The tiresome walk under the burning sun in these congested streets remind all walkers the bliss of  spilling a cool bucket of water over the head.

Those who walk towards Gunasinghepura however, get the opportunity of enjoying a nice bucket water by taking cool bath at Gunasinghepura bucket wells.

At first sight, all that can be seen is a house, but once you walk through the front gate you can see the well and the tanks located nearby.

Daminda, who is in charge of providing buckets revealed that even former President  R.Premadasa used to visit this well not only during his youthful days but also after he was elected the President.

"I maintain this place. My father used to do it. Previously this well was owned by a Tamil family, but they sold it and left during the 83 insurgency," he said.

"Those days a bucket of water was 10 cents. Now it's 40. In the past we provided hot water as well. Those days even the patients were brought into this place."

"Due to the increase in electricity rates, we had to stop providing hot water. We earn Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,000 a day," he added.

"Those who used bathe for 10 cents still visit here to take a bath."

He further revealed that the well is nourished by by two water springs and that the well has never dried out.

The Gunasinghepura wells serve many people including porters of Colombo Manning market, lorry drivers and vendors arriving from distant locations as well as drivers and conductors who provide transport facilities to passengers arriving from rural areas.

Pics by- Deva Jayawardhane