This document provides a summary of the Mutwal neighborhood in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It describes how the area was formerly a garbage dump but is now undergoing development, though dereliction and decay are still present. It highlights how the neighborhood is best experienced by walking around and encountering the local people and sights. Several notable buildings from the early 1900s that were frequented by the British elite are mentioned. The document also provides brief descriptions of local residents going about their daily lives and livelihoods, including pensioners collecting payments, palm readers, a woman cooking outdoors, a shop owner with a photo of her late husband, and various small home businesses. Several religious sites are described, including temples serving both conventional and uncon

1. WALKABOUT MUTWAL
January 2013

2. A MIXED VISTA
A.K.A Modera (River Mouth)
Used to be Colombo’s garbage
dump. The stink still lingers.
The new promanade is being
built, reflecting development &
dereliction, decay everywhere.

3. SERENDIPITY AROUND EVERY
CORNER
This area is best enjoyed
walking about. From meeting
the colourful locals to seeing life
in places you least expect.
Keens eyes will help identify
Hindu homes with yellow on
their door-step from the ritual
splatter of saffron water

4. THE COLOMBO - 7
OF THE 1900’s
This area has a number
of popular watering holes
frequented by the British elite.
Lasalle formerly owned by
entrepreneur C.S. Antony,
(now by the Church) and Whist
Hall (aka Pradeepa Hall) are
2 of the remaining examples.

5. PENSIONERS
Waiting all morning at the Post
Office for their monthly life
blood – payments.

6. FANCY A PALM READING?
Seated near the Kovils, eagerly
anticipating the patronage
of passing worshippers.

7. LOCAL SMILES
This family has lived here for the
past 60 years in a tiny home
brimming with rich history.

8. EVER READY FOR A PICTURE
A camera is like a magnet. People
love their picture taken. Especially
the children.

9. THE COLOURFUL CHILDREN

10. THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN
She is forced to cook outside,
by the street, as there is no space
in her home for a kitchen.
She is currently bubbling a kola
kenda on a pot, for her children

12. NEVER FORGOTTEN
A shop woman keeps a picture
of her husband on a shelf at
the back of her shop as
a reminder of all that she has
sacrificed to make her living.

13. ENTREPRENEURS
A tiny living room also doubles
up as a TV repair shop. Examples
of the entrepreneurial spirit are
present everywhere you look.

14. THE KOVIL SUPPORTS MANY
There are a number of people
that the Kovil supports.
From people selling traditional
temple offerings to keeping footware
of the worshippers.

15. TEMPLE OFFERINGS TO TEA
The smallest of spaces are
enough to earn enough money to
put food on the family table. `

17. DOMAIN OF THE GODS
The Maha Vishnu Temple, aka Kali
Temple, aka Muttumariammum
temple is particularly significant for
those seeking favour of the Gods
for either protection or vengeance.
Ritual sacrifices used to be
commonplace. Until recently a lady
used to write a curse on an egg
and bash it to the ground.

18. THE BLACK MAGIC TEMPLE
A small room converted into a
temple offering unconventional
services not normally conducted
at main temples.
These include exorcisms,
curses, hexes and sacrifices.
The chief priestess

19. The gods are put to sleep on a swing at night.

21. THE SISTINE CHAPEL
OF COLOMBO
With murals painted by Hendrikus,
(in the 1920s), the St. James
Church is a sanctuary frequented by
those seeking sollace or just a place
to hang out in the hot afternoons.

22. Thank You !
.