As I told you before, study tours was the most enjoyable time for us. One of yet another memorable study tour was to the Hotel Mt. Lavinia. The building originally was the residence of Sir Thomas Maitland who was the Governor of Ceylon from 1805 - 1811. The legend says that he fell in love with one of the local mestizo dancers named Lavinia, whose father was the headman of the troupe. He has made a secret tunnel in the mansion, through which Lavinia smuggled into the mansion in the night.
In 1811, when Sir Thomas Maitland had to leave for Malta for political reasons where he loved and died as a bachelor. His beautiful home was renowned as Mount Lavinia House and the statue of Lady Lavinia can be seen in the middle of the water fountain at the entrance of the Mt. Lavinia Hotel even to this date.
The following is the picture of the entrance of the Hotel followed by the clear image of the statue of Lady Lavinia.
"King" Tom, was sent on
a mission to paradise
A native bare breasted dancer
was training to entertain
Fusion of what two minds could
never comprehend
Two hearts burning with love
lit an undying flame
A flame that still lights up the hallways
of the mansion they cherished.
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