Ehelepola Walawwa & Wax Museum | Kandy

The journey began in 2000, when Athula Herath, a passionate visionary, came across a Madame Tussauds Wax Museum magazine sold by a street vendor named Lianal on Kotugodalla Veediya. Inspired but faced with a lack of local knowledge about wax sculpture, Athula persisted—eventually completing a Polonnaruwa Wax Museum with the support of the government.

Alongside his wax design efforts, the interior design was done by his son, Mahima Herath, a chartered architect, who added architectural refinement and flow to the museum layout.

This experience fueled the concept of building a wax museum representative of the Kandyan Era (1594–1818), which was brought forward in 2022 by Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara to then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe, leading to the formal transfer of the historic Ehelepola Walawwa to Sri Dalada Maligawa.

Ehelepola Nilame (1773 – 1829) was a high-ranking courtier and the 1st Adigar (Maha Adikaram) under the reign of King Sri Wikrama Rajasinha of the Kingdom of Kandy. He served from 1811 to 1814. Following the horrific execution of his wife, Ehelapola Kumari Hami, and their two young children on the king’s orders, Ehelepola aligned with the British and played a pivotal role in orchestrating their invasion of Kandy. His efforts were instrumental in drafting the Kandyan Convention, which marked the fall of the Kandyan Kingdom and its annexation to the British Empire.

After the British gained control of Kandy, they imprisoned many local nobles and Buddhist clergy. The Ehelepola Walawwa was converted into a detention center. Among its unfortunate detainees were Madugalle Nilame, Ellepola Nilame, Keppetipola Nilame, and Kivulegedara Mohottirala, all of whom were executed by the British.

The Walawwa later became part of the Kandy Prison complex, continuing its grim legacy well into the modern era. Even after Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, the building remained under the authority of the Bogambara Prison. Although there were several proposals to preserve it as a public heritage monument, it wasn’t until 2013 that the Prison Department released the property to the President for public redevelopment. However, for many years it remained inaccessible—until now.

Through the restoration and transformation of this powerful site into a historical museum, the Ehelepola Walawwa is finally returning to the people—as a space of remembrance, education, and cultural pride.

The museum features 36 hyper-realistic wax statues of Sri Lanka’s most revered historical personalities, including:

• Ven. Weliwita Sri Saranankara Sangharaja Thera
• Ven. Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Thera
• King Wimaladharmasūriya I & Queen Kusumāsana Devi
• Monarawila Keppetipola Disawe
• Devendra Mulachari
• Governor Robert Brownrigg
• Ehelepola Maha Adikaram, his wife Kumarihami, and their two children

Historical research was conducted in collaboration with respected scholars like Prof. Herath, Prof. Wanathunga, Prof. Chanka Pilapitiya, and Prof. Dasanayake.

Each figure is not only visually accurate but also enhanced with AI-generated authenticity, textured touch elements, and even aromatic cues, delivering a multi-sensory experience for visitors.

The entrance to the Walawwa boasts a perforated façade, a first in Sri Lanka, projecting iconic imagery that blends modern design with deep historical context. Notably, no actual photographs of the Walawwa are displayed to respect its colonial-era misuse—as it was once used by European rulers as a prison to distort its historical significance.

Today, Ehelepola Walawwa is more than a museum. It’s an interactive heritage complex that includes a fine dining restaurant, a shopping arcade, and a traditional courtyard.

King’s Court Restaurant: A refined dining space named “Cousins of the Dynasty”, paying tribute to royal cuisine and the culinary legacy of the Kandyan era.

Prison Arcade (Shop on Porale): A one-of-a-kind shopping arcade with 40 stores—20 on each floor—repurposed from historic colonial prison cells. This concept preserves history while promoting local businesses.

Mada Midula (Courtyard): A Sinhala-style inner courtyard offering a serene gathering space, designed with traditional architecture and local landscaping.

The museum also celebrates Sri Lankan craftsmanship:

• Jewelry: Crafted by Dhammika
• Royal Dresses: Designed by Prof. Virajini
• Nilame Attire: Created by Pubudu
• Shoes & Boots: Handcrafted by Banda Boots

The marketing, branding, and AI development were handled by All In One Holdings Sri Lanka:

• AI Image Generation: By Naween
• Website Development: By Achitha
• Company Leadership: By Chandula
• Brand Concept: By Wikasitha
• Logo Design: Created using the original Mudra (seal) of Ehelepola Nilame, preserving authenticity and royal legacy.

A soft opening was held on 17th July 2025, graced by President Anurara Kura Dissanayake. The museum will be open to the public soon, offering an unforgettable blend of Sri Lankan history and modern artistry.

Location: Ehelepola Walawwa, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Opening Hours & Ticket Info: Coming soon on the official website -
https://ehelepolawalawwa.lk/