Lunuganga Community Day 2026

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Geoffrey Bawa Trust has announced that the 2026 Lunuganga Community Day will be held today, 17 October. Now in its second edition, this special event opens the grounds of Lunuganga to the local community, encouraging people to wander and experience the grounds at their own pace.

The garden is normally accessible exclusively through guided tours, making Community Day a rare opportunity for visitors to explore and experience an important piece of local history. First held in 2023 as part of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust’s To Lunuganga program, Community Day was a huge success with over 5000 people from the local area turning out to enjoy the garden.

The Lunuganga history

Renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa purchased Lunuganga in 1948, on the cusp of his thirtieth birthday and the country’s independence. Originally a rubber and cinnamon plantation, Bawa replaced these extractive, colonial practices with a rich, diverse garden of native and exotic flora.

In purchasing the property, Bawa wanted to create a place that embraced the natural world while inviting creativity and reverie. An ongoing project throughout his lifetime, Bawa created a lush and sprawling landscape where evidence of human habitation hides within vegetation, and planned waterways and pathways entwined with art and sculpture.

After the architect’s passing in 2003, management of Lunuganga passed to the Geoffrey Bawa and Lunuganga Trusts. The Trusts oversaw building restoration and garden revegetation during the transition from private residence to public site, and today the garden is open for daily tours and overnight stays.

Lunuganga is now recognised as a site of national and historic importance. Bawa continued to modify the property throughout his lifetime, and the current caretakers aim to maintain this openness to change, balancing restoration and conservation activities with the need for ongoing adaptation. The valuable knowledge of the Lunuganga gardeners and staff brings a flexible and collaborative approach to managing the site, ensuring that the property stays true to Bawa’s vision and legacy, while also adapting to changes in climate and increasing visitor numbers.

Attending Community Day at Lunuganga

Opening times are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with entry at the start of each hour. Last entrance is at 4:00 p.m. Garden tours will be closed during this time, allowing for self-guided walks around the grounds. Visitors interested in learning more about the garden are encouraged to follow a series of QR codes with information about its design and history, as well as current restoration projects. Activities for children and youth will also be on offer, including craft activities and a scavenger hunt.

Due to the narrow roads and lack of parking at the property, visitors are strongly encouraged to hire a tuk tuk or car from Bentota or Dedduwa Junction. The cafe and hotel will be closed during this time, and visitors are requested to prepare for the day with food, water, and adequate rain and sun protection. Refreshments will be available for purchase from local vendors.

To help with crowd control, visitors will be permitted to enter the garden at the start of each hour. Please note that if you arrive in the half hour, you will be asked to wait thirty minutes before entering.