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From Kodippili Walawwa to Woodlands Family Villa
Some houses are built with brick and timber. Others are built with memories.
Tucked away inside the green embrace of Woodland Estate in Gonapinuwala, the old Kodippili Walawwa stands as more than a beautifully renovated ancestral home. It is a place where generations have passed through its wide verandas, where names are spoken with affection, and where the past still feels close enough to touch.
Today, the walawwa has been lovingly restored and renamed Woodlands Family Villa—a holiday home that welcomes guests from around the world. But for Laksri Goonawardena, this is not simply a property. It is a family heartbeat that never stopped.
Laksri Goonawardena recalls a home, a promise, and a legacy reborn
Laksri Goonawardena recalls a home, a promise, and a legacy reborn
I was still very young when Kodippili Walawwa was at its liveliest, but I remember it clearly. I can still picture Athur Seeya and Lani Bappa living there. Later, the house was home to Marjorie Nanda, Beryl Nanda, Einid Nanda, Christabel Nanda, and Dr. Lakshman Kodippili. Each of them left their mark on that home. For me, the walawwa was never just a building—it was a world filled with familiar faces and warm memories.
In time, the walawwa passed to the next generation and came into the hands of my beloved cousin, the late Gihan Weerassooriya. Although he was not living down South and decided to sell his other lands in Woodlands, he chose not to sell the walawwa. He always wanted it to remain in the family.
He asked me to buy it from him, but at that time, I did not have the money. What happened next is something I will never forget. Gihan said my word was enough. He transferred the property to me in front of a lawyer without exchanging a single penny.
The lawyer was amazed. He said it was the first time he had seen land transferred purely on a promise. Gihan simply said, “මු මගේ මල්ලි. මම මුගේ අයියා. හෙට මු මට ටටා කිව්වත්, මම මේක දැන් ලියලා ඉවරයි.”
In that moment, I felt deeply loved and trusted. I made sure to honour that trust and was able to settle the money within three months.
A restoration with respect
A restoration with respect
When I took over the walawwa, it came with many treasured items that I have carefully protected to this day—the armchair Marjorie Nanda used to sit in, clay pots, naambiliya, wangediya, mol gaha, and even the bucket Colonel Arnolis Weerassooriya used to wash his face from. These are not antiques to me; they are living pieces of our history.
The house needed repairs, but I did not want to change its character. My dream was to preserve its structure while enhancing its beauty and to open it up so others could experience a true Sri Lankan ancestral home. With the help of my eldest daughter, Chartered Architect Lakshika Goonawardena, we carefully redesigned and restored the walawwa. Today, it is known as Woodlands Family Villa—where heritage and comfort exist side by side.
The villa now offers five air-conditioned bedrooms, four bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a newly added swimming pool that brings a touch of modern luxury while respecting the old-world charm.
A villa surrounded by abundance
A villa surrounded by abundance
The gardens are one of the most special features of the property. The land is rich with fruit trees and a variety of plants. Towards the bottom of the extensive gardens, we have developed an organic vegetable cultivation area and a greenhouse. We grow seasonal vegetables using natural methods, and guests can see how everything is grown—and often taste produce harvested fresh from the garden. The greenhouse allows us to nurture seedlings and more delicate crops year-round, maintaining quality and sustainability. It adds another dimension to the experience, connecting visitors to the land in a simple but meaningful way.
Another special feature of the villa is our paddle pool, filled by a natural spring with cool, fresh water flowing in just as it did in the old days.
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