Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall

The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), (Sinhala: බණ්ඩාරනායක ජාත්‍යාන්තර සම්මන්ත්‍රණ ශාලාව Tamil: பண்டாரநாயக்க சர்வதேச மாநாட்டு மண்டபம்) is a convention center located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Built between 1970 and 1973, the convention centre was a gift from the People's Republic of China in memory of Solomon Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike, Prime Minister (1956–1959).[2]

Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall
බණ්ඩාරනායක ජාත්‍යාන්තර සම්මන්ත්‍රණ ශාලාව
Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo
Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo
Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall is located in Greater Colombo
Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall
Location in greater Colombo
General information
TypeConvention center
AddressBMICH Colombo, [Customer Services], Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07
Town or cityColombo
CountrySri Lanka
Coordinates06°54′06″N 79°52′22″E
Construction started1970
Opened1973
OwnerSri Lankan Government
Grounds1,500 m²
Design and construction
Architect(s)Dai Nianci[1]
Website
www.bmich.lk

The construction of the hall was carried out by a joint Sri Lankan and Chinese workforce with a considerable portion of the building materials being imported from China.

In 1998 a small Exhibition Centre, the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre, was built on the grounds as a gift from China.[2]

Management

The day-to-day operations of the BMICH is overseen its Director, who is appointed by the board of management of the S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation (BNMF) which was established by the S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation Act No. 2 of 1975

By law, at its formation BNMF is exempted from all Tax and duties of the Government of Sri Lanka and the local government.[3]

The BNMF has an academic wing specialised in International Relations, Languages and Cultural Studies named "Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS)" located within the BMICH premises.

Board of management

The board of management of the BNMF maintains the BMICH complex. Its board is specified by S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation Act and includes the ex officio members the President of Sri Lanka as the chairperson, the Leader of the Opposition of Sri Lanka, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Auditor General of Sri Lanka. Non ex officio members included Sirima Bandaranaike during her lifetime (if not holding an ex officio member) and thereafter, the eldest surviving descendant of S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike willing and able to serve; and two distinguished persons in the fields of foreign affairs, law, education or the arts; nominated by Sirima Bandaranaike during her lifetime, and thereafter, by the Bandaranaike descendant.[3]

Facilities

The building has over 1,500 m2 (16,000 sq ft) of floorspace, and is located in the Cinnamon Gardens area of Colombo. An up-to-date library with volumes of literature on almost all subjects is available for the use of research for delegates visiting the BMICH. To facilitate with banking needs, a bank is located near the main hall. Due to the high-profile events taking place within the venue the Sri Lanka Police maintains a permanent detachment and the Mount Lavinia Hotel has a restaurant. The Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre has floor area covering 4,500 sq. m. consists of two exhibition halls, lobby, dining room, lounge, kitchen and other VIP amenities.

Events

Several high-profile events and exhibitions have been held in the venue, including the Non-Aligned Movement Summit 16–19 August 1976, Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2013. It is host to the annual EDEX Expo. It has become a popular venue for convocations ceremonies.

Local Events

There have been some local events and exhibitions held in Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre (SBMEC) such as

  • BMICH Life Style Shopping Expo (April and December)
  • Colombo International Book Fair
  • Colombo Shopping Festival
  • Medicare
  • Wedding Show
  • Bridal show
  • Home & You
  • Pro Food
  • Facets Gem
  • Colombo Motor show
  • Build SL (Housing & construction expo)
  • Kedella (Architectural and furniture)
  • Architect

Organisations

Found within the large grounds are several government and private organisations. These include:

References
  1. Lu, Duanfang (2010). Third World Modernism: Architecture, Development and Identity. Routledge. ISBN 9781136895470.
  2. Goh, Evelyn (2016). Rising China's Influence in Developing Asia. Oxford University Press. p. 146. ISBN 9780198758518.
  3. "S. W. R. D. BANDARANAIKE NATIONAL MEMORIAL FOUNDATION". lawnet.gov.lk. Ministry of Justice - Sri Lanka. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
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