An ancient rest for travellers, an Ambalama was usually built under the patronage of village or regional elite and maintained by the village. A pot of drinking water was on hand to quench the thirst of a tired traveller – a concept based on the Buddhist philosophy of `dhana’, the act of giving. The Karagahagedera Ambalama located near Kandy is one of the best preserved Ambalamas from what was once a vast network of these free rest places. Dating back to the 16th century the wooden structure at Karagahagedera Ambalama is perfectly balanced on granite boulders. The solid wooden ‘seats’ are polished smooth with centuries of use. The modern traveller can relax for hours looking out over the paddy fields. Depending on the season, the Ambalama provides front row seats to watch tilling or harvesting. If the harvest is in, ad-hoc village cricket may have taken over the field.

Old feudal manor houses passed down in generations, still remain in the ownership of various Kandyan families. Notable features are the verandas, central Mada Midula or courtyards, columns and the ‘atuwa' or the granary that was used to store paddy. The Kandy House situated in Gunnapana owned by the Ratwatte family is an example of a magnificent walauwa. The Kandy House is now a refurbished boutique hotel where you can experience the ancient Kandyan heritage. Portuguese and Dutch architectural influences can be seen in the walauwas of the coastal areas. The Tamarind Hill and Dutch House in Galle are both exquisite boutique hotels housed in centuries old colonial period bungalows.

In the central Sri Lankan highlands the countries stunning tea valleys are found. These valleys are home to old Ceylon and its British colonial past. Here, most of the tea estate bungalows built during the British colonial period still remain and are now used as holiday bungalows. Complete with gabled roofs, hardwood floors and fireplaces, these bungalows are situated amidst acres of lush green tea plantations. Four classic colonial bungalows - Summerville, Castlereagh, Tientsin, and Norwood built for British tea estate managers, have been caringly restored by Dilmah Tea with the cooperation of Bogawantalawa Tea Estates in Dickoya and now go under the name of Ceylon Tea Trails and provide a memorable holiday experience. Netherbyres in Haputale and Kirchhayn in Bandarawela are also two wonderful colonial period tea planter’s bungalows located in the Southern Highlands.

'The architecture of an Island – the living legacy of Sri Lanka'
By Ronald Lewcock, Barara Sansoni, Laki Senanayake, 1998

'Sri Lanka Style – Tropical Design and Architecture'
By Channa Daswatte & Dominic Sansoni, 2006

Images of old Ceylon
Architecture, landscape, and images of old Ceylon - Click Here

Red Dot Bookstore
On line bookstore with titles on Sri Lanka’s architecture, culture & history - Click Here