In September 1999, during that year's East Timorese crisis, the building was heavily damaged by pro-Indonesian integrationist forces. Between 2000 and 2002, under the direction of the World Bank, a first renovation of the building was carried out. The main sponsors of that renovation were the European Commission and the European Union. Upon completion of the renovation, the "Uma Fukun", the official cultural centre of East Timor, was set up in the building, complete with a library, video and didactic facilities and an auditorium. The irony of installing the new East Timor's cultural centre into the former military headquarters of its colonisers was not lost on anyone.