BRIEF GARDEN

In the Bawa family, I ask for the brother, Bewis. While Geoffrey has had a successful career as an architect, Bewis has never taken a liking to studies. Instead, he happily squandered his father's inheritance. After long negotiations, Bewis obtained this beautiful property from his father. He turned it into a residence for artists, and especially for debauchery, and designed the gardens himself. His passion for men, especially young teenagers, required a place where he could indulge his homosexual pleasures away from prying eyes. Homosexuality was no more permitted then than now.

Many artists, friends of Bewis Bawa, took advantage of their host's largesse and the beauty of the place to come and seek inspiration in this former rubber plantation. The statues at the entrance to the property are the work of Bawa himself. In the house, you can sit around the table where Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier sat during the filming of Elephant Walk. The management is provided by Lunuganga Estate.

If the front door is closed, don't hesitate to ring the bell, the English-speaking caretaker will open the door for you and will be happy to take you on a tour of the property. For a few extra rupees, you can continue the conversation with him while having tea on the veranda.

The place is located 8 km inland from Beruwala, via Pinhela. It is also possible to reach the address from Aluthgama or Bentota (5 km).