Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Kumar Sangakkara Revives Galle Fort’s 120-Year-Old Heritage Villa
Kumar Sangakkara restored an old house in Galle Fort, Sri Lanka.
The villa was badly damaged when he bought it.
He and others worked carefully on it for 20 years.
They kept important parts of the original building, such as verandas and courtyards.
They also added modern features so people can live there comfortably.
The house now has four bedrooms, gardens and a rooftop swimming pool.
It looks toward the historic Galle Lighthouse.
The villa shows how an old building can be protected while still being used today.
Its story was featured internationally on ABC Australia’s Culture by Design.
Kumar Sangakkara spent 20 years restoring a dilapidated 120-year-old villa in Galle Fort.
The restored home combines original verandas, courtyards and architectural features with modern interiors.
The villa now has four bedrooms, three courtyard gardens and a rooftop pool overlooking Galle Lighthouse.
Its restoration reflects Sangakkara’s interest in preserving history while adapting heritage buildings for modern living.
The project gained international attention after appearing on ABC Australia’s Culture by Design program.
- Who
- Cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara restored the villa.
- What
- A 120-year-old, formerly dilapidated heritage villa was repaired and adapted for modern living.
- When
- The restoration took 20 years; it recently received international attention through a television feature.
- Where
- Galle Fort, Sri Lanka, overlooking the Galle Lighthouse.
- Why
- To preserve the building’s history and architecture while making it usable as a contemporary home.
- Property age
- 120 years old
- Restoration period
- 20 years
- Bedrooms
- Four
- Courtyard gardens
- Three
- Modern feature
- A rooftop swimming pool
- Heritage setting
- Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- International feature
- ABC Australia’s Culture by Design