Project Description

Sandharas Werala – Community Park 

Transforming an underutilised beach into a healing space for the coastal community of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Located near the southern border of Moratuwa, this once-thriving beach now lies in ruins, having been devastated by the 2004 tsunami & subsequently abandoned by the community. Overgrown vegetation, collapsed structures & rising crime have turned the area into a zone of fear, especially for women & children. The Park proposes a healing transformation of this space into a sanctuary of revival of the land, the people & the community’s spirit

The design responds to physical, emotional, and ecological needs through three healing zones:

– Sports & Games for youth empowerment and social cohesion

– Nature zones to restore coastal ecology and offer a quiet retreat

– Personal Development spaces, including an amphitheatre, meditation areas, and a central hub for vocational training and child development

This central facility empowers self-employed women, supports children’s development, &anchors the park as a space of dignity & growth. Additional spaces for music, art & contemplation provide creative outlets for personal & communal healing

Beyond aesthetics, this project seeks to restore safety, rebuild community bonds & invite ecological care. It is a space that remembers trauma but also reclaims joy. Like nurturing a baby bird to flight, this Park offers care, courage & a path forward for those who have been left behind