From Weligama to Mount Lavinia: The Story Behind Mama Roma’s New Flagship

In 2021, a hospitality idea began taking shape in Weligama — one built around the warmth, flavours and spirit of Italy, but designed for the Sri Lankan setting.

That idea became Mama Roma.

Founded by hospitality entrepreneur Wansa Hettiarachchi, the Italian dining concept started with a restaurant in Weligama, introducing guests to an Italian-inspired experience centred around food, atmosphere and hospitality.

Now, five years on, Mama Roma has entered a new chapter.

On 8 October 2026, the brand officially opened its new flagship destination in Mount Lavinia, taking the concept beyond a traditional restaurant and bringing together Italian dining, café culture, sports, private events, entertainment and rooftop leisure in one place.

Where It All Began

The Mama Roma story began in Weligama, where the first restaurant was established.

Located at Kurumba Bay, the restaurant developed its identity around Italian and European cuisine, with pizza becoming one of its signature offerings. The concept was never simply about putting food on a plate. From the beginning, the idea was to create a setting where food, atmosphere and hospitality could come together to create memorable experiences for both local and international guests.

The vision for Mama Roma extended beyond a single location.

With more than three decades of experience in Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality industry, Mr. Hettiarachchi saw an opportunity to develop the brand into something bigger — a hospitality concept that could evolve with its location while retaining its focus on food, service and experience.

The new Mount Lavinia flagship is the next expression of that vision.

“From a coastal beginning to a new flagship.”

The Mount Lavinia property represents the next expression of Mama Roma’s hospitality vision.

A New Chapter in Mount Lavinia

Located on Hotel Road, Mount Lavinia, the new Mama Roma has been designed as a multi-level destination rather than simply another place to dine.

The concept gives guests different reasons to visit throughout the day.

At the heart of the property is the Authentic Italian Restaurant, where the focus is on traditional Italian flavours and freshly prepared dishes.

One of its distinctive features is a cinnamon wood-fired pizza oven, bringing a distinctly Sri Lankan element into the preparation of Italian-style pizza.

The menu also features homemade pastas, adding to the focus on freshly prepared Italian favourites.

The experience extends beyond the food itself - from the aroma and theatre of a wood-fired oven to freshly made pasta and an Italian-inspired dining atmosphere.

More Than Just an Italian Restaurant

What sets the Mount Lavinia property apart is the decision to develop Mama Roma into a broader lifestyle and entertainment destination.

The flagship features a café, offering a relaxed setting for coffee, casual dining and daytime visits.

For sports fans, the Mama Roma Sports Bar provides a dedicated space to watch major sporting events through live telecasts, combining food, drinks and the social atmosphere of watching a big game with friends.

The property also includes private dining rooms, designed for celebrations, corporate gatherings, family occasions and other special events.

Above it all, a rooftop smoking lounge offers another space for guests to relax and take in the surroundings of Mount Lavinia.

Together, these spaces create a concept that extends well beyond conventional dining — bringing food, socialising, entertainment and hospitality together within a single destination.

From a Coastal Beginning to a New Flagship

The move from Weligama to Mount Lavinia represents an important evolution for the Mama Roma brand.

Weligama provided the foundation, introducing the concept to a mix of Sri Lankan and international guests in one of the country's popular coastal destinations.

Mount Lavinia offers a different setting — a well-established urban and coastal neighbourhood with its own dining, entertainment and social culture.

The new flagship brings the Mama Roma identity into that environment while retaining the warmth and character that have shaped the brand since its beginnings.

It is, in many ways, a move from a destination restaurant on the South Coast to a flagship city property.

A New Chapter Now Underway

On 8 October 2026, Mama Roma officially opened the doors to its new Mount Lavinia flagship, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s development.

From its first chapter in Weligama to a multi-level destination in Mount Lavinia, the Mama Roma story is ultimately one of evolution.

What started with a passion for Italian food has grown into a destination built around dining, connection and hospitality.