The Hamilton Canal also known as the Dutch Canal and Paru Ela in Sinhalese, connecting Puttalam and Colombo, has a rich history dating back to the colonial era. It was first started by the Portuguese (1505–1656) who started cutting the waterway from the Kelani Ganga River. They built the canal to redirect river floods and protect fertile paddy land.
The Negombo Fish Market is a bustling hub of activity located in the coastal city of Negombo, Sri Lanka. It is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and the wide variety of fresh seafood available for sale. Fishermen bring in their catches from the Indian Ocean, and the market comes alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of the sea.
Gampaha Kuttivila Ambalama stands out as a significant resting spot, situated alongside a green paddy field and the Kirindiwela-Batuwita road in Gampaha. Crafted from durable brick and mortar, this Ambalama presents itself as a sturdy rectangular structure. Positioned with its entrance facing the main road, it is embraced by a half-height protective wall.
Narangaspitiya Ambalama is a notable resting place nestled adjacent to a lush paddy field in Gampaha. Constructed from sturdy brick and mortar, this Ambalama stands as a substantial square structure. Positioned with its entrance oriented towards the serene expanse of the paddy fields, it is encircled by a protective half-height wall.
Thibbotugoda Ambalama is a brick and mortar structure with six brick pillars holding the roof. Half of the Ambalama has full hight walls to protect the occupants from rain. The pillars are plain and carry no artwork. The roof is tiled with Calicut tiles.
Horagolla Ambalama is a brick and mortar structure with six brick pillars holding the roof. The rear of the ambalama is a full height while the other 3 sides have half-height walls. The pillars are plain and carry no artwork. A half height wall is built around the building with an opening for the entrance at the front. The roof is tiled with semi cylindrical Sinhala Ulu clay tiles.
Kottunna Ambalama devoid of artistic value, is made of brick and mortar. The skin is made square and the roof is supported on 4 large pillars. The walls are short. The roof is made in the Kandy era Ambalam style with 8 rafters connected to the wooden slats known as Madol Kurupawa without using cross beams. A simple carved lotus flower can usually be seen in Madol Kurupa.
Awariwatta Survey Tower is built in form of 3 cylindrical pillars each smaller in diameter than the bottom one. The height if the top segment is much higher than the other 2. At the top is a platform for surveyors to climb and take measurements. There is a steel ladder to the top. However the ladder of the bottom 2 cylinders are now missing.
The ancient survey tower of Kandawala in Negombo used to lie on the middle of the road on a small patch of land where the Negombo Base Line road meets the Negombo – Katana road. This 150 feet high tower is considered the oldest survey tower and was built during the Dutch occupation era, in 1796 by the Dutch for survey purposes.
Kossinna is a small town between Kadawatha and Ganemulla in Gampaha District. This is a brick and mortar structure with seven brick pillars holding the roof. All the pillars are plain and carries no artwork. A half height wall is built around the building with an opening for the entrance at the front.
Bulugahagoda is a small town between Ragama and Ganemulla in Gampaha District. The Bulugahagoda Ambalama is an way side rest believed to be built about 100 years ago. An Ambalama is a place constructed for pilgrims, traders and travelers to rest or spend the night in the ancient Sri Lanka.
Horagolla National Park is the smallest National park in Sri Lanka. It is situated about 40 km from on a Colombo on a block of land which was part of the Horagolla Estate of the Bandaranayake Family.
History of the Yatawatta Purana Tampita Viharaya is not known but the door frame of the Tampita Viharaya is carved with the date 21 March 1861. This could be the date on which the Tampita Viharaya was built or a major renovation was carried out.
Anuragoda Sri Sumangalarama Purana Tampita Viharaya better known as Anuragoda Tampita Viharaya is old temple lying between Mandawala and Pepiliyawala in Gampaha District.
This Tampita Viharaya is unique in two ways. This structure is built on large pillars built out of a mixture of Kabok and granite rocks instead of granite or wooden pillars. Mahalloluwa is also the only Tampita Viharaya where a reclining Buddha statue can be found.
Mottuna Kireetaramaya Viharaya ( Kiritaramaya Viharaya) is a modern temple today with single out of place building. This building is an ancient ancient Tampita Vihara Ge, a temple built on pillars.
The Tampita Viharaya at the Warapalana Sri Jinendrarama Viharaya is built on 25 granite stumps of about 3 feet in height. The roof is tiled with Sinhala Ulu (semi cylindrical tapered tiles). The structure is 19 feet long and 15 feet 3 inches wide. A 3’10” high short wall is built around the structure.
Ganewatta Purana Bodhimalu Tampita Viharaya has been built on 9 granite stumps with wooden steps at the entrance. The roof is tiled with with flat clay times, a common architectural feature of buildings of Kandyan Era. A small mandapa has been built in front of the building and connected at the roof.
Keragala Padmavathi Rajamaha Viharaya Pirivena was one of the most popular seat of learning of the ancient Kotte Kingdom. Establishment of the temple is attributed to king Vijayabahu IV (1270-1272) of Dambadeniya kingdom
Raddalgoda Sri Jinendrarama Purana Viharaya is an ancient Temple hidden in Mirigama. The unique feature of this temple is the Tampita Viharaya Structure built during Kandyan period.
