IN THE WORLD WHERE YOU LIVE (A CROWD OF HOUSES)

I think one of the most common questions I have been asked about Sri Lanka is "What are the houses like?". It's a difficult question to answer because there are so many different types to be found. There are Portuguese-era houses, Dutch-era houses and British-era houses. There are city houses, rural houses, high country houses and low country houses. There are slum houses and mansions and houses for anywhere in between. Plantation bungalows and fishermen's houses; modern buildings and ones that look like they have come straight from a story book; there is such a diverse range of architecture that I thought that the best way to answer the question would be with a photo tour.


A modest Negombo home. The family here can not afford all the finishing touches but it is a solid roof over their heads.












Most larger, modern houses follow this style. They are common in developed areas and occassionally can even be found springing up in rural areas. They are elaborate and decorative and, like a frightened animal, like to appear bigger than they really are.










A fisherman's home on the beachfront.

A beautiful rural home, complete with immaculate garden. Something pretty to drool over.

Here's a novel concept. The owner of this old home leases out his verandah to numerous lawyers. Several old tables are lined up along the verandah, each one being the 'office' of a different lawyer. The signs you can see along the lattice are advertising the different lawyers who can be found there. The home owner and his family still reside inside.

In the jungle.

Every now and then you will come across grand old dames such as this one. Cracked and falling apart in places, they still ooze so much more character and charm than most of their modern counterparts.

I doubt I'd be brave enough to stand on it, but it sure is pretty to look at.

From simple (the pile of coconut husks out the front will probably be used for fuel) . . .











. . . to modest, yet stylish . . .

. . . to Sanath Jayasuriya's house. (For those, like me, who aren't really into cricket, Jayasuriya is a member of the Sri Lankan cricket team. Nice digs, huh?!).

A stilt house in the hill country.

Hidden treasures . . .

. . . and the bare necesseties.

A single-room thatch building in Puttalam. It can be said that a home is more than bricks and mortar . . . but then again, sometimes bricks and mortar would be a nice start.

I hope you enjoyed today's tour. Please watch your step as you alight from the bus and have a nice day!