The Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka is a Roman Catholic church with basilica status in Tewatte, Sri Lanka. Being thus in a somewhat distant suburb of Colombo, it comes under the purview of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Colombo and is a site of pilgrimage for Sri Lankan Catholics.
The undercroft of the basilica contains three burial vaults and another containing the remaining of the late Most Revd. Dr. Thomas Cardinal Cooray. Nearby a man-made reservoir amongst two mountain tops and a stream rushing along the forest adds to the charms of basilica and provides a well-earned respite to the clergy and faithful who flock to the basilica for prayer and worship.
History of the Thewatte Basilica
Our Lady of Lanka began its life in 1911 as a tiny chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes (Mary Immaculate), France. It was built by the local pastor Fr. A. Kieger and a few Catholic laymen, and was a part of the parish of Ragama at the time. Years later in 1917 another pastor of the chapel Fr. A. Collorec had a grotto built for Our Lady of Lourdes, with the assistance of some Catholic workers from Colombo. With time the place became more popular, as the local Hindus and Buddhists started attending the services as well. This led to the chapel being expanded into a church in the 1930s.
Thewatta National Basilica Mass schedule
· Monday. 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
· Tuesday. 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
· Wednesday. 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
· Thursday. 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
· Friday. 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
· Saturday. 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM.
· Sunday. 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM.
How to Reach?
From Colombo to Thewatta Besilika Church 22km Far away. You can choose easy way to reach Thewatta Besilika Church.
What You Can Do Here?
If you visit in Thewatta Besilika Church, there are lots of things to do & watch here Thewatta Besilika Church. If you travelling Thewatta Besilika Church, you can watch church architecture, visit water world, take photos & many more.
Watch the Architecture in Thewatta Church
The architecture of the Basilica is a charming mix of local and traditional architecture. It is a marvelous Asian cultural symbol designed by Fr. Heras that includes a lot of local historical, cultural and archaeological components.
The front porch of the basilica is supported by six Grecian looking pillars, to commemorate the number of dioceses in Sri Lanka during the Second World War; the war that was the central influence in creating the basilica. The porch is crowned by a two-dimensional flame like design, the center of which is hollow. That hollow circle is set with glass panes pieced into an intriguing spider’s web; and at the centre of the web is a cross bearing the figure of Christ. This bronze figurine was sculpted by the Sri Lankan artist, Leila Peiris. It was made with a resemblance of Christ’s face on the shroud of Turin, as per the insistence of the Cardinal. The glass panels and the cross front a high arched corridor with a ribbed roof reminiscent the entrance of the Ajanta caves in India.
Visit Water World
Water World is South Asia’s first underwater tunnel aquarium and is the only public aquarium in Sri Lanka. Despite the name, the attraction is actually a combination of two parks, the aquarium and a bird park.
Sightseeing
If you travel to Thewatta Church, you can watch beautiful surroundings. And spend time relax.
Take photos
You can take lots of photos. There are eye pleasing surroundings. You can take variety pictures.
