The Geoffrey Bawa Awards were conceptualised in 2007 to recognise and reward outstanding examples of contemporary Sri Lankan architecture. The Geoffrey Bawa Awards scheme is modelled on the awards scheme of the prestigious Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Geneva, widely acknowledged as having had a significant impact on the architecture of developing countries. Deshamanya Bawa received the Aga Khan’s Special Award for a Lifetime’s Achievement in Architecture in 2001.

The winner of the fifth cycle will be announced at a gala ceremony that celebrates the winners and their work, to be held on Thursday, 23 July 2020, to coincide with Geoffrey Bawa’s 101^st birth anniversary.

The winner will be awarded a sum of one million rupees, as in previous years. Glenn D. Lowry will deliver the lecture at the ceremony.

Several trailblazing architects were recipients of the Geoffrey Bawa Award during the past four cycles of its existence.

Thisara Thanapathy was adjudged winner of the Geoffrey Bawa Award 4^th Cycle for his design of the Spa at Santani, Kandy.

Pradeep Kodikara was awarded winner of the Geoffrey Bawa Award 3^rd Cycle for his design of the Kadju House in Tangalle.

Winner of the Geoffrey Bawa Award 2^nd Cycle was Thisara Thanapathy for his creation, the Sarath Abeyratne House in Colombo 5.

Two winners shared the Geoffrey Bawa Award 1^st Cycle: Lalyn Collure for his creation, The Boulder Garden Hotel, and Shyamika de Silva for her design of the Nalin Indrasena House.