Richmond Castle

Have you heard about a Sri Lankan, who donated a sum of Rs. 2,500 to England?

Have you heard about a Sri Lankan, who donated an Ambulance to England?

All this happened during the period of 1888-1949

Do you know "Padikara Mudali Nanayakkara Rajawasala Appuhamilage Don Arthur de Silva Wijesinghe Siriwardena"?

Have you heard about Richmond Castle?

This magnificent hybrid of Indian and British architecture was copied from the plans of an Indian Maharaja’s palace designed by a London architect. The mansion stands majestically at top of a hill, on a 42 acre estate beside the Kalutara-Palatota Road. Richmond Castle is a two-storied building with 15 rooms. All the rooms are naturally air-conditioned. Richmond Castle has 99 door frames, 38 windows and one roof covering the entire mansion. The entire building is characterized by intricate carvings. Italian and Scottish glass windows and mirrors, and shiploads of timber from Burma, were imported to build this magnificent edifice. The mansion is complete with a stable, workers’ quarters, guard rooms, dancing floor and all requirements for a luxury life.

Richmond Castle has a fascinating history. Built in 1896, it is considered to be one of the most spectacular architectural works of the period. It was built for a regional governor turned philanthropist with an impossibly long name - Padikara-Mudaliyar (that’s a title) Rajawasala Appuhamilage Don Arthur de Silva Wijesinghe Siriwardena (1888-1949).

Route to Richmond Castle :

Following are some of the other pictures of the fascinating architecture of Richmond Castle;

Main Entrance

Garden

 Entrance to Richmond Castle

Front

Stairway

Magnificent Wood Crafting of the Stairway

Windows

Meda Midula

Meeting Hall

Bathroom Tiles

Pay a visit to Richmond Castle and find out more about this brilliant Mudaliyar