Abstract:
Nuwara Eliya, often referred to as “Little England,” is a distinguished colonial-era hill station in
Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, renowned for its British-style architecture, tea plantations, and
temperate climate. This study critically examines the role of colonial heritage as a catalyst for
cultural tourism and for both local and national economic development in Nuwara Eliya. Despite
growing tourist arrivals, there is limited academic literature addressing the link between heritage
preservation and sustainable economic outcomes in this postcolonial context. This study adopted
a mixed-methods approach, combining primary data from structured field observations, visitor
tracking at selected heritage sites, and semi-structured interviews with local tourism stakeholders,
Secondary sources included records from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority
(SLTDA), district tourism reports, and peer-reviewed literature. This research focuses on key
colonial assets, including Colonial Hotels and Residences (Grand Hotel, St. Andrew’s Hotel,
Queen’s Cottage), Clubs and Social Establishment (Hill Club, Golf Club), Religious Structures
(Holy Trinity Church), Administrative Buildings (Nuwara Eliya Post Office, Old Court Building),
Tea Heritage (Labukele Tea Factory, Pedro Estate), Transport and infrastructure (Nanu Oya
Railway Station) and Parks and Recreation (Victoria Park, Hakgala Botanical Garden). These sites
are identified as cultural tourism assets based on their architectural features, historical relevance,
and tourist engagement. In 2023, approximately 840,000 tourists (280,000 international and
560,000 domestic tourists) visited Nuwara Eliya. With nearly 48% motivated by heritage tourism,
as indicated by site entry records and interviews. The total economic contribution of heritagedriven tourism was estimated at LKR 4.5 billion, covering accommodation, transport, site fees,
and indirect spending. However, threats such as commercialization, underfunded conservation,
and loss of authenticity have been noted. This study advocates for integrated heritage management
strategies and sustainable tourism development models to preserve and leverage colonial assets.
The findings contribute robust empirical evidence to the discourse on cultural tourism and heritage
economics in postcolonial societies.
