Hanwella Fort (හංවැල්ල බලකොටුව)

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A plan of the Hanwella Fort, Sri Lanka drawn in the 17th century - From the national archives of Netherlands — A plan of the Hanwella Fort, Sri Lanka drawn in the 17th century – From the national archives of the Netherlands

The Hanwella Fort was a vital Sitawaka stronghold and later a kabok fortress under Dutch and British rule. Guarding a key Kelani River crossing, it witnessed centuries of colonial conflict. Today, the only remnant of the ancient site is a Jack Fruit Tree planted by the Prince of Wales in 1875.

From ancient times through the colonial era, Hanwella served as one of the key river crossings on the route to Kandy. The old ford (Thotupola), long used for this purpose, is believed to be the same crossing still found beside the Hanwella Rest House today.

The Sitawaka Kingdom and Early Fortifications

In 1521, following the division of the Kotte Kingdom after the death of King Vijayabahu VI (1518–1521 CE), King Mayadunne, the youngest prince, established the Sitawaka Kingdom at Avissawella. To defend against both the Kotte Kingdom and the Portuguese forces based in Colombo, he fortified Hanwella, recognizing its strategic importance along the Kelani River.

Portuguese and Dutch Control

After the fall of Sitawaka in 1594 CE, the Portuguese took control of Hanwella and, in 1597 CE, constructed a fortress there in the European style. When the Dutch arrived in 1602 CE, they captured the fort from the Portuguese and rebuilt it into a larger, more refined stronghold made of kabok (laterite), completing it in 1684 CE. The Dutch fortress was the principal defensive outpost along the Kelani River near Colombo, serving to protect the city from Kandyan incursions. The nearby Malwana Fort, though closer to Colombo, was comparatively insignificant.

The next fort along the Kelani Ganga River was the Sitawaka Fort, and the third considerable fort was at Ruwanwella.

British Rule and Kandyan Conflicts

Following 1786 CE, the fort came under British control. Several skirmishes with the armies of the Kandyan kings occurred around Hanwella, reflecting its continued strategic value. Reports by Percival in 1800 CE note that a rest house had been established within the old fortress grounds.

Hanwella saw further conflict in 1803 CE after the British defeat in Kandy, when Kandyan forces briefly recaptured the fort. However, the British soon regained control, after which the fort was abandoned and no longer maintained.

Royal Visit and the Surviving Jack Tree

On 17 December 1875 CE, King Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, visited Hanwella and planted a Jack Tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus) within the Rest House premises. Two stone seats were placed around the tree for the royal party attending the ceremony. The same tree still thrives today, standing as a living reminder of the site’s history.

References

Nelson, W. A. (1984). The Dutch forts of Sri Lanka: The military monuments of Ceylon. Canongate Publishing Limited.

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Map of Hanwella Fort

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Traveling Directions to Hanwella Fort (Hanwella Rest House)

Route from Colombo to Hanwella Fort (Hanwella Rest House)

Though : Rajagiriya – Malabe
distance : 32 km
Travel time : 1 hour
Driving directions: see on Google map

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