Ancient Witness Building cum Ambalama in Haldummulla (අම්බලමක් වූ පැරණි හල්දුම්මුල්ල සාක්ෂිකරුවන්ගේ ශාලාව)

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Ancient Witness Building cum Ambalama in Haldummulla after restoration

During the British colonial period, Gam Sabhas, local courts were established in most areas to resolve the small crimes and complaints. Haldummulla had one such Gam Sabha and in 1929, a special building was built for withness of cases to wait until they are called.

This building was built in the form of a Ambalama with the unique features of Ambalama (way side rests) since the ancient kings. Subsequently the village courts were transferred to Bandarawela and this building was used as a Ambalama by the wairy travellers passing this area.

Haldummulla Ambalama (Witness Building) is a brick and mortar structure constructed with short walls on all four sides with the entrance facing the north. Four square pillars rising from the corners hold a roof tiles with Gam Ulu (semi cynical clay tiles). A cement bench has been added at a later date to accommodate seating.

The original village court structure still remained within the village court premises which is used as a Vidatha Center (an center for scientific activities in the area). A new building has been constructed for the Vidatha Center within the old village court complex.

The Haldummulla Ambalama (Witness Building) which was in a dilapidated state was restored by the archaeology department in 2022 to the original model.

This ambalama was declared as an protected archaeological monument by the gazette issued on 23 January 2009.

Ancient Witness Building cum Ambalama in Haldummulla before restoration

References

Urugodawatte, B. (2022) ‘Conservation of the Colonial Period Court Witness Building at Haldummulla’, Achaeo Sri Lanka, 2(3), p. 4.

Also See

Map of Ancient Witness Building cum Ambalama in Haldummulla

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Driving Directions to Ancient Witness Building cum Ambalama in Haldummulla

Haldummulla town to Ancient Witness Building cum Ambalama in Haldummulla

Through :
DIstance : 400 m
Traveling Time : 2 mins
Time to Spend : 10-15 mins
Driving Directions : see on Google Maps here

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References

Also See

Map of Ancient Witness Building cum Ambalama in Haldummulla

Driving Directions to Ancient Witness Building cum Ambalama in Haldummulla

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