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Tintagel Mansion in Colombo

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Tintagel Mansion that Influenced Sri Lanka's Political History Tintagel Castle is regarded by the English as the sacred land and legendary residence of King Arthur. Inspired by its theme and featuring bold architectural characteristics, a unique mansion reflecting this concept exists in Sri Lanka — the Tintagel Mansion located in Rosmead Place, Colombo 07. Presently operated as a small luxury hotel, this mansion was once owned by Dr. Lucien Arnold Emmanuel de Silva (08/01/1875 – 11/06/1969), Sri Lanka’s first specialist gynecologist. The mansion was designed by Homi Framjee Billimoria (1901–1956), a Parsi architect, and construction was completed in 1929. Around the same period, Dr. de Silva also built another mansion in Kandy known as “Tree Tops.” The mansion in Colombo, which resembles a fortress with no visible roof at first glance, once housed a tennis court, a library of about 6,000 valuable books, and a music room equipped with a grand piano and violins — all meant to support...
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Richmond Castle Mansion in Kalutara

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  Richmond Castle Mansion in Kalutara There is little doubt that those researching history have come across many stories and photographs about the Richmond Castle mansion in Palathota, Kalutara. Numerous accounts and images of this residence can be found online. This house is known as one of the largest private residence in Sri Lanka. Richmond Castle was built by Don Arthur de Silva Wijesinghe Siriwardena (12 November 1889 – 8 July 1947), the Padikara Muhandiram and later Kalutara Chief Mudaliyar, son of Nanayakkara Appuhamilage Don Paulus Silva (1838–1901). Don Paulus Silva, his father, provided the financial backing for the construction of this grand mansion. Mudaliyar  Don Arthur de Silva Wijesinghe Siriwardena Mudaliyar Arthur with his Security  Don Paulus Silva  Paulus Silvas graphite Store and Office Don Paulus Silva was one of the leading businessmen in the island during the 19th century. Born in Badddegama, Galle District, he lost both his parents at the age ...
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Gampaha Agra Walawwa

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Gampaha Agra Walawwa The Agra Walawwa is a highly distinctive building located in Gampaha. It was built by Mr. D.D. Karunaratne, also known as Meneripitiya Appuhamilage Don David Karunaratne, a resident of Gampaha. Construction began in the late 1920s and was completed in the 1930s. According to popular belief, the house was named "Agra" because the craftsmen who constructed it came from Agra, a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, and the architecture follows Indian design styles. Mr. David Karunaratne was a prominent plantation owner, possessing vast rubber and coconut estates, including the coconut estate at Bandiyamulla, Gampaha. A well-known philanthropist and social worker, he also donated the original buildings of Ratnavali Balika Vidyalaya and some of the old structures of the Gampaha District Hospital. He was a founding member of the United National Party, established on September 6, 1946. In Sri Lanka’s (then Ceylon) first parliamentary election held in 1947, ...
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Maligathanna Walawwa

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  Maligathanna Walawwa This manor is located in the historic Aththanagalla area, on land believed since ancient times to be the site of King Sirisangabo’s palace. Keeping this historical legend in mind, this magnificent and solidly built structure reconstructed in the Gampaha District became highly popular among the local people under the name Maligathanna Walawwa. During the colonial era, Maligathanna Walawwa stood on a property exceeding 900 acres. In the past, members of this proud family generously donated large portions of their lands for national, religious, and community purposes. The residents of Naiwala Walawwa in Naiwala and Batadola Walawwa in Nittambuwa are believed to be relatives of Māligāthanna Walawwa. While Naiwala Walawwa has deteriorated due to neglect, Maligathanna Walawwa still stands in splendid condition. This durability is mainly due to the advanced architectural techniques used in its construction. For example, many of its windows are made of a rare and hig...
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Nagoda Jayasinghe Walawwa - Galle

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  Nagoda Jayasinghe Walawwa - Galle Located in a serene setting on a large  estate bordering the Galle–Mapalagama Road, near the beautiful Gin Ganga Valley in the Galle District, stands a house built in the British colonial architectural style. This residence, known as Nagoda Walawwa, was constructed in the latter half of the 19th century by Don Elias Amarasiri Jayasinghe, a prominent first-class industrialist and planter in Sri Lanka at the time. Villagers referred to him as "Seeni Mudiyanse" a title reflecting his major role in the sugar industry during the British colonial period. Mudaliyar Don Elias Amarasiri Jayasinghe  Among the leading sugar producers in the country during that era were: Mudaliyar D.J. Amarasekara of Hanwella, George Winter, a British entrepreneur and the founding editor of what was then known as the Ceylon Observer and Commercial Advertiser, now known as the Observer newspaper, And Elias Jayasinghe. After George Winter passed away in 1853, his wif...
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