Katuwana Fort | AmazingLanka.com

Built in 1645 by the Dutch to guard against Kandyan forces, Katuwana Fort in Hambantota sits on a site dating to Queen Sugala’s era. Destroyed in 1761, the inland fortification was protected in 1980 and restored with Dutch funding.

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Generally, the colonial forts in Sri Lanka were constructed along the coast to protect strategic entry points, particularly harbors, from invading forces. However, several forts were built inland, primarily to defend the lowlands against incursions from the Kandyan Kingdom in the central hills.

Until the fall of the Kandyan Kingdom to the British in 1815, Kandy remained an independent kingdom that resisted the colonial powers controlling the coastal regions. Consequently, the Portuguese and Dutch established several forts along the foothills bordering the Kandyan Kingdom and their own territories. Katuwana Fort, located in the Katuwana Divisional Secretariat Division of the Hambantota District, was one such strategic fortification.

Historical Background

Katuwana Fort was constructed in 1645 by the Dutch East India Company. However, the strategic importance of Katuwana was recognized by the Sinhalese rulers long before the arrival of the Dutch. The Mahawamsa, the Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka, describes a defensive fort constructed by Queen Sugala Devi during her conflict with King Maha Parakramabahu (1153–1186) of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom, when she fought to maintain an independent Ruhuna.

According to Heydt (1952), who visited the fort in 1734, the fort contained two bastions equipped with 12 cannons, together with single- and two-story buildings that served as quarters, stores, surgical theatres, and other facilities. The rampart measured approximately 46 metres by 46 metres (150 feet by 150 feet) and was constructed using massive boulders. It stood approximately 6 meters (20 feet) high on the exterior, while the interior walls ranged from about 2.4 to 3.7 meters (8–12 feet) in height.

The fort was captured and partly destroyed by the Kandyan forces in 1761 during the Matara Rebellion. Following this attack, Katuwana Fort was abandoned and gradually fell into ruin.

Maduwanwela Walawwa Doorway

The original main doorway of the fort is today preserved at the Maduwanwela Walawwa. It is associated with a story concerning Maduwanwela Disawe, popularly known as the Black Prince of Sabaragamuwa.

According to the tradition, the British once issued an arrest warrant for Maduwanwela Disawe. When British soldiers arrived to arrest him, he is said to have captured them and subsequently demanded that the British provide him with a magnificent timber doorway from the old Dutch fort at Katuwana in exchange for the soldiers’ lives.

Restoration and Conservation

By the early 20th century, the ruins of the fort had been incorporated into the development of government facilities. A rural hospital was constructed immediately outside the ramparts, followed by a local administrative center, the Assistant Government Agent’s office and residences, and several other government buildings within the fort.

The Archaeological Department declared Katuwana Fort a protected monument in 1980. Restoration work subsequently commenced on an annual basis, although progress was constrained by the limited funds allocated for conservation each year.

In 2007, the Government of the Netherlands provided assistance for the restoration of the fort. The project also included plans to relocate the government buildings situated within and around the fort, with the intention of conserving the historic site and developing it as a tourist attraction.

The arched entrance of the fort was scientifically excavated, revealing the remains of the original archway. After studying the entrances of other Dutch forts, the Department of Archaeology reconstructed the entrance using traditional craftsmanship and conservation methods.

Access Route

Katuwana Fort can be reached conveniently from Middeniya. Middeniya can be accessed either via Panamure or directly from Embilipitiya.

The ancient well inside the Katuwana Dutch Fort

The massive tree grown on the southern bastion of the Katuwana Dutch Fort

The northern bastion of the Katuwana Dutch Fort

Looking across from the northern bastion to southern bastion inside the Katuwana Dutch Fort

Buildings inside the Katuwana Dutch Fort

The southern bastion of the Katuwana Dutch Fort

Looking across from the southern bastion to northern bastion inside the Katuwana Dutch Fort

Granite arch at the main entrance of the Katuwana Dutch Fort

Bases of the main door frame at Katuwana Dutch Fort

References

Heydt, J. W. (1952). Heydt’s Ceylon : Being the Relevant Sections of the Allerneuester Geographisch- Und Topographischer Schau-Platz Von Africa Und Ost-Indien Etc. Etc – 1744. (R. Raven-Hart, Trans.). Ceylon Government Information Department.

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Map of Katuwana Dutch Fort

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