Jami Ul Alfar
Saibo Lebbe architect

The Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque at Second Cross Street, in the Pettah Bazaar area, is one of the most striking buildings in Colombo. Completed in 1909, the Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque is striped red and white like a layer cake, a design that is reminiscent of another mosque which was also completed in 1909, the Masjid Jamek of Kuala Lumpur. Admittedly, though, the Jami-Ul-Alfar is the more garish of the two. The architect of the Jami-Ul-Alfar was one H.L. Saibo Lebbe, and construction began in 1908, completing the following year.

The Masjid was originally constructed in 1908 with a capacity for a congregation of 1500 people, when only around 500 were attending prayers. During the early 70’s it became apparent that space was going to be a constraint and it was in 1975 that the initial expansion of the mosque commenced.


Today the numbers have significantly increased especially for Jummah prayers, which is around 5000. On a normal working day about 2000 congregate for Jammath prayers whilst during the Ramazan days  more than 3000 congregate for Jammath Prayers.