Independence Square was built to mark Ceylon's independence from Britain on 4 February 1948. The central Memorial Hall is a handsome open-sided structure in the style of a Kandyan audience hall, flanked by formal gardens, a tank-like reflecting pool, and sculptures of the Lion, the symbol of the nation. It occupies a large area of Cinnamon Gardens and is a popular spot for early-morning walkers, joggers, and families.
The surrounding area, called Independence Arcade, has been developed into a shopping and dining zone in a converted colonial building complex. It's well done by Colombo standards: a relaxed place for coffee or lunch in the gardens.