Mount Lavinia
The town is largely a middle class and mostly residential suburb that had until
now escaped most of the damaging industrialisation of neighbouring cities and
urban centres. Famed for its “Golden Mile” of beaches, it has often been a hot
spot for tourism and laid back nightlife.It is one of the most liberal regions
in Sri Lanka
and also plays host to the island’s annual gay pride, including the famed
Rainbow Kite Festiva.
Mount Lavinia
is steeped in history. The city’s name is built up around the original
residence of Sir Thomas Maitland who was the Governor General of Ceylon
from 1805-1811. At a welcoming party held in his honour on his arrival in the
island he set his eyes upon Lovina, a local mestizo dancer, whose father was
the Headman of the troupe. Sir Thomas was smitten by her smile and charms and
soon found himself obsessed by her and took every measure possible to see more
of her.
As it was highly unconventional for an unmarried British
Officer to be seen associating with a local dancing girl, Sir Thomas and his
lover met in secret. Legend says she was smuggled into his mansion through a
secret tunnel that led from her father’s well into a wine cellar in the house.
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