Chandana is our ancestral home in Kandegoda, Ambalangoda, built by our grandfather in 1941, as a ‘new’ home for his young family. Charmingly named ‘Chandana’ (meaning ‘moonlight’), this country house was the ‘home away from home’ where our father spent his youthful holidays and later brought us—his children—for our vacations! This handsome heritage house has now been renovated and refurbished with minimal structural changes, so that the original spirit and style of Chandana remains as friends and family recall; a serene yet lively and welcoming family home. You will wake up to the ‘dawn chorus’ of hundreds of songbirds every morning. You will see monitor lizards ambling across the front lawn, while Mynahs and Black-hooded Orioles flit from tree to tree. You will even see the occasional Purple-faced langur—or more commonly, a Grey Langur monkey—leap from the beli (Bael) fruit tree to the roof with a thump, reminding us of their presence in our living space! These scenes make Chandana unique - the sights and sounds of a blissful retreat where people can gather to enjoy quality time - a lazy long weekend with friends or the celebration of a family birthday or reunion! Chandana has four bedrooms (with A/C) with ensuite bathrooms (with hot water), large sitting and dining rooms, a reading room and small kitchenette. Guests can enjoy the views across the expansive garden, take a dip in the pool or visit the little cinnamon garden behind the house to learn how cinnamon is cultivated. The caretaker couple can make simple but tasty meals, based around traditional Sri Lankan cuisine; rice and curry, string hoppers, roti, pittu, kottu roti etc. Guests may request specific Sri Lankan dishes and pay the staff accordingly (charges are per head - rates can be agreed after a discussion of the menu). Alternatively, guests may bring their own ingredients and groceries and pay the couple money for their efforts, utilities and spices.

Chandana is managed and maintained in the spirit of an ancestral family home - by different members of our family! While I respond to enquiries for any bookings, it is my mother who ensures the day to day running of the place. For any requests from guests when they are in Sri Lanka my brother is just a phone call away. So it is very much a family enterprise and we want those who visit Chandana to feel the warmth of our home.

Kandegoda is a quiet village, just outside of Ambalangoda, which has seen rapid development over the past few years. While the village it self is quiet, there are plenty of things to do in and around Ambalangoda, of which a few are noted below: The Madhu Ganga River Safari; the Ariyapala Mask Museum; Sea Turtle Hatcheries; Moonstone Mines; Galagoda Shailatharama Viharaya and the Natural Rock Pool in Ambalangoda. There are several restaurants and fast-food outlets in Ambalangoda town for those who may want to order/eat a more diverse cuisine.