Kataluwa Walawwa

Kataluwa Maha Walawwa aka Kathaluwa Walawwa is a Colonial Walawwa or villa located in the Galle district of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.. It was built in the 17th century by a Captain of the Portuguese Navy who belonged to the Royal family of Portugal, named Don Owen Ferdinandez who married a noble lady from the Kandyan Royal family. The Royal emblem of his family was engraved on the wall above the arches of the Walawwa which is still visible today. He met the chief priest of Koratota who gave him the name Obeyesekere which meant "your leader" in Sinhalese. As it is said that eight thousand coconut trees were planted it was known as the "Atadahe Watte Walawwa".
As centuries passed by the illustrious members of the Obeyesekere family was in the pinnacle of the Colonial society. Many members of this family who held administrative positions since the Colonial period continued to hold high office even in the national political arena throughout the past few centuries.
Sir Solomon Christoffel Obeyesekere was a member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon. Three of his notable children daughter of Maha Mudaliyar Joan Ilangakoon A sister of Maha Mudaliyar Lambertus Obeyesekere was Corneliya Regina Obeysekere who married Rev. Corneliyus Senanayake. One of their daughters married Adigar J. H. Meedeniya of Meedeniya Walawwa, Ruwanwella, whose children were Adeline Meedeniya who married Sir Alexander Francis Molamure, Ruby Meedeniya who married D.R. Wijewardene and Hercules Meedeniya Rate Mahatmaya who married Violet Ellawala.
The Walawwa and its property was sold by its last occupant Don Justin Arthur Jayawardena, grandson of Gate Mudaliyar Harry Jayawardena and all other heirs in the year 2016.
At present the building is functioning as a hotel after renovations and restorations.

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