‘Walls are tumbling’ and concerns: Back in Fort, 45 years apart!

K K S Perera

Quite a few letters, expressing fears and ‘Concerns...’ by readers that appeared in News sheets, on ‘Beautification of the city’, prompted me to share my views on the vital aspects of this programme, and reminiscence of Fort in 60s. Repetition of, ‘Walls are Tumbling..., Walls are T... ‘ in some writings reminds me, London bridge is Falling Down... Falling D... that we sang and play as kindergarten children.

Back to business, aimed at softening the harsh concrete landscape of the city, and create a lush, aesthetic environment for residents and foreign investors to feel comfortable, the programme is being, hurried at top speed, under the direction of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Private and corporate sectors have understood that, ‘Human society and the beauty of nature are meant to be enjoyed together’ and had thrown in their weight in a big way in the implementation of the landscaping of the Colombo city under the ‘Garden city concept’. Lot of importance is attached to foot-walks, pavements and parking space too.

Shopping arcade

Joining the reputed audit firm of B R de Silva and Company, as a trainee in 1966, I was compelled to carry the heavy (five to six pounds) comptometer, the adding machine from our office adjoining GOH, in York Street’s BOC building to the clients office in ‘Baillie’ street. The tradition was for the new-comer to do so; a kind of a rag? The passages and pavements were crowded while vehicles confined to a few limousines parked opposite Cargill’s, the island’s number one ‘posh’ shopping arcade of the day patronized only by the elite. The smartly dressed office workers in their long skirts and shirt-ties were a proud relict of old Colombo. Double Decker buses, Morris Minor Taxi’s and rickshaws pulling people were an integral part of the town.

Under beautification, most of the uncovered stretches in the city will be lighted with hi-mast light up at the major junctions and several ornamental three arm lights at small junctions. Focusing on energy efficiency and energy conservation measures by using solar energy sources and LED street lighting. Uniform planting, care and maintenance of street trees and of shrubs, grass plots and other ornamental or beautifying plantings upon the streets and highways are adding to the beauty. All unwanted encroachment are also being removed, changing barren and sterile spaces into green and lush environments. Fort should not be referred to as, ‘The fort’, there are no fortification left.

UK’s Green Walls concept

The visit to Walkers, the Engineering giant’s office opposite the passenger terminal of the harbour, at the invitation of a clerk working there, I met at Ambal Cafe sharing a diet, was unforgettable. Ceylon’s first computer was installed there in the year ‘66, the seven-piece machine, each the size of a steel cupboard occupied a large fully Air-conditioned floor area, but had a capacity and features of just one-tenth of a ‘note book’ today’s young student carry. So two ‘firsts’ in one day, a computer plus believe me, an air-conditioned enclosure!

Once the work is completed, realizing the value of city development, most of the fears and ‘concerns. . .’ will fade away. In places where the boundary wall is a necessity, as some writers pointed out (National Archives), the UK’s Green Walls concept, also known as ‘Living Walls’ which are becoming more and more popular in European cities can be created. Their effectiveness is down to their fantastic aesthetic effect, eco-friendly technology and green values. An ideal option if the authorities are so naive, needing perimeter walls to protect the archives!

Back to 60s, in a remarkable co-incidence, the client, Meenambika Estates Co. was at Baillie Street, a place notoriously infested with ‘Pubs’, (only one remains now) and was rather untidy, compared to Queen’s, Prince, Lotus, Duke, Bristol, Flagstaff, Church, Galle Buck and Chatham Streets. The office was right opposite my present one, (certainly the last too), surprisingly, both engaged in the same industry as well. Almost all large-scale corporate businesses used to have their head offices located in Fort in the sixties but many have now moved to various other prime new business locations within the city.

Eight months ago walking up Baillie St, now Mudalige Mawatha, after 45 years, where my new office was located, a place some what deserted being under the High Security Zone, my nostalgia took me down memory lane, that in ‘66 we enjoyed a sumptuous meal at Colombo Cafe for just 90 cent, a plate, along with Bank clerks, who always received special services. Yet I remember the narrow escape, where exactly the Presidential Security post is now located, returning after lunch when an object flew pass missing my colleague’s nose by a whisker, near the Globe Bar (a little usual commotion inside). He thanked me for my change in pace while passing the other pub to listen to the singing, “Que Sera ,..Sera.. “, popular hit, by the reveling customs boys, with their ‘hard earned. . ‘

Financial institutions

A clerk in one of the foreign banks in Fort in the 60s, had same status as today’s middle level manager in private sector. Most of financial institutions like, Indian Bank, State Bank of India, Hong Kong and Shanghai, Greenlays, Chartered, Mercantile, OTS and National Bank, the last five either closed down or amalgamated, were housed in magnificent colonial buildings surrounding the countries top three shops, Cargill’s, Millers and Apothecary’s. The second and third have ‘closed shop’ a couple of decades ago while the first yet operates, but only a fraction of its former glory. I was mesmerized by the grandeur of Chartered Bank’s Dutch architecture.

The idea of the 'Garden City', what we are struggling to learn, was formulated by Sir Ebenezer Howard at the turn of the century, in his book: 'Tomorrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform', in 1898 and was revised in 1902 under the title 'Garden Cities of tomorrow', All Contemporary town-planning charters are based on these works, which are useful for making entire communities and cities not only function more effectively, but also for making common spaces more inviting.

Coming back to Fort, The Echelon Square area where three Five-star hotels, BOC Tower, WTC twins are now located was a shrub covered neglected plot, apart from the Echelon Barracks. The Hospital street area and its environment, with all the illicit hooch dens, practitioners of oldest profession, pimps, tipplers, booths collecting racing chits and other eye-sores catering to port labour over the years, have been cleared and beautified for the 'concerned. . .' and 'Saddened eyes' over 'Tumbling walls' could now walk up and have a pleasing sight.