Great — here are top luxury private villas and small villa-style hideaways across Sri Lanka, grouped by region so you can pick the area that suits your plans (south coast beaches, Galle & surrounds, cultural hill country, and central/wildlife areas). I’ve included what makes each special, typical features, and a source you can check for photos, availability and up-to-date rates.

South coast (Mirissa / Weligama / Galle)

• Turtle House (Mirissa cliffs) — dramatic cliff-top Palladian house with large infinity pool, private access to a secluded beach and panoramic sunset views. Ideal for groups wanting privacy close to Mirissa’s surf and whale‑watching. (oliverstravels.com)
• Woolamai Beach House (Talpe / Thalpe, near Galle) — contemporary beachfront villa with open-plan living, direct beach access and staffed service; good for surfers and families wanting immediate ocean access. (theasiacollective.com)
• Villa Pooja Kanda (near Habaraduwa/Galle) — minimalist hilltop villa with pool and lush views inland from the southern coast; quieter option slightly off the main beach strip. (theasiacollective.com)
• Villa Lassana Kanda & Walatta House (south coast) — well‑appointed private villas with pools and ocean or hillside views that frequently appear on “best villas” lists for the Galle region. Good choices for groups and families. (Trip101.com)

Galle & boutique hideaways

• Kahanda Kanda (near Galle) — a boutique luxury property of individually designed villas/suites set in tea and tropical gardens; highly rated for design, food and privacy (several villas have private plunge pools). It’s a top pick if you want understated luxury near Galle Fort. (thetimes.co.uk)
• Galle House (historic villa in/near Galle) — restored colonial villa/house with period character for travelers who want history, style and proximity to Galle Fort’s shops and restaurants. (oliverstravels.com)

Hill country & cultural triangle

• The Kandy House (Kandy) — a restored 19th‑century manor house set in private gardens offering villa-like suites; excellent for culture, tea‑estate visits and a tranquil base for Kandy area sightseeing. (thetimes.co.uk)
• Diyabubula (Art & Jungle Hideaway, near Dambulla) — small, artist-designed collection of private villas & pavilions set in a sculptural water garden; unique option for culture/nature lovers exploring the Cultural Triangle. (en.Wikipedia.org)

Upscale resort villas / private villa options

• Cape Weligama private villas (Weligama) — part of the Cape Weligama resort but offering standalone villas with private pools and service; great if you want villa privacy with resort facilities (spa, dining, excursions). (Resort villa pages and reviews list these among top private villa options on the south coast.) (luxurycollectionsrilanka.com)
• Amanwella & other luxury resorts with private residences — while not always standalone “villas” in some listings, several high‑end resorts on the south coast offer private pool villas or residences that function like private villas with full service and privacy. Check resort sites for resident/ villa availability. (luxurycollectionsrilanka.com)

Why choose these (summary):

• Location variety: cliff-top ocean views (Turtle House), private beach access (Woolamai, Cape Weligama villas), colonial charm (Galle House, The Kandy House), artistic seclusion (Diyabubula) and tea-country privacy (Kahanda Kanda). Sources and curated lists from villa specialists and travel publishers consistently recommend these properties. (Trip101.com)

Booking & practical tips

• Rates and availability change rapidly (seasonal peaks: December–March and July–August; quieter monsoon periods in other months). Always check the villa’s official site or a reputable villa specialist (e.g., Luxury Collection Sri Lanka, villa booking platforms or major OTAs) for current rates, minimum stays and inclusion of staff/chef/transport. (luxurycollectionsrilanka.com)
• Transfer times: many top villas are 1–2 hours from Colombo by road (south coast), and hill‑country villas require longer travel from Colombo or from the nearest airport; consider internal flights or private transfers for comfort.
• Book early for high season and for villas with only one or two units (they sell out quickly).

If you’d like, I can:

• Narrow this list to a particular area (e.g., Mirissa/Galle vs. Kandy/Ella vs. Tangalle).
• Check current availability and approximate nightly rates for specific villas and dates you have in mind (I’d need your travel dates).
• Send direct booking pages or contact details for any of the villas above.

Which area or style do you prefer — beach, cliff-top, colonial, tea‑country, or secluded jungle/artistic hideaway?