(19 votes, average: 4.21 out of 5)
Loading...
The Kotte Kingdom, one of Sri Lanka’s last great pre-colonial strongholds, was not only fortified with moats and ramparts but also hidden beneath the surface—literally. A complex system of secret tunnels once snaked through this fortified capital, serving as escape routes, ambush corridors, and even underground sanctuaries. Though the kingdom fell centuries ago, traces of these tunnels remain, with excavations and historical records shedding light on their remarkable construction and use.
A Network of Escape and Ambush
According to historical texts and archaeological surveys, three primary secret tunnels were said to exist in the Kotte Kingdom. Today, only one has been physically identified near Ananda Sastralaya School in Kotte. Archaeological theories suggest that this tunnel may have extended all the way to the Colombo Fort Harbour, serving as a covert passage for escape or attack. Built with kabook (laterite) stone, the tunnel shows remains of a lion-headed gateway—an indication of royal craftsmanship—although the site is now overgrown and poorly maintained.
Some legends suggest that this tunnel allowed Sinhala troops to sneak into Portuguese-controlled Colombo Fort, launching surprise assaults. Other tales credit Princess Suriya Devi, daughter of King Mayadunne (1521-1581) of Sitawaka and wife of Prince Veediya Bandara, with commissioning the tunnel to free her husband from Portuguese captivity. Fragments of similar tunnel structures have even been discovered in Bristol Street in Colombo, hinting at a vast and possibly interconnected underground system.
A Hidden Temple Beneath the Earth
Excavations at Ananda Sastralaya in 2014 revealed another architectural marvel: a subterranean chamber carved from kabook rock containing a stupa with an 11-foot circumference. Uniquely, the entire chamber, measuring 18 by 35 feet, was carved top-down. Twelve stone-cut steps lead to the chamber floor, and a moonstone rests at the bottom—emphasizing the meticulous planning of this underground construction.
Literary Foundations and Strategic Design
Historical texts like the Nikaya Sangrahaya and Saddharmaratnakaraya mention that Nissanka Alakeshvara designed the Kotte fortress based on the legendary city of Mithila as described in the Ummagga Jataka. The two-tunnel system—one narrow and one large—appears to have been inspired by Mithila’s defence mechanisms. Diogo de Couto, a Portuguese chronicler, described the small tunnel as narrow enough for single-file movement, while the larger one could accommodate mounted riders.
Excavations in 1974 exposed the broader tunnel, and school children reportedly explored it up to 30 feet before it was sealed for safety. The junction of these tunnels lies approximately 100 meters from the Gal Ambalama, a historic rest stop that may have concealed air inlets or sub-tunnels.
Tactical Use During Siege
Diogo de Couto records a Portuguese siege during King Rajasinha’s reign when starving soldiers used the tunnel to escape and search for food. They stumbled upon hidden enemy troops and alerted their garrison. A counterattack was launched through a narrow, muddy ditch, striking the enemy from the rear—highlighting the tunnel’s continued tactical relevance even in the 16th century.
Structure and Airflow Design
From geographical layouts, it is believed the larger tunnel began near the Jatika Sevaka Sangamaya building, with an air inlet between that location and Sirikota. The smaller tunnel likely originated near a lost devala (temple) and had a separate air inlet. The tunnel junction was carved directly into the kabook rock mound, though vegetation and modern development have obscured many features.
In the Kotte Raja Maha Vihara premises, a large block of carved kabook stone near Circular Road may indicate the tunnel’s endpoint. The Gal Ambalama itself, now slightly relocated, once hid a three-way tunnel system revealed during excavations in 1976.
Ongoing Excavations and Restoration
A new excavation project initiated by the Kotte Municipal Council aims to rediscover and preserve this ancient heritage. The first phase involves determining the original floor levels of the tunnel site and clearing the accumulated sediment. Later phases will uncover tunnel branches and analyze structural integrity. The effort is crucial, given the loss of many Kotte-era remains during rapid urbanization in the last century.
The Inner-City Tunnel
Apart from the outer fortress tunnels, there was also an inner-city tunnel constructed during King Parakramabahu VI’s reign. This tunnel had a distinct function: to provide an emergency exit from the palace complex. Its exit, discovered in 1964 at Jayawardhanapura Maha Vidyalaya, led to Diyawanna Lake. Though its entrance may have been about 200 meters from the current Kotte Museum, it is believed the tunnel was complete with an air shaft hidden beneath a small stupa on Mission Road, now lost to urban development.
A Military Marvel Lost in Time
The tunnel system of Kotte is a testament to the kingdom’s advanced military engineering. For nearly 190 years, the capital withstood sieges and invasions, its tunnels offering crucial escape routes and tactical advantage. Even Mahinda V, the last king of Anuradhapura, is said to have fled through a tunnel, highlighting the long tradition of subterranean strategy in Sri Lanka’s royal defenses.
References
Also See
Map of Tunnel of Kotte
The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites
Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.
Travel Directions to Tunnel of Kotte
It is situated within the premises of the Ananda Sasthralaya school, just beyond the Pita Kotte junction, towards the church of St. Thomas. You can visit the place even off school hours with the permission of the caretaker.
| Route from Colombo to Secret Tunnel of Kotte Kingdom |
| Through : Rajagiriya Distance : 12 km Travel time : 30 minutes Driving directions : see on Google Maps |