River House Dambulla

The River House is an eco-friendly weekend house on a four-acre working farm in the hills outside Dambulla, overlooking the Dambulu Oya river. Designed by environmental architect Sunela Jayewardene and built from locally sourced timber and rattan, it has almost no walls beyond its structure, so the forest is in view from every corner. It is a wonderful base for exploring the Cultural Triangle, with the Dambulla Cave Temple a short drive away and elephant safaris at Minneriya within reach.

The swimming pool sits in front of the house among mature trees, with an open sun terrace on one side and a roofed veranda off the kitchen for long, unhurried meals outdoors. There is a garden gazebo on the estate and paths for wandering, and guests regularly spot birds and giant squirrels from the terraces. The setting is peaceful and immersive, ideal for anyone who wants to switch off between temple visits and safaris.

Upstairs, the open-plan living area has a long cushioned sofa and the best of the river views, while downstairs a long wooden dining table with benches sits beside a simple kitchen and barbecue. Three open-air double bedrooms, two in the main house and one in a small annex, have canopy mosquito nets, roller mesh blinds and ceiling fans, and the downstairs bathroom has a private outdoor shower behind stone walls. A caretaker and cook look after the house, breakfast is included and Sri Lankan lunches and dinners can be cooked on request.