The Forgotten Ruins of Hamina Kanda

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Hamina Kanda Archaeological Ruins in Wellawaya

Hamina Kanda, belonging to the Haldemulla PS of Badulla District, located approximately two miles from the ancient village of Balaharuwa, is a site steeped in history yet largely veiled in mystery. Accessed via a footpath frequently used by wild animals, the first glimpse of the ruins presents a mound covered in large trees, the overgrown remains of what was once a stupa. The current condition of these ruins is unknown, but a comprehensive description was documented by S. J. Sumanasekara Banda in 1986.

The Hidden Stupa

According to Sumanasekara Banda (1986, pp. 11–13), the stupa at Hamina Kanda is so thickly overgrown with forest that its structure is only discernible by the way the earth mounds around it and by the scattered ancient bricks visible upon close inspection. The stupa rises about 40 feet above the surrounding courtyard. There is evidence that treasure hunters once attempted to dig into the summit, leaving behind an incomplete pit. However, due to the tall trees enveloping it, the stupa is completely hidden from distant view.

The Caves of Hamina Kanda

Roughly 100 yards to the north of the stupa lies a rock cave at the foot of Hamina Kanda. The entrance to this cave is 6 feet 5 inches wide and 5 feet in height, extending inward about 20 feet. While the internal height reaches approximately 7 feet, it is likely that this is not the cave’s full original height due to accumulated soil over the years.

Nearby, the remains of an ancient reservoir can be found. Though it was devoid of water, its bund was still relatively intact and recognizable.

The Reclining Buddha and the Upper Cave

Climbing higher up the rock face, one reaches another cave, remarkable for housing a large Buddha statue. This cave is quite spacious, measuring 34 feet in length and 17 feet 6 inches in width, with a ceiling height of 12 feet. The statue, now mostly destroyed, appears to have been 18 cubits (the length from elbow to the tip of the middle finger) in length. It was constructed from bricks and coated in a layer of white plaster similar to that found in Omuna and Henannegala in the Maha Oya region.

Today, only about 11 feet of the statue remains—from the outstretched hand to the neck. The shoulder width is approximately 5 feet, and the waist area measures around 4 feet. Bricks used in its construction are about 1 foot 2 inches in length, 8 inches wide, and 3 inches thick.

Above this cave is another with a katarama or drip ledge. This upper cave features an inscription carved into the rock beneath the ledge. The inscription reads: “Gapati Shamada Utarasha Lena” (ගපති ශමද උතරශ ලෙණෙ), meaning “The cave of the householder Shamada Uttara.”

The Summit

The summit of Hamina Kanda spreads across a wide area. Hidden among the tall grass and bushes is yet another cave whose entrance is concealed from a distance. The top of the rock is dotted with several natural rock pools, many of which contain clean, drinkable water. One notable feature on the downward slope of the rock, as it descends into the forest, is a picturesque pond filled with pink olu (water lilies), known as Olukema.

From this elevated vantage point, one is treated to a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountain ranges—Ulu Gala nearby and Devagiriya in the far distance.

References

Sumanasekara Banda, S. J. (1986). ඌවේ දායාද (1st ed.). Sarvodaya Vishwa Lekha.

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