Ishantha and The Ancestral Gileemale Walawwa
Ishantha Dassanayake is the sixth-generation descendant of the original owner of the Gileemale Walawwa and village, which are over 300 years old. Today, the magnificent mansion, which once hosted kings and other dignitaries, continues to offer guests unrivalled hospitality.
The recent renovation by Ishantha has transformed this ancestral mansion into an upmarket holiday home with a minimalistic finish, all while preserving its authenticity.
The property has been thoughtfully designed to create a sense of place for guests, featuring a Yoga and Relaxation Lounge in the open interior courtyard, a reading room, a museum of antiques, and numerous relaxing areas decorated with archaeological monuments and paintings.
Ishantha has skilfully balanced his innovative vision with the mansion’s 300-year-old ancestral history, creating a sustainable hospitality entity that revives its bygone glory. Guests can enjoy a range of activities, such as river baths, architectural tours, gem mine exploration, and tea and cinnamon plantation tours, all set within the villa’s lush 25-acre estate.