Echelon Barracks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Echelon Barracks |
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| Colombo | |
First Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka Hon. D.S.Senanayaka visiting the 1st battalion of the CLI at the Echelon Square and watching volunteers being trained to handle light machine guns.
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 Echelon Barracks
Location within Sri Lanka
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| Coordinates | 6°55′56″N 79°50′39″E / 6.93222°N 79.84417°E |
| Type | Headquarters building |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1880s |
| In use | 1880s – 1970s |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | Ceylon Artillery |
Echelon Barracks was an old military base located in Colombo Fort, Colombo, a city in Sri Lanka. After Sri Lanka became independent, its new army, called the Ceylon Army, used these barracks.
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A Look Back at Echelon Barracks
Building the Barracks
Echelon Barracks was built a long time ago, in the late 1800s. It was first used by the British Army as their main base in Sri Lanka, which was then called Ceylon. The buildings were two stories high, with wide porches. They were built around a large open space called a parade ground. This ground was big enough for sports like football and hockey.
Echelon Square
The large parade ground became known as Echelon Square. It was right next to the old Parliament building in Colombo. Today, that old Parliament building is the Presidential Secretariat.
What Was It Used For?
For many years, until 1963, Echelon Barracks was the main home for the Ceylon Artillery. This was a special part of the army that used cannons and other big weapons. The barracks also housed the Ministry of Defence, which is the government office in charge of the country's armed forces.
What Happened to the Barracks?
In the early 1970s, the Echelon Barracks buildings were taken down. This was done to make space for new buildings and businesses.
Today's Echelon Square
Since 1997, the World Trade Centre, Colombo has stood in Echelon Square. This is a very tall and modern building complex.
