Nestled within the Palindanuwara Division of Matugama in Kalutara District stands the Pelenda Gal Kaņu Godella Viharaya, also known as Pelenda Rajamaha Viharaya. Its origins stretch back to the turbulent Kotte era, when Prince Veediya Bandara, one of the kingdom’s fiercest commanders,
St. Andrew’s Church in Haputale, consecrated on September 19, 1869, stands as this symbol of colonial-era architecture and history. Tucked amidst old graves atop a misty hill, the church serves not only as a place of worship but also as a heritage site, attracting both local and international visitors.
The origins of the Kotabowa Devalaya trace back to the era of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe (1798 – 1815) and are intimately tied to an upcountry walawwa known as Otthambadena Walawwa. This Walawwa once oversaw a vast estate spanning 423 acres—land that would later become part of the devalaya itself.
Though unassuming at first glance, this monument marks a pivotal moment in Sri Lanka’s colonial history—the killing of Sylvester Douglas Wilson, Assistant Resident of the Government in Badulla. Wilson’s killing by Butawe Raterala ignited the brutal British suppression of the Uva-Wellassa Rebellion of 1817–1818.
Within the camp, several ancient stone pillars, believed to be part of a Bodhigara (a shrine built around a Bodhi tree), can be seen encircling a Bodhi tree. While it is noted that some of these pillars may have been brought in from another site, the original location remains unidentified. Outside the Bodhigara, a number of stone pillars partially buried under roots and soil, a korawakgala (balustrade stone), and indications of a stone staircase are visible.
About 13 kilometers north of Padaviya, in Padavi Sripura, lies this site of important archaeological value—the area surrounding Olugama Wewa. This site contains ruins dating back to the Anuradhapura Kingdom, though it remains largely overlooked and under-researched.
Kalutara Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1622 after completely demolishing the Buddhist Temple called Gangathilaka Viharaya. Later this fort was captured by King Mayadunne of the Sitawaka kingdom.
The exact origins of the Weniyarawela Ambalama remain unknown. However, it was initially built in a square design with a four-sided sloping roof, much like the nearby Baddegama Ambalama. After falling into disrepair, the Ambalama was rebuilt in 1967, altering its original form and resulting in the loss of much of its historical character.
Further inland from Kuchchaveli lies a vast forested area dotted with ancient monastery ruins. One such site is Sembumale, a site located on a gently elevated rocky plateau covering nearly 50 acres. This entire plateau is strewn with remnants of monastic life, indicating the presence of a once-flourishing monastery.
The modest, square-shaped structure features a roof supported by four sturdy wooden beams set atop square stone pillars. The entire structure rests on a stone platform roughly two feet above the ground. The roof, which has a gentle slope on all four sides, uses two types of clay tiles—steep sections are covered with regular clay tiles, while the flatter portions are topped with traditional Sinhala tiles.
Today, the stretch of land from Ruhunu University to Dondra along the Wellabada road retains the name Wellamadama. The Gana Devi Kovil, however, no longer stands in its original form. What remains is part of the Gana Devi Ambalama (a traditional rest shelter), constructed with coral and stone..
This Ambalama, known as Weragampita Ambalama, is located about 600 meters inland from the old Navimana ferry point on the Nilwala River. Before bridges were built across this river, this ferry point must have been a bustling location. Travelers arriving at the ferry point from distant places would have found this Ambalama a refuge to rest.
The ruins lie on land that had once been used for chena cultivation. Among the remains, we observed hundreds of stone pillars, each about 3 to 3.5 feet tall; several massive stone beams roughly 15 feet in length; a partial relic chamber of a stupa, indicating the structure’s former presence; a fragment believed to be from a medicinal trough.
The Waththewa Ambalama is a modest, square-shaped structure. Built on a small raised platform, its walls stand about 2.5 feet high. From each corner rises a cylindrical pillar that supports the simple roof. The current structure appears to be a recent reconstruction, made using cement.
The Mawela Valagamba Lena Viharaya is located in the village of Lower Kadugannawa, within the Gannawa (Gangnaya) Pattu of Galbada Korale, which is part of Hatarakorale. This village is situated on the border of the Kegalle and Kandy Districts. Therefore, the Viharaya is known by the village name itself.
According to Sinhala Bodhi Vamsa, Maddegama Rajamaha Viharaya is one of the places that King Devanampiyatissa planted a Dethis Pala Bodhi tree, which can still be seen standing majestically atop a rocky outcrop. This place is also claimed as a hiding place for King Walagamba (89-76 BCE) during the Soli invasion.
This archaeological site is located at the upper end of the proposed Kivul Oya Reservoir. What currently appears as an elevated area has reached that state due to soil excavation. The center of this Image House, constructed with four stone pillars each, was dug by treasure hunters a few years ago.
According to folklore, Gurukanda Rajamaha Viharaya is believed to be a place where Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha rested on their journey after bringing the Tooth Relic of the Buddha to Sri Lanka via Lanka Patauna during the reign of King Sirimeghavanna (303-331 CE).
Among the ancient monasteries found in the Mullaitivu District, Mannakandal Kanniyar Kovil Archaeological Site stands out as one of the largest and most architecturally significant. In a publication on Vanni by J. P. Lewis, seven temples are mentioned, and local folklore speaks of seven Vanniyan virgin chieftainesses (kanyā-pradhāni) who once ruled the Vanni region.
Sugandhipuram (Suthanthipuram) village is located in the Maritimepattu Divisional Secretariat of Mullaitivu. To reach Sugandhipuram (Suthanthipuram) Junction, one needs to travel 24.5 km along the Paranthan-Puthukkudiyiruppu road. The distance from Puthukkudiyiruppu to this junction is 10 km. From that junction, travel approximately 6 km towards Sugandhipuram Colony.
