The Mirando Walawwa in Mahahunupitiya, Negombo, where Muhandiram Magina Mercilus Henry Mirando once resided, is now a Hindu temple. His father was Mudaliyar Andrew Paul Mirando, and his mother was Anna, daughter of Walisinghe Juwanis de Silva, a wealthy landowner and planter. Based on her lineage, it is assumed that she was related to Walisinghe Edward de Silva, also known as Brahmachari Walisinghe Harischandra. Henry’s grandfather, Marcus Mirando, was a medical practitioner in Magalle, Galle. Henry was born in 1870 and received his education at the Wesleyan Mission School in Negombo and at Royal College, Colombo.
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| Muhandiram Mercilus Henry Mirando |
He joined the public service in 1896, beginning his career as a clerk at the Negombo District Court. After two years, he was promoted to the position of court translator. In 1904, he was appointed as a Muhandiram of the North Alutkuru Korale and served as an officer responsible for criminal investigations in the Negombo judicial division. In 1902, he married Nancy Maria, the eldest daughter of Muhandiram Seeman de Silva, a wealthy landowner and gold merchant in the Kurunegala district. In addition to his inherited coconut plantations in Magalle, Galle, he also owned urban properties in Negombo and estates in North Alutkuru Korale. A devout Buddhist, he also served as the secretary of the Negombo branch of the Lanka Agricultural Society.
Located near the main Negombo Divulapitiya road in Mahahunupitiya, the architectural features of this Walawwa suggest that it was constructed toward the end of the 19th century. Since Henry Mirando was born in 1870, it is likely that the Walawwa was built by his father, Mudaliyar Andrew Paul Mirando. Given that Henry married in 1902, it can be assumed that the Walawwa remained in the family for at least 50 years before being handed over to a Hindu priest around the 1950s or 60s, eventually becoming a Hindu temple. Today, the Walawwa is known as the “Naattu Kovil.” A large portion of the building, including its spacious portico, still remains. In adapting the structure to serve as a temple, a bell tower and Hindu deity statues have been installed on the Walawwa’s portico. The large land area originally associated with the Walawwa has now been divided among the Harischandrapura village in Negombo and various smaller plots, currently limited to just a few acres.
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| Muhandiram Mirando family |
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| A Government's document that mentioned Muhandiram Mirando's Name |
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