nuwan Senaka
Main contractors	Maga Group [1]

The Nelung Arts Centre is an arts centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It opened in September 2010, and houses a dance school, theatre, art gallery and associated offices. Established by the Nelung Arts Foundation, which was founded by Niloufer Pieris, a former Sri Lankan ballerina, and the niece of Harold Peiris. ^[2] the centre is managed by the Nelung Arts Foundation. ^{[3] [4]}

Design and features

The four-storey building was designed by Sri Lankan architect, Hirante Welandawe, ^[5] as a multi-purpose building, comprising a dance studio, open-air 300 seat theatre and atrium that hosts art exhibitions as well as support facilities such as offices and car parking. ^{[6] [7]}

It was built with an eco-friendly approach, which incorporated the use of rainwater harvesting techniques, compressed earth blocks, extensive passive ventilation and natural lighting, innovative structural design that optimised material usage, as well as construction techniques that minimised construction waste. ^[8]

See also

• Theatre of Sri Lanka
• Lionel Wendt Art Centre

References

1. "Nelung Arts Foundation". Maga Group. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
2. Sadanandan, Renuka (4 September 2012). "The Arts are Good Business". Sunday Times . Retrieved 23 June 2025.
3. Sadanandan, Renuka (5 September 2010). "A Place to Dance". Sunday Times . Retrieved 23 June 2025.
4. Rangika And Rangana — Dancing Their Way To Success ^{[ dead link ]}
5. "Nelung Arts Centre, Colombo". HW Architects. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
6. "Hyde Park Corner, Colombo 7 - Nelung Arts Foundation". Smooth Aluminium. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
7. "World Architecture". Nelung Arts Centre, Colombo, Sri Lanka. No. 2. 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
8. Wijegoonawardena, Manisha (February 2015). "Now Architecture". A Bond between Architecture and Society. Sri Lankan Institute of Architects. p. 156-159.