The ancient stupa at Hamina Kanda is so thickly overgrown with forest that its structure is only discernible by the way the earth mounds rise about 40 feet. There is also a cave with a ruined Buddha statue of 18 cubits mostly destroyed by treasure hunters.
St. Andrew’s Church in Haputale, consecrated on September 19, 1869, stands as this symbol of colonial-era architecture and history. Tucked amidst old graves atop a misty hill, the church serves not only as a place of worship but also as a heritage site, attracting both local and international visitors.
Though unassuming at first glance, this monument marks a pivotal moment in Sri Lanka’s colonial history—the killing of Sylvester Douglas Wilson, Assistant Resident of the Government in Badulla. Wilson’s killing by Butawe Raterala ignited the brutal British suppression of the Uva-Wellassa Rebellion of 1817–1818.
Little Adam’s Peak, also called Mini Adam’s Peak, is a well-loved hiking spot in Ella, Sri Lanka, celebrated for its stunning panoramic views and its easy-to-follow trail. Rising to 1,141 meters above sea level, the hike is gentle enough to be enjoyed by people of all fitness levels.
According to folklore, Uva Paranagama Ambagasdowa Thotupala Arawa Ambalama was constructed during the Kandyan Kingdom era to provide rest for travellers on the Kandy-Mahiyanganaya road. Near a beautiful paddy field, this ambalama stands on a raised platform made of stones. Four stone pillars are erected on this platform to support the roof.
Potawa Ambalama is a small Ambalama on the Mahiyanganaya – Bibila road in Ridimaliyadda. It lies in the middle of a paddy field at the 15 km post of the B057 (Bibile – Uraniya – Mahiyangana) road. It is built with brick and mortar and six brick pillars hold the roof. The roof is tiled with Calicut clay tiles.
This cenotaph war memorial to commemorate war heroes in the 1st World War is situated in a military camp at the Army Volunteer Forces Training School in Diyatalawa. This memorial has been constructed to commemorate 78 military personnel of the Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps who died in the 1st World War.
The War Memorial for the veterans from the Uva region who had laid down their lives between 1914 and 1917 in the 1st World War at Badulla stands inside the property of historic St. Marks Church which was built as a memorial for Major Thomas William Rogers (the Government Agent for Badulla District) considered one of the most prolific hunters of Sri Lankan elephants.
In 1913, just before World War I, the South African Government built this obelisk memorial on the Diyatalawa grounds to commemorate the 140 Boer prisoners who died at the prisoner-of-war of Diyathalawa. On three sides of it, marble slabs with leaded lettering display a full list of all these Boer prisoners-of-war who lost their lives in captivity or on parole.
The 15m Ranugalla Dunhinda Ella Fall is situated on a downward slope off the highway from Passara to Buttala, near Ranugalla. The nearest town is Passara.
Having the twin (left and right) waterfalls, Ranpuhulan Ella Fall is located at the base of the Dambegahawela Mountain Range. “Ran Puhulan” means “Golden Melon”. According to village beliefs, a flight of stone steps in a tunnel leading to its bottomless depths. Also, a golden melon is said to be seen floating, which gives rise to its name.
Bambarapana Medipokuna Bandara Kandura Ambalama Ambalama is a small ancient wayside rest made of stone pillars and blocks of stone hidden away from popular road network in Badulla district on the way to the mysterious Halaba Bridge across Uma Oya.
Robert Brownrigg, the Governor during the Uva Wellassa Rebellion sent Major Douglas Wilson was dispatched with a sizable cavalry force. This fort at Keppetipola was built to accommodate this cavalry force of Major Wilson.
The ancient Wattekele Ambalama is located at Wattekele at Egodawela in Thennayaya village in the Grama Niladhari Division of Wattekele in Soranatota Divisional Secretary’s Division in Badulla District, Uva Province.
Mahiyanganaya is 25 kilometres away from the Ambalama, while Bibile town is 15 kilometers away. From Mahiyanganaya, use the Badulla route for 13 kilometres before turning into the Bibile road. To get to the little intersection and the turnoff towards Ridimaliyadda Rajamaha Viharaya, continue on this route for another 12 kilometres. Just at this intersection, the Ambalama is located in some tree shade.
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.
Passara Dehikindayaya Ambalama is in the middle of a beautiful paddy field in Sapuroda GS division of Passara Divisional Secretariat. According to legend, this ambalama dates back to the reign of the King Watta Gamini Abaya (89-77 BCE) better knowns as king Walagamba. The Ambalama which exists today is a building made of cement and roofed with calicut clay tiles.
Pallewela Ella (Alikoti Ella) is a tall, multi-tiered waterfall hidden in the jungles of Karandagolla along the Ella–Wellawaya road. Flowing in five gorgeous cascades, it has gained popularity through nearby hotels, offering scenic views and abseiling experiences, with access via a narrow forest road.
Maduru Oya National Park is located 314km away from Colombo in the Dry zone and is well known for its elephant habitat.
This is the tomb of Wananku Tissahami, the legendry Vedda who rattled the British by killing multiple government officials but became a friend of doctor R.L. Spittel so much that he wrote the widely popular novel “Savage Sanctuary” based on Tissahami’s life.
