Formerly Kankesanthurai Rest House, it was taken over by the Sri Lankan military during the civil war.

After the civil war the military renovated the buildings and turned them into a holiday resort.

During British colonial rule a network of rest houses were built around Ceylon.

[1] Kankesanthurai Rest House was run by the Northern Provincial Road Committee.

[4][5][6] After the civil war ended the military renovated the buildings and turned them into a holiday resort known as Thalsevana.