Balapitiya Maha Kappina Walawwa

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Balapitiya Maha Kappina Walawwa during a religious even

Maha Kappina Walawwa in Balapitiya is a historic mansion tracing back to 11th-century Brahmin settlers. Once a grand Dutch-style residence for powerful Mudaliyars, it symbolized the elite Salagama lineage. Though the original structure vanished, a faithful replica now stands as a Buddhist temple and monastic school, preserving its storied legacy.

Walawwa Residences in Balapitiya

In Sri Lanka, Balapitiya is widely regarded as the location with the highest concentration of mansions, with more than thirty-five such residences found in the area. Among the most prominent are Brahmanawatta Walawwa, the birthplace of Senpathi Don Cosmo Wijesekara, the leader associated with the massacre of the Portuguese at Randeniwela in Uva, and Maha Kappina Walawwa, which was inhabited by noble families descended from Brahmins who arrived in Sri Lanka during the 11th century.

Social Significance of the Walawwa

A walawwa refers to the residence of a village headman or a wealthy individual, symbolizing status within the village social hierarchy. Architecturally, it typically consisted of a cluster of interconnected buildings linked by verandas. These residences often featured a central courtyard that separated the private domestic sphere from the public responsibilities of the headman.

Furniture within a walawwa was generally constructed using timber and rattan (wewäl), and was characteristically simple, lacking upholstery. The veranda functioned as the primary living space. Historically, the walawwa was associated with the residences of the Radala, the aristocratic courtiers of the Kandyan royal court. However, this tradition declined following the erosion of their authority under British colonial rule (Scriver & Prakash, 2007).

Arrival of the Salagama Brahmins and Early Settlements

A copper plate inscription issued by King Vijayabahu I (1055–1110 CE) records a grant made on 7 May 1088 CE to Periya Mudali Marikar of Gorakaduwa in Beruwala. This grant acknowledged his role in bringing seven Salagama Brahmins from Saliyamangalam in India. The individuals named in the inscription are Nambudiri, Kappinai, Weerasingi, Weerakkodai, Idirimuni, Walimuni, and Edirisingi. The inscription further emphasizes that these Brahmins were to be cared for under royal patronage, with provisions of land and gifts ensured without deficiency (De Silva, 2012).

These Brahmins subsequently settled in and around Balapitiya, establishing residences and engaging in trade and economic activities.

Colonial Influence and the Salagama Community

By the time the Portuguese arrived, the southern and western coastal regions of Sri Lanka were already major suppliers of high-quality cinnamon, with the Salagama caste emerging as key cultivators. During the Portuguese period, many members of this community adopted Portuguese surnames such as de Silva (also Silva or Zylva), de Zoysa, Abrew, Thabrew, and Mendis.

Location and Lineage of Maha Kappina Walawwa

Near Balapitiya, in the village of Welithara, a road located a few meters before the 78th kilometer post leads to Maha Kappina Walawwa. After crossing the railway line and proceeding approximately 300 metres (984 feet), one reaches the Maha Kappina Walawwa Seema Malaka Viharaya, which also serves as the headquarters of the Amarapura Siri Saddhammawansa Nikaya. The historic Maha Kappina Walawwa once stood within these temple premises.

The lineage associated with this walawwa traces its origins to Brahmana Kappina, one of the seven Brahmins who arrived in the 11th century. The earliest known family name was Kappina, while the title Rajapakse was later conferred during the British period. Over generations, families from Magaliyan, Ranhulu, and Haljothi lineages resided in the mansion, with the Kaluhath lineage being its final custodians (De Silva, 2018).

Administrative Roles and Colonial Hierarchies

During Portuguese rule, the coastal region from Puttalam to Kumbukkan Oya was divided into six administrative units known as totamunas. Chiefs of Welithara, Welisara, and Kaluwamodara belonged to the Kappina lineage and held significant authority in cinnamon plantation administration.

In the Dutch period, a prominent figure from this lineage was Kaluhath Peter de Abrew Wijayagunaratne, who served as Mudaliyar of Governor’s Gate (Maha Mudali). Following his death in 1810, the position passed to his son, Adrian de Abrew Wijayagunaratna Rajapakse, who assumed office in 1811 at the age of forty-four, becoming the youngest individual to hold this position in Sri Lankan history. After his death in 1824, the role was assumed by his cousin, Galwehera Kaluhath Adrian de Abrew Wijayagunaratne Rajapakse (Junior).

Ownership of Maha Kappina Walawwa is believed to have passed to the Kaluhath lineage through the marriage of Mudaliyar Galwehera Kaluhath Adrian de Abrew Wijayagunaratne Rajapakse to Haljothi Caroline De Soysa Wijaya Siriwardhana (De Silva, 2018).

Economic Transformations under British Rule

The Colebrooke–Cameron Reforms (1832–1835) brought significant changes to the plantation economy of Sri Lanka. Government-owned cinnamon and coconut plantations, including the renowned Cinnamon Gardens in Colombo, were sold. A substantial portion of these lands was acquired by the Rajapakse family. In 1824, Maha Mudaliyar Adrian de Silva Rajapakse purchased extensive plantation holdings, which were later managed by his son Samson Rajapakse, who also served as Mudaliyar of Governor’s Gate (Rajapakse, 2023).

Architecture and Folklore of the Walawwa

The Kappina Walawwa evolved architecturally over time and was last renovated in the Dutch style by Mudaliyar Adrian Rajapakse (De Silva, 2018). According to local tradition, during the laying of the foundation, a flapshell turtle (kiri ibbā) emerged from the ground. Although initially seen as an ill omen, astrologers interpreted it as auspicious, identifying the turtle as the second incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Consequently, the structure was built following the path taken by the turtle.

The mansion itself was expansive, featuring a long veranda extending along three sides, supported by tall columns. It included a central courtyard, three living rooms, a large dining hall, a spacious kitchen, and designated quarters for servants and workers. One interesting thing about the dining room was a wooden structure overhead with a rope mechanism. When a servant pulled on it, it created airflow and worked like a basic fan.

Later Generations and Decline

Samson Rajapakse, the only son of Adrian Rajapakse, was born on 30 December 1830. His name is believed to signify strength, although another account suggests it was chosen in honor of an English acquaintance of his father. In 1856, he married Lady Johana Dorathiya Ambaliya, daughter of the Mudaliyar of Lunupokuna Walawwa in Colombo. Following her sudden death, he later married his cousin, Lady Caroline de Soysa Sri Wardhana (De Silva, 2018).

His son, Tudor Dedrick Nathaniel de Abrew Wijayagunaratne Wasala Mudaliyar, continued the family’s administrative service. In 1956, he transferred Maha Kappina Walawwa, along with its religious buildings and lands, to the Saddhammawansa Nikaya. These responsibilities were later carried forward by his wife, Violet Rajapakse (Colombage, 2022).

Destruction and Modern Transformation

In later years, Maha Kappina Walawwa served as a filming location for several productions, including Gamperaliya. However, due to neglect and lack of maintenance, the historic structure was eventually destroyed.

After the year 2000, the land was formally designated as a Buddhist temple. A replica of the original walawwa was constructed with government funding. Additionally, a Baddha Seema Malaka was built on Madu Ganga with the assistance of the Sri Lankan Navy. Today, the site functions as an active Buddhist temple and also operates as a bhikku training school.

Kappina Kodiya -The flag given to Kappina Mudliyar by the Dutch Governor.

Mudaliyar T. D. N. D’a. W. Rajapakse and the Late Mudaliyar S. D'a. W. Rajapakse of Maha Kappina Walawwa source : Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon (1907)

Replica of the Kappina Walawwa which you would see today

References

Colombage, D. (2022, April 16). අමරපුර සිරිසද්ධම්මවංස මහා නිකායේ මූලස්ථානය බලපිටිය මහා කප්පින වලව්ව මහා විහාරය. budusarana.lk. Retrieved July 5, 2024, from https://www.budusarana.lk/budusarana/2022/04/16/tmp.asp?ID=temp01
De Silva, H. (2018, December 8). සුද්දන්ටත් අණදුන් බළපිටියේ මහමුදලි. lankadeepa.com. Retrieved July 5, 2024, from https://www.lankadeepa.lk/Rasawitha/සදදනටත-අණදන-බළපටය-මහමදල/57-541700
De Silva, N. (2012). Flags : Flag Traditions of Sri Lanka. Padmapani Publishers.
Rajapakse, N. (2023, January 26). A Forgotten Son of Lanka. Daily Mirror. Retrieved July 7, 2024, from https://www.dailymirror.lk/print/news-features/A-Forgotten-Son-of-Lanka/131-252950
Scriver, P., & Prakash, V. (2007). Colonial Modernities – Building, Dwelling and Architecture in British India and Ceylon. Taylor & Francis.

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From Colombo to Balapitiya Maha Kappina Walawwa

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Total Distance : 102 Km
Travel Duration : 2 hours
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