Pussella Ambalama in Ridigama (රිදීගම පුස්සැල්ල අම්බලම)

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Built in 1921 by A. V. S. V. Sevuhansetti, the Pusella Ambalama is a dressed-stone wayside rest house. It features interior wall benches, open-upper ventilation, and a raised central platform with four stone pillars supporting a two-sloped timber roof joined by a traditional Keni Madala. Inscribed slabs mark its entrance.

Ambalama structures provided travelers with a safe place to rest overnight, prepare simple meals, and seek shelter from the elements. They were typically built beside frequently used roads, with locations carefully selected to ensure access to essential resources such as wells or streams, enabling travelers to obtain water for drinking and cooking.

Although many ambalams were modest in appearance, they played an indispensable role in supporting travelers. Their simple yet durable construction offered protection, comfort, and a welcome respite from the hardships of long journeys.

Access Route

The village of Pusella is located within the Ridigama Divisional Secretariat in the Kurunegala District. From Kurunegala, travel towards Kandy, passing Mawathagama. After approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 miles), reach the Paragahadeniya town and turn onto Sinhapura Road. Continue for approximately 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) to reach Pusella village. Turn right at the junction and travel a further 500 meters (1,640 ft) to reach the Ambalama.

Architectural Features

The Pusella Ambalama is a comparatively large rectangular structure constructed from dressed stone blocks. It is enclosed on all sides by medium-height stone walls, with an open section beneath the roof that provides ample ventilation. A broad stone ledge runs around the interior perimeter, serving as seating during the day and as a sleeping platform for travelers at night.

Owing to the size of the structure, four stone pillars rise from the center of the Ambalama to support the main roof beams. Around these pillars is a raised central platform approximately 0.6 meters (2 ft) high, creating an additional space that could be used for seating or sleeping.

The roof is formed with two sloping sections that meet at the four central pillars. Its timber framework is joined at the center using a traditional Keni Madala, a distinctive roof construction technique commonly found in ambalamas.

At the entrance stand two prominently carved stone blocks bearing inscriptions in both Sinhala and Tamil. These inscriptions record that the Ambalama was built by A. V. S. V. Sevuhansetti. The year 1921 is prominently carved at the top of one of the stone slabs, identifying the year of construction. Sevuhansetti was likely a prominent businessman in the region during that period.

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Travel Directions to Pussella Ambalama in Ridigama

Route from Kurunegala Town to Pussella Ambalama in Ridigama

Through : Kandy Road
Distance: 20 km
Travel time : 35 minutes
Time to Spent : 10 mins
Driving directions: see in Google Maps.

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Pussella Ambalama in Ridigama (රිදීගම පුස්සැල්ල අම්බලම)
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