Justin Samarasekera

Justin Samarasekera (21 May 1916— 19 October 2003) was a Sri Lankan architect. He is considered to be one of the founding fathers of the architectural profession in Sri Lanka and a pioneer of architectural education in the country.

Early life Justin Samarasekera was born on 21 May 1916, He completed his secondary school education at Ananda College and then Nalanda College, Colombo. In 1938 he enrolled at the Sir J. J. College of Architecture in Bombay. During his time in India he became involved in the country's independence movement, which influenced his later contributions to Ceylon's national identity. Samarasekera was appointed chief architect in 1956. which was established in 1944, and was the first architect to be elected General President in 1976.

Samarasekera was a founding member of the Ceylon Institute of Architects, which was established in 1957, and was actively involved in the establishment of architectural courses, at the Institute of Practical Technology in Katubedda, which later became the University of Moratuwa.

In 1982 he was made an Honorary Fellow of the SLIA

Notable works Independence Memorial Hall, Colombo (1948) Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Colombo (1959) Institute of Practical Technology, Katubedde, Moratuwa (1959) Kalutara Chaitya, Kalutara (1965) Indian Pavilion and Ceylon Paper Corporation Pavilion, International Industrial Exhibition, Colombo (1965) Atchchuveli Industrial Estate, Jaffna (1970) SLFP Party Headquarters, Colombo (1970) University of Kelaniya Library, Kelaniya (1973) Kollupitiya Market, Colombo (1976) Yala Safari (1976) Wornel's Reef Hotel, Beruwala (1974) University of Ceylon Physics and Chemistry buildings (1979) Co-operative Wholesale Establishment, Colombo (1981) Sripada National College of Education, Kotagala (1982–89)