'Restore Wolf's historical residence to its pristine glory'

Several of Hambantota's memorable structures are more than a century old, need refurbishment

Raja Waidyasekera, Tissamaharama special corr.

HAMBANTOTA: There are scores of buildings and monuments of historical value at Hambantota that need renovation and restoration.

Among them are the Hambantota Kachcheri, residence of the District Secretary, Light House, Martello Tower, The Gallows, Rest House and Court House. These belong to the British era and should be maintained to retain their pristine glory.

The residence of the District Secretary was set up about a century ago. Leonard Wolf, author and the then Assistant Government Agent of Hambantota occupied this residence in 1908. Leonard Wolf was also the author of the reputed 'Village in the Jungle'.

This building has undergone many changes throughout the years and the basic structure of the house still remains unchanged.

The then Government Agent's office, the present District Secretariat was also constructed a century ago. The Court House in the recent past has been shifted to a new building complex. The Hambantota District Disaster Management Centre is situated here now.

This building is also a century old and remains unchanged. Hambantota Rest House building is also a century old. Its structure still remains unchanged.The Martello tower was constructed for the defence of the empire according to history. Captain Goper of the engineering corps constructed the Martell tower in 1796 in Hambantota.

This was built according to the Martellow tower in Northern Corsica. It was here the first ever fishery museum was set up by the then Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Rajapaksa, the current President. The Light House which is 35 feet in height was also constructed during the British era.

The Gallows was set up during the British era and was used to hang people centenced to gallows. It is said that Leonard Wolf watched the hanging from the Government Agent's bungalow.

The Light House is also a British era monument.

This was a Light House where a lamp was lit and the light reflected towards the sea through the convex mirror. The top of the light house was made of aluminium. This too faces destruction due to non maintenance. The windows and the ladder used to reach the top of the light house has disappeared long since.