A Rs. 33.02 billion office project that stopped during the economic crisis is moving again, as more government offices shift towards Battaramulla.
Construction of Sethsiripaya Phase III has resumed under the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.
The project started in 2019 but later stopped during several economic and other crises. Authorities now plan to complete the 25-floor complex within 30 months.
The building will have a total floor area of 1,395,439 square feet.
What will the new complex contain?
Sethsiripaya Phase III will provide office space for state and semi-state institutions.
The complex will also include conference halls, public service centres, commercial spaces and parking facilities.
The Urban Development Authority, Ministry of Power, Department of Inland Revenue and State Pharmaceutical Corporation are working together on the project.
The scale of the development means the project will add a large amount of office space to the Battaramulla area.
That could also bring more daily activity around the administrative zone as employees, visitors and service providers use the area.
From Colombo Fort to Battaramulla
The project forms part of a wider move to relocate government offices from Colombo Fort and other parts of the city to Battaramulla.
Several state institutions have already moved to the Sri Jayewardenepura area.
The shift could gradually change how people and businesses use different parts of the capital.
More offices in Battaramulla can mean more demand for food outlets, transport, retail, parking and other services around the area.
At the same time, moving offices out of Fort could free up buildings and space in one of Colombo’s long-established commercial areas for other uses.
A 30-month construction target
The recommencement ceremony was held on August 28, led by Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake, with Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara taking part.
Authorities have set a 30-month target to finish the project.
The restart puts a major unfinished office development back into construction while the wider administrative shift towards Battaramulla continues.
More:
Sri Lanka to Provide US$1 Million to Nepal for Flood and Landslide Relief
Last modified: August 29, 2026
