Following the Irish style of architecture, there is a beautiful mansion in the upcountry of Sri Lanka. About 2 km from Welimada on the Haputale road and another kilometer along the Glenner Estate is what is known as the Addison Bungalow.
The bungalow was built by Sir Thomas Villiers, a British national who has been the Chairman of the George Stewart Company since 1929, around 1931 on a beautiful hilltop.
It is said that he got the name Addis because of the name of the village where he was born in England. The original owner, Sir Thomas Villiers, is said to have been a well-versed scholar in the fields of literature, art, and the environment.
He also maintained a farm of about 15 acres adjacent to his bungalow, in the tradition of the Irish aristocracy. It is rich in fruits such as apples, strawberries, pears and peaches. The Addis Bungalow is made entirely of black stone.
Each room is equipped with a fireplace to heat it.
In 1948, Thomas Williams sold Wimala Wijewardene, a controversial figure in politics at the time, and sold her to a Christian religious organization in 1949.
Various paintings can also be seen here .The bungalow also has several shelves containing books used by Sir Thomas Villiers.
The roof of the bungalow is made entirely of teak wood from Burma.
Today it is known as St. Benedict’s Monastery and is well governed by a Catholic clergy. It also specializes in the production of fresh jams and cordials using local fruits, with the participation of locals.
It is said to have housed a relic of St. Sylvester. You too can enjoy a limited two-day stay at this magnificent mansion near the Tangamale Range and Reserve, which is also known as the ‘Golden Mountain’ where there was a gold deposit in the past.
But for that you have to send a recommendation of the pastor of the church in the area where you live to the administration of that palace.
That is because its administration is deeply concerned about the preservation of its status as a monastery today.
