Country Sri Lanka District Colombo District | Province Western Province | |
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Time zone Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30) Restaurants Berjaya Hotel, Shore By O, Loon Tao, Ranveli Beach Resort, Buba Beach Seafood Hotels Berjaya Hotel, Palm Beach Hotel, Mount Breeze Hotel, Ranveli Beach Resort, Haus Chandra Hotel | ||
Mount-Lavinia is a suburb in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is inside the administration boundary of Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council.
Map of Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka
The area is a mostly residential suburb, known as Colombo's beach retreat it is famed for its "Golden Mile" of beaches, and has long been a hot spot for tourism and nightlife. It is one of the most liberal regions in Sri Lanka and plays host to the island's annual Gay Pride and Rainbow Kite Festival since 2005.
The area's name arose when the second Governor of Ceylon, Sir Thomas Maitland, acquired land at "Galkissa" (Mount Lavinia) and decided in 1806 to construct a personal residence there. Maitland fell in love with Lovina Aponsuwa, a local mestizo dancer, and continued a romantic affair with her until he was recalled to England in 1811. The Governor’s mansion, which he named "Mount Lavinia House" is now the Mount Lavinia Hotel and the village that surrounded the building has subsequently developed into a bustling area, taking its name from the Governor's mistress, Lovina.
There are other explanations rooted in geography and the natural surroundings, when it comes to the origin of the name Mount Lavinia. The Sinhalese who lived on the coastal belt had named the promontory "Lihiniya Kanda" or "Lihiniyagala" meaning the hill of the sea gull or the rock of the sea gull.
The local name for the town today is Galkissa - Kissa being a somewhat obsolete Sinhala word for rock.
The town came into official recognition when Governor Maitland used the postal address Mt. Lavinia, Ceylon, in 1805, while writing to the British Secretary of State, Lord Castlereagh.
The suburb also boasts S.Thomas' College, one of Sri Lanka's most prestigious primary and secondary schools.