About Us

Located in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, the Lake Side at Nuwarawewa is a tribute to the rich history and mysticism that enshrouds the city.

Opened in 1957 by the then Prime Minister of Ceylon Mr S W R D Bandaranaike, the Nuwarawewa Rest house has served many generations of Sri Lankans and foreign guests, royalty and commoners with equal care and attention. Rest houses were Government owned accommodation originally meant for state officials when travelling on work outside Colombo, providing clean, basic but comfortable and meals within the purse of local travellers. In time they opened their doors to foreign guests as well. In 1967 the property was vested in the newly formed Ceylon Tourist Board which leased it to Quickshaws Ltd., a pioneer in domestic Tourism.

Nuwarawewa Rest house grew from 5 rooms to the current 70 rooms in stages and is the largest hotel in Anuradhapura as well as being the second oldest.


The hotel was the first in Anuradhapura to have a swimming pool and the first to install solar water heating. It has since installed a solar power unit which helps reduce the energy it draws from the grid. Following major refurbishment in 2013, it was rebranded the “Lakeside at Nuwarawewa” and with it raised the bar on quality of service, comfort and food for which it is rightly well known.