The Walauwa ( Aristocratic Mansion ) was built between 1938 and 1942 by the returning British High Commissioner of Ceylon and his wife (the owner), Hilda Obeysekera.
Hilda, Lady Paul Pieris, takes credit for most of the design and architecture – incorporating a Kandyan-style sharply pitched roof, large ornate pillars and high vaulted ceilings. The property is located approximately 30 km from Colombo as well as 30 km from the international airport. Situated on a hilltop at 500 ft with breathtaking vistas, surrounded by thousands of acres of plantation lands, the property is reached via a 3 km long exclusive drive way, lined by 100 year old revered large “Na” trees. Arriving at the property one enters the grounds through majestic gates set in a 4 meter high wall. This location provides one with delirious privacy. In 2008, the previous owner, a famous international film star, fell for it and worked exceptionally hard to restore it to its former grand self. With commitments keeping her away from Sri Lanka, the decision was taken to sell again in 2015. The current owners were delighted to pick up the baton and added further refinements and additions to bring the property fully back to its heyday shape. Gardens were re-landscaped and further work done on the interiors to re-create that old aristocratic, yet Bohemian feel. Big open rooms on the ground floor of the Walauwa with covered wrap around verandahs evoke images of large, lavish parties. The totality area of the property measures approximately 7 acres ( 28.328 Sq Mt ) with amazing views to the lowlands. There are the Main Mansion/Walauwa and 3 Stone Houses (Stone House 1, 2 and 3 ) all dating back to the first half of the last century.

The Main House measures approximately 12,000 sq ft (1,114 Sq Mt ) and consists of 3 Suites and 2 Bedrooms, ( All En-Suite Bathrooms ), 3 Living / Dining Areas, Library / Games Room, Kitchen, Store Rooms, Wrap Around Verandas.

The Stone House 1 measures approximately 2,500 Sq Ft (232 Sq Mt ) and consists of 2 Bedrooms (With En-Suite Bathrooms ), Living / Dining Room, Kitchen and Verandas.

The Stone House 2 measures approximately 1,500 Sq Ft (140 Sq Mt ) and consists of a Bedroom with En-Suite Bathroom, Sitting Room and Verandas.

The 2 story Stone House 3 measures approximately 2,500 Sq Ft ( 232 Sq Mt ) and consists of 2 Bedrooms with En-Suite Bathroom, Large Living / Dining multipurpose Area.

The stunning Pool measures approximately 33 Ft x 66 Ft ( 10 Mt x 20 Mt ) with a large Pool Bar, Kitchen, 2 Bathrooms and 5 Pool Day Cabanas each with their own direct access to the pool

Helicopter Landing Area.

Staff Quarters.

Laundry Building with linen room.

Separate building with 3 store rooms

(Standby) generator set

Managers House with 2 Bedrooms with En-Suite Bathrooms and living area and Offices.

Guard House at the entrance of the property.

Walauwa or Walawwa is the name given to a feudal/colonial manor house in Sri Lanka of a native headmen. It is also refers to the feudal social systems that existed during the colonial era.

The term Walauwa is derived from the Tamil word valavu, which denotes a compound or garden, and by implication, a large house with aristocratic connotations. The pinnacle of walauwas in the Sinhala social stratum is the wasala walauwa. Wasala is derived from the Tamil vaasal, which means an entrance. In the Sinhalese social hierarchy, a wasala walawa would typically be the ancestral residence of a mudaliyar.

Walauwas vary in style, elegance and uniqueness depending upon the financial resources of the individual families and in the village or area’s social structure. Most walauwas tend to incorporate aspects of traditional pre-colonial Ceylonese architecture, as well as Dutch and later colonial influences. A walauwa usually consisted of a cluster of buildings linked by verandahs, with an internal courtyard (medamidula), which separated the private life of the family from the headman’s public duties.

The walauwa were traditionally associated with the homes of the courtiers (radala), members of the royal court in Kandy. It was displaced by their colonial equivalents following the dissolution of the Kingdom of Kandy by the British