Ematiyagode[i] (mansion) Walawwa[ii]is situated in the area of No. 599 ,Ematiyagaode Grama Niladari Division of Atakalan Korale Meda Pattuwa of Godakewela Divisional Secretariat Division of Ratnapura district of Sabaragamuwa Province of SriLanka. It was built and inhabited by Ematiyagode Gunathilake Alahakoon the great Warrior in year 1761 after receiving the land Proclamation and Copper Tile as a royal endowment awarded by the late King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe to mark the great victory of Katuwana – Matara battles against the Dutch occupation.
According to the architectural design of the (Walawwa) Mansion was built on an air gap of the slightly sloppy landscape of Ematiyagode Village, hence the mansion is free from insects, mosquitoes, Cob webs and poisonous Reptiles. The area is also protected from thunder storms and other natural disasters. People also believe that mansion also protected from powers of the evils forces due to architectural and astrological factors considered while it was built. It is believed that due to minimization of gravity, the inhabitants can live longer with healthy life.
The essential sections of the Walawwa (Mansion) are Outer Verandah and Internal Lobby. (The internal lobby is always required to be decorated with cloth ceiling (Viyana). The Outer verandah is paved using 4 feet high rocky blocks. As cement was not existed in the era, walls were constructed using rubbles with clay and plastered with special mixture made out of termite clay, lime, sand and sugarcane syrup (honey). Hard and thick timbers were used as Lintels above the door frames and window frames. The floor was paved with rubbles compacted with elephant foot trampling and plastered with mixture of termite clay, lime, sand, bee wax and sugarcane syrup. The timbers of roof is treated with mixture made out of special (Makulu) clay. All these practices helped to maintain the cooler environment in the inner lobby. There are four entrances to the mansion form all four directions. Therefore plenty of ventilation and adequate ventilation are blessed with the mansion. The sunlight and air is also getting from the central Court yard. The roof tiles are made out of clay and walls of the inner verandahs are built with special clay (Kirimati); also helped to maintain inner cooler environment which is almost similar to effect of air conditioning.
There are few symbols of walawwa as below. Head of a Horse, A head of a snake and there is a half of a head of a man where it been kept at the court house,
Ematiyagode Walawwa has below
First American Seattleite Picture Of Sri Lanka, Ancient Flag of King Elara and Provincial Flag, Walking Stick of King Sri Wickrama (Water Proof with a mobile Medicine Box built in), Sinhala Spear, Walking sticks to Punish People, Mudliya’s Ceremonial Sword and other belongings, Jewelry Box, Dutch and Sinhala furnishers with Sinhala Sculpture, Nut Cracker used for Old Karaoke dancing ( Dig Ge Dancing), Old Agriculture Equipments, Souvenirs of all Forts in 1761,
Ematiyagode Walawwa has below documents
1761 Sannasa, 1801 Thudapatha, 1811 Ehelapola Judgment which have been given for Ematiyagode (land proclamation) Ninda Gama, The very first Deed of Ematiyagode Ninda Gama, Power of Attorney for a Graphite mine, Souvenirs, Letter from Maduwanwela Disave (letter to show the difference of up country and Low country), One of the very first Sri Lanka marriage certificates, One of the Receipts paid for Village Labor,
[i]Ematiyagode is the name of the village which is also added as the surname of generations belongs to the same family.
[ii]Walawwa is the residence or the mansion of the highest Cast family was living.