Old United States Chancery, Colombo

The Old United States Chancery, now the American Center and offices of USAid, is a historic building located on Galle Road in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Originally known as Rickman House, it was built by J. H. Meedeniya Adigar and later became the residence of D. R. Wijewardena, founder of the Lake House newspaper group. The property is notable for its unique land title that extends to the ocean. In 1903, the original house was replaced by a new dwelling designed by Herbert Henry Reid. The building hosted renowned figures like poet Rabindranath Tagore in 1934. Acquired by the U.S. government in 1951, it served as the chancery until 1984, when it was repurposed for USAid offices.