Viharamahadevi Park (Old).

The city’s one green lung

Viharamahadevi Park (VMDP) is Colombo’s only major public park. As such it’s a rather important place, providing the sole significant green space and lung for the city’s 1 million + inhabitants. Like any major park it features trees, lawns, ponds and paths so those confined to a city’s concrete sprawl can have a taste of the great out doors. In addition to all the standard features of a  city park it also has a host of extra amenities; a giant golden Buddha statue, a neglected aquarium, a kids playground, a rideable toy train, a suspension bridge, an ancient fighter jet, Colombo’s only amusement park, horses and, on a good day, elephants. Well I suppose if your city only has one park it may as well have everything in it. However despite being chocked full of seemingly good things to do there’s something off about Colombo’s showpiece public space.

The reality is that the park formerly known as Victoria has been neglected for years. The aquarium no longer functions, the giant, vaguely death defying slide a generation of Colombars sped down has been barricaded, the suspension bridge closed off and it seems the toy train puffs no more. But worse than the malfunction of these once beloved distractions is the fact that the basic green space is strewn with litter and the prone bodies of the homeless. This is somewhat odd as the government has poured money into urban ‘beautification projects’ and VMDP sits at the very heart of Colombo 7 – the nation’s residential district ne plus ultra. While the rest of Colombo (well, predominantly the wealthier Colombo South) has been fairly thoroughly spruced up the city’s premier green space looks worse than it has for years.

The park’s poor state clearly hasn’t gone unnoticed by the powers that govern. Last year, responsibility for its upkeep was transferred from the municipal council – its traditional and logical custodian – and handed over to the Navy. The government’s logic being that the more efficient sailor boys would do a better job looking after it than the tuk tuk drivers, opposition members, and other assorted riff raff who commonly populate the CMC. However, over a year after the Navy takeover, the park is still in poor shape. In fact, some of the Navy’s rejuvenation work – slashing back vegetation and cutting down several old trees – seems to have made the park less pleasant. More work is on-going though and the latest scheme it seems is to turn the grounds outside the Colombo town hall into an extension of the park creating a larger more accessible green space.

There does appear to be a comprehensive plan for this re-development http://www.defence.lk/news/pdf/TownHall.pdf. So, given continued attention and the government’s tendency towards lavish expenditure on public projects there’s every reason to believe that a new and better park will emerge from the stumps and hacked off branches of the old one.

For now, however, VMDP is in bad shape. Some of the water features appear to be stagnant and as the park’s substantial homeless population do need to yield to certain bodily requirements you’ll encounter serious malodoresness in parts.

Homosexual Park

Speaking of bodily requirements, VMDP has also long been synonymous with courting couples. Courting being a broad term that covers everything from chaperoned walks and light hand holding to heavier than heavy petting, and X-rated action under the shade of unblushing trees. In a city where the overwhelming majority of young men and women live at home and enjoy little privacy, the park has long been the best and least expensive venue in which to satisfy certain fundamental urges.

Despite the unquenchable and inevitable nature of these urges park authorities have waged a determined war against ‘courting.’ Constant efforts are made to harass under umbrella acrobats, and coconut tree contortionists – the Police have even made arrests.

This draconian de-coupling has always riled liberally minded Colombars – isn’t love a natural right? – but there is a real issue here. Colombo suffers from a dearth of public spaces. The park therefore is invaluable for shelter seeking canoodlers but it’s also the only free place in a city of 1-3 million (depending on where you draw the line) where children can run and families can stroll, in the absence of fumes and deadly traffic.

Authorities therefore must strike a balance between the needs of VMDP’s two core user groups.  Their current idea seems to be to only allow couples into the park at certain times. Therefore couples or mixed sex pairs sometimes simply cannot enter the park, we couldn’t quite ascertain at which times. Even if all you plan on doing is walking from Green Path through to Town Hall. This seems like an infringement of the right to movement through a public space and also determined courters can enter singly and then, er, hook up. Still, the gatekeeper’s are so keen on enforced decoupling that when YAMU visited as a  mixed group of three men and one woman we were almost barred (God knows what they thought we were about to do).

Again the conflict between childhood innocence and young adult fumbling is a serious issue but creating a homosexual entrance park can’t possibly be the solution. A code of conduct, ie heterosexual groups permitted however no hand holding or even amorous gazing on pain of being thrown in the stagnant pool, might be an idea. However, enforcement is the issue and the park already seems to have enough issues.

Despite the rather negative review it’s important to bare in mind that this is Colombo’s only major park.  With its spread of mature trees view of the town hall, Nelum Pokuna and fair showing of bird life it’s far from an unpleasant place to spend time in. Reading a book on a vacant bench during the uncrowded afternoons or a lunch time picnic by one of the less stagnant ponds is unfailingly pleasant as is cutting through the park when navigating the large distances between Colombo 7’s boulevards.

So ultimately we recommend that as many Colombars as possible make their way into the park.  More than anything that’s the only way ordinary citizens can keep track of what exactly the government is doing with our only park. We cant exactly delegate that responsibility to the park’s habitual users – children, cavorters and the homeless, can we?

Any update on visits to the park and what progress/regress you see are appreciated.

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Across Borders: A Culinary Bridge Between India and Sri Lanka Through Peshawri’s Timeless Flavors

By Vimasha Vishvadari Peshawri, a renowned restaurant chain, originated from the iconic Bukhara restaurant in

Highlights Kamu

Tenkū – a hidden Gem of the Japanese Cuisine

By Vimasha Weerawansha Ambience  The Kingsbury Rooftop offers a breathtaking panorama of the cityscape and

Highlights Kamu

Discovering Kamikura: A Journey into Authentic Japanese Cuisine

dBy Sharon Nonis Welcome to Kamikura, where the essence of Japanese cuisine meets the heart

Kamu

Full’R Burgers is Flipping into Maharagama

by Vimasha Vishvadari If you're on the lookout for the ideal burger spot in the

Kamu

Yi Jing Unveiled: Sri Lanka’s Top Chinese Dining at ITC Ratnadipa Blends Tradition with Modern Flair

By Poornima Bandara Yi Jing Unveiled: Sri Lanka’s Premier Chinese Dining Experience at ITC Ratnadipa

Highlights Kamu

Seafood Watti Rice: A Flavorful Feast from Fathi’s Spice Attic

Watti Rice is a delightful Sri Lankan dish that combines various meats, such as seafood

Highlights Kamu

Trending.

Mount Lavinia Hotel Hosts Traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony, Welcomes the Christmas Season with Festivities and Special Offerings

Mount Lavinia Hotel welcomed the festive season in grand style with its traditional Annual Tree

Trending

From Dusk Till Dawn: The Visionary Behind Sri Lanka’s nightlife revolution

By Vimasha Weerawansha  If you’re into nightlife and crave bold, unforgettable flavors, Sheran de Fonseka’s

Highlights Trending

Shangri-La Colombo Ushers in the Festive Season with a Spectacular Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The festive spirit came alive at Shangri-La Colombo as the hotel hosted its much-anticipated Christmas

Trending

Discover Global Tastes: A Flavorful Adventure at The Kingsbury Buffet

By Sharon Nonis The Kingsbury Colombo offers one of the finest buffet experiences in the

Trending

Authentic Fusion Paella at Ocean

From November 5th to 30th, Ocean at The Kingsbury, invites guests to enjoy an authentic

Trending

Radisson Hotel Kandy Achieves Safehotels Certification

Radisson Hotel Kandy joins Radisson Blu Resort Galle and Radisson Hotel Colombo in proudly achieving

Trending

Yamu Guide.

9 Unisex Gift Ideas for Your Friends

Written by Fathima Rukaiya, Finding the perfect gift for your friends can be a delightful

Highlights Trending Yamu Guide

9 Must-Read Self-Help Books for Personal Growth

By Jordain De Mel In recent years, people have turned to self-help books to serve

Highlights Yamu Guide

Top Restaurants with the best Cashback offers from Mintpay

With Mintpay, have a gastronomic journey and earn cashback rewards as you go! Every taste

Highlights Yamu Guide

10 Places To Celebrate Father’s Day 2024

By Fathima Rukaiya, Father’s Day is a special occasion dedicated to honoring fathers and celebrating

Highlights Yamu Guide

Top 10 Places to Work or Study in Colombo in 2024

By Fathima Rukaiya Hey there! Feeling the walls closing in at home while you work

Highlights Yamu Guide