‘The Kandy Club’: From old charm to modernity

By Sanath Weerasuriya

Heritage properties are major tourist attractions world over. Sri Lanka is no exception in this matter. From Colombo, Galle, most of the mountain cities including Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela, Hatton and Kandy and in the North, hundreds of heritage properties are spread across.

‘The Kandy Club’, though it is not much highlighted, is nearly 150 years old and is a direct link to the colonial past of the hill capital. Located a short distance from the Dalada Maligawa on Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, formerly known as Malabar Street, it is a place that was once patronised by top British civil servants including British-Ceylon’s Governor Generals, their military brass and top-shots in the mercantile sector.

Two British Governors of Ceylon namely Arthur Hamilton-Gordon who served from 1883- 1890 as well as Sir Andrew Caldecott who was Governor from 1937-1944 were among the high-profile personalities who served as presidents of the Kandy Club.

Well- known British civil servant Leonard Woolf who served in Ceylon from 1904-1911 spent a year in Kandy and wrote of his experience at the Kandy Club in his autobiography ‘Growing’ which gives an insight into the social life of those serving in the  colonial administration.

The Club was founded in 1877 and was housed initially in what was then the first nursing home in Kandy. Later it moved to Haramby House (now Hotel Suisse). The Club thereon moved its premises to two other locations before settling into its current premises in April 1948 having acquired the present property on Malabar Street.

The club culture which is a legacy of British rule and remains active in countries once governed by Britain were founded as social centres for those serving at civil stations and the military where officers and their family members met for leisure, exercise and to keep up with the latest on the grapevine. Then the clubs were exclusively for Europeans. They began to open up to locals only in the years before independence.

Leonard Woolf served in Kandy for a year starting from August 1907 before his transfer as Acting Assistant Government Agent to the Hambantota District. Woolf wrote of his impression of the KandyClub as well the British club culture in general in this autobiography.

The first Sri Lankans to be admitted as members of the Kanyd Club were Chandra Wijenayake, former Chairman of Central Finance Company Limited, Col. Stanley Ratwatte, Dr. Nadesan and Alan Nugawela.  The first Sri Lankan President of the Club was Col. S. D. Ratwatte, who was elected in 1965/1966.

A walk inside the premises of  the Kandy Club gives an insight into the colonial past of the place with group photographs framed and hung on the walls showing men, all British, in uniform. The oldest billiard table in the country too is housed at the Kandy Club.

This Club continues to retain its old charm amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy street. Being a ‘Members only club’ it serves as one of the exclusive service providers for travellers visiting Kandy.

Today the Kandy Club has around 300 members with the demand for membership remaining high. The Club boasts of having traditional Colonial style six rooms equipped with modern amenities such as LED TV, IDD facilities, mini bar, hot and cold running water, tea/coffee making facilities, Wi Fi connection, safety lockers and open private terrace. The accommodation offers full-day security and luggage storage space for guests.                 

It’s a distant cry from the heydays of colonial rule but the Kandy Club stands out as a reminder of days gone by while adapting to the changes of the present day.

The management has ensured that the place retains a high standard in its services with non-members allowed access to services through a member.

A traditional restaurant can be found at the property, offering a child-friendly buffet. Ã la carte and Continental breakfast options with warm dishes, local specialities and English breakfast are available every morning at the main restaurant. The Kandy Club features a picnic area for private functions and a terrace.

Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Kandy City Center Shopping Mall, Sri Dalada Maligawa, Tea Museum, Peradeniya Gardens and Victoria Golf links.

For more details call 0812057222 or log onto www.facebook.com/thekandyclub