TV Times

As part of its bicentenary celebrations, Mount Lavinia Hotel launched a commemorative book on the hotel in a spectacular ceremony followed by the opening of the refurbished museum/gallery with the unveiling of the portraits of the former Governors of Sri Lanka during the British occupancy.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of a portrait of the mysterious girl Lovina Aponsua, a dancer, with whom Governor Maitland fell in Love.

Our cover this week is all about this legendry story

The book titled ‘Mount Lavinia - the Governor's Palace’ consists of 136 pages which provides information in great detail about the legendary Mount Lavinia Hotel, its history, architecture, occupants, festivities, etc… This book is compiled by Ms. Shevanthie Goonasekera on behalf of ‘Paradise Isle Publications’, a publication house based in London, managed and owned by two Sri Lankans.

‘It took six years of intensive and comprehensive research to get all the necessary facts about the Mount Lavinia Hotel and its legendary occupants. I had to travel to Sri Lanka many times to collect the information from the National Archives. In addition, I had to go to Scotland to trace the ancestry of Sir Thomas Maitland’ Ms Goonasekera said at the opening ceremony.

A descendant of the legendary Sir Thomas Maitland, Viscount Ian Maitland presented "Mount Lavinia - the Governor's Palace" to Mr. Sanath Ukwatte, Chairman of Mount Lavinia Hotel.

This book will be available for purchase at the hotel and at some selected bookstores following the launch.

The descendants of Sir Thomas Maitland and Sir Robert Brownrigg graced the ceremony to unveil the portraits of their forefathers who were former British Governors of Sri Lanka.

Governor Paget's portrait unveiled by the British High Commissioner and Governor Barnes's portrait by Mr. Abbas Esufally, Director of the Hemas Group.
The unveiling will continue with Mr. Henry Brownrigg unveiling Governor Brownrigg's portrait and Viscount Maitland unveiling the portrait of the legendary Sir Thomas Maitland, who initiated this magnificent building which was to become the renowned Mount Lavinia Hotel. An interesting fact is that all these Governors resided in Mount Lavinia House during their stay in Sri Lanka.