Kolonnawa: Murals and Wetlands

Kolonnawa has a distinctive cultural connection, with nature themes adding to the picture in the wider region. The murals at Veheragodalla Vihara in Sedawatte represent an artistic development of the 20th century; at Gothatuwa Wetland Park, the focus is on wetlands and their biodiversity. These different areas of interest can help you tailor your trip to your own interests and then look for a suitable holiday rental.

Murals as a cultural connection

The murals at Veheragodalla Vihara in Sedawatte, Kolonnawa, were created by Prof. Albert Dharmasiri in the 1960s. They represent the furthest development of the 20th-century mural tradition. This statement thus connects two aspects: their dating to the 1960s and their place within a development that spans the entire 20th century. The artist’s name and the artistic tradition provide the cultural theme with a personal and art-historical connection. If you include art history in your trip planning, you can distinguish this focus from the nature-related themes in the wider area and prioritise them according to your interests.

Wetlands in the wider regional area

In the wider regional area, Gothatuwa Wetland Park is located in the Kolonnawa Sanctuary. The habitats and vegetation types found there include Annona woodland, mixed forest, and tall herb-dominated vegetation. The wetland also includes areas of water with floating vegetation, open water, and upland vegetation associated with wetlands. The water areas are therefore described as more than just open spaces: floating vegetation is also part of the picture. At the same time, the diversity extends beyond the water, as woodland and upland vegetation complement the different plant formations. This offers nature enthusiasts a multifaceted theme to explore through water, forest, and different types of vegetation. These differences provide several specific points of interest if you would like to consider wetlands not only as waterscapes but also through their plant formations.

What the biodiversity assessment covers

A 2025 biodiversity assessment recorded 33 endemic animal species at Gothatuwa Wetland Park; six of them were classified as nationally critically endangered. The figures offer two different perspectives: the number of endemic species and the conservation status of some of them. For nature enthusiasts, they complement the habitat and vegetation themes with a specific overview of the animal life. The assessment relates to the park and adds another, numbers-based focus to the region’s nature theme.

Culture or nature as a travel interest

There are therefore two clearly distinct interests to choose from when deciding on a travel theme. The murals lead to the history of 20th-century mural painting and a named artist; the regional nature connection leads to different vegetation types and the biodiversity assessment of Gothatuwa Wetland Park. If you are primarily looking for culture, the artistic context provides a suitable point of interest; if you are interested in nature, the wetlands and their biodiversity are the natural choice. This way, your decision is based on the kind of holiday you want, rather than on a blanket recommendation for all travellers.

Discover more destinations: Gonawala, Ruhunupura, Ragama, Waga, Polgasowita, Thudugala, Padukka, Kimbulapitiya

View the overview of the wider travel region: Western Province.