Study Trip to Sri Lanka

The students of School of Architecture and Planning G D Goenka University visited Sri Lanka for a week on a study trip during February 2017. Undoubtedly, the country is most appropriately named as the Paradise Island! The students had the opportunity to experience a wide variety of sightseeing of cultural and natural landscapes of Sri Lanka. They visited monuments of national and international significance and most importantly Architectural Marvels of the internationally acclaimed architect Geoffrey Bawa. Number 11, his residence, Lunuganga estate, The Chapter House, The Parliament, The Gangaram Temple, The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall and resorts like Avani Bentota, Jetwing Light house, The Gallery Café, the SOS Village and his brother Bavis Bawa’s famous house and Garden “The Brief”. Bawa’s predominant presence and his love for indigenous material and nature,and his exquisite taste and love for art and sculpture, and his design philosophy resonated in every nook and corner of Sri Lanka. The students enjoyed the breath taking Sunrise and Sunset at the beaches of Galle and Bentota and the uniquely rich flora and fauna through boat rides, visit to the cinnamon island, the Turtle hatchery, the Fish SPA and by participating in a wide variety of adventurous water sports. The tree shaded avenues with public buildings abutting the streets with barely any setbacks and security, the immaculately maintained public roads and gardens, the disciplined movement of traffic and the well-mannered people stole the hearts of the students. Throughout the trip the students indulged in a wide variety of exotic food ranging from king coconut, vegetables and seafood!