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Royal Palace Polonnaruwa – architectural marvel of yesteryear – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Source : wikipedia Considered as the ruins of the Royal Palace Polonnaruwa, this majestic palace constructed under the guidance of King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) during his reign is an architectural marvel of yesteryear. This has been a seven-story palace comprising 1000 chambers. Located in *Polonnaruwa, the Palace was known as “Vijayotpaya” or “Vijayanta Prasada” (meaning the Palace of *God Sakra). As there had been seven stories, the building has also been called “Sathbumupaya” (in Sinhala). The remaining huge walls are over one meter thick and rise to approximately nine meters (30 feet). A section of the stairs and the foundation walls are indications of the size of the building. According to archaeological records, the Royal Palace would have been one of the tallest occupied buildings in the world during that time and its foundation is still impressive, approximately 1,000 ...

Dec 17, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Anuradhapura Kingdom, Anuradhapura Period, Mahawamsa, Polonnaruwa Kingdom, Royal Palace Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka, YAPAHUWA

Kaludiya Pokuna: Convergence of History, Archaeology and Panorama – By Arundathie Abeysinghe image Source : researchgate Sri Lanka is bestowed with religious, historical and archaeological sites, some of which are in ruins, at present. *Mihintale, considered as the “Cradle of Buddhism” is a location where one of the most significant events in Sri Lanka’s history, the meeting between Arhat Mahinda (son of Emperor Asoka of India) and King Devanampiyatissa (306 BC – 266 BC) took place. Hence, Buddhism in Sri Lanka is inextricably linked to Mihintale. Situated off the beaten track and rarely visited by the majority of tourists, Kaludiya Pokuna (meaning Black Water Pond – “kalu” meaning black, “diya” meaning water and “pokuna” meaning pond) is a breathtaking site located at the foot of the western slopes of Mihintale. It is the largest among ponds in Mihintale. Most scholars are of the view that Kaludiya Pokuna may be the ...

Dec 8, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Anuradhapura, Black Water Pond, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Kaludiya Pokuna, Kaludiya Pokuna ancient site, Mihintale, Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Sri Lanka i, Sri Lanka’s history

Cenotaph – capture of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe – By Arundathie Abeysinghe After the fall of the *Kandyan Kingdom in 1815 to British Colonial rule, *Adigar Ehelepola, considered as one of the main conspirators who assisted British Colonials to take over the Kingdom sent a group of his people to assist the British to capture *King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha who had escaped from the Royal Palace. Yet, the team was unable to capture the King and his Queen. Several days later, the team got information that the King and his Queen Venkatha Rangammal were hiding in Bomure, a hamlet in Medamahanuwara. “Medamahanuwara” also spelt “Meda Mahanuwara” or “Meda Maha Nuwara” (“Mahanuwara” meaning “big city” in Sinhala and “Meda Mahanuwara” meaning Middle Kandy, probably, due to it being a suburb of Kandy) situated approximately 36 kilometers from Kandy in *Mahiyangana Road (A26) between Wegala (a hamlet in Central Province) and ...

Nov 30, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Cenotaph, Ehelepola Nilame, Kandyan Convention, Kandyan Kingdom, King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha, Knuckles Mountain Range, Malabar, Vellore

Vessagiriya – reminiscent gravity-defying boulder with inscriptions – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located in close proximity to *Isurumuniya, Vessagiriya also known as Vessagiri or Issarasamanarama is an ancient Buddhist Forest Monastery, a section of the ruins of *Anuradhapura. Unlike most historical sites in Anuradhapura, Vessagiriya is a less visited site by tourists. Construction of the Monastery commenced during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa (247 BC – 207 BC) in mid-3rd century BC and the site was expanded during the reign of King Kashyapa (473-495 AD). The Forest Monastery was home to approximately 500 Buddhist Monks and they had lived in rock shelters. Vessagiriya temple complex is located among three rock boulder formations across a large area overlooking the Tissa Wewa in Anuradhapura. Located amongst several mighty boulders, caves, pillars, ponds as well as shady trees, Vessagiriya is a retreat for peace-seeking pilgrims as well as nature lovers as there is a ...

Nov 23, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged . Vessagiriya temple, ancient Buddhist Forest Monastery in sri lanka, Anuradhapura, Isurumuniya, King Devanampiyatissa, The Forest Monastery, Vessagiriya

Kithulgala – iconic location of the Gem of the Silver Screen “The Bridge on the River Kwai” – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Having won seven Academy Awards, “Bridge on the River Kwai” directed by British Film Director David Lean (Sir David Lean 1908-1991) was an epic war film shot in Ceylon in 1957 aided by Chandran Rutnam (Sri Lankan film maker and entrepreneur) who collaborated local links. Adapted from the 1952 novel by Pierre Boulle (that goes by the same name) the movie was filmed in *Kithulgala, in *Ratnapura District, perched on the western edge of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. A makeshift bridge was constructed over the *Kelani River for the movie, although, nothing remains at present, except the concrete foundations of the Bridge (as the railway bridge utilized in the movie was blown-up as part of the film sequel). The movie describes the tale of a group of Japanese war ...

Nov 17, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged British Film, Kithulgala, Mahaweli River, Ratnapura District, River Kwai, Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan film maker and entrepreneur, William Holden

“Saradiel Village” – authentic legend of ‘Robin Hood of Ceylon’ – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated approximately one kilometer from Uthuwankanda junction in Mawanella, two kilometers from the Colombo – Kandy Road, near *Uthuwankanda Rock, Saradiel Village is a theme park depicting the life of Saradiel (Dekirikewage Saradiel also known as “Uthuwankande Soora Saradiel” by locals), a bandit who later became a gang leader. Visiting Saradiel Village gives the visitor an understanding of Saradiel’s authentic story as well as the life of 18th century Ceylon. Declared open in 2012, approximately six acres has been utilized to create this 18th century traditional village. Although, constructed with cement, skillfully-built statues give visitors an impression as if they are alive. The artificially-built theme park similar to a hamlet offers glimpses and noteworthy moments in the life of Saradiel. Local as well as foreign tourists, mostly school children visit the theme park daily to see ...

Nov 10, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Ambalama, Ceylon Robin Hood of Ceylon, Mawanella, Saradiel Village, Sri Lankan, Uthuwankanda, Uthuwankanda Rock, Uthuwankande Soora Saradiel

Kallady Bridge in the land of “Singing Fish” – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Prefabricated in 1924 in the United Kingdom and imported to Sri Lanka, Kallady Bridge was the longest iron bridge in Sri Lanka in the past. Kallady Bridge connects *Kallady to *Batticaloa and it is a unique bridge shrouded in history and legend. The Bridge is officially known as “Lady Manning Bridge” and was named to honor Lady Manning, the wife of the former Governor of *Ceylon William Manning. The view from the Bridge is spectacular and serene… The massive truss bridge had been prefabricated at Patent Shaft & Axletree and transported by steamship from London. During that period, it had been a challenge for engineers to set up the Bridge over the flowing waters of the Lagoon. Although, it has been constructed in 1924, it has been installed 1928. Constructed during the British Colonial Era, the Bridge served ...

Nov 2, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Batticaloa, Bridge, Ceylon, Ceylon William Manning, Kallady, Kallady Bridge, Lady Manning, London, Sri Lanka

Uthuwankanda – hideout of “Robin Hood of Sri Lanka” – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Glimpse of a rock similar to a chimney can be seen in the distance when traveling on Colombo-Kandy Road in close proximity to *Kadugannawa. Uthuwankanda standing at approximately 430 meters (1410 feet) above sea level was the hideout of Saradiel. The rock has memories of Saradiel (Dekirikewage Saradiel also known as “Uthuwankande Soora Saradiel” by locals), a bandit who later became a gang leader. Saradiel is popular among Sri Lankans as the “Robin Hood of Sri Lanka” as he used to rob from the rich and distributed the wealth thus robbed, among the poor. He was also a highway robber, yet, had been popular among the poor. Saradiel was an outlaw who rebelled against British authorities during the British Colonial Era. Although, he was arrested on several occasions, he managed to escape and Uthuwandka was his hideout. ...

Oct 27, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Bo-Ella waterfall, hikers in sri lanka, Kegalle District, Knuckles Mountain Range, Mawanella, Robin Hood of Sri Lanka, Saradiel, sri lankan rock, Uthuwankanda, Uthuwankande Soora Saradiel

Dorawaka Ethubandi Cave – venture into Neolithic Era – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated off the beaten track in Uragala in close proximity to Warakapola in *Kegalle District, Dorawakkanda Cave also known as Dorawaka Ethubandi Cave Prehistoric Site has yielded some of the most sensational archaeological findings in recent times including several *Brahmi inscriptions. Also known as “Athabandi Lena”, this cave comprises primitive rock paintings depicting animals, the sun and moon and some unidentifiable objects. According to research carried out in this location, the habitation of this cave is in the transition period from Mesolithic to Protohistoric. Prior to the excavations, the rock cave has been dated to the proto historic Mesolithic period. Considered as a major breakthrough in history and archaeology of Sri Lanka as evidence regarding the existence of civilization during the Neolithic Period in Sri Lanka was discovered, although, tosses and vestiges of man pertaining to this era ...

Oct 21, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Athabandi Lena, Brahmi inscriptions, Dedigama, Dedigama Suthigara Chaitya, Dorawaka Ethubandi Cave, Dorawaka Rock, Kegalle District, Kota Vehera, kurutu gee, Natha Devalaya, rock caves in sri lanka, Sri Lanka, Warakapola

Prison cell of King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha in Colombo Fort: fact or fiction? By Arundathie Abeysinghe The prison cell of King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha (1798-1815), the last King of the *Kandyan Kingdom as well as the last monarch of Sri Lanka located in Colombo Fort is a well-known monument. Although, the majority of people working in Colombo Fort area are not aware of it (situated in the busy metropolis in close proximity to *Dutch Hospital in Colombo Fort), it is a popular destination of tourists. Situated in Janadhipathi Mawatha in Colombo Fort (Queen’s Street) at the turn off to Bank of Ceylon Mawatha within the premises of the Ceylinco House building, this small structure is engulfed in controversy, although there are paintings of King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha and his Queen Consort. The monument is in the shape of a half capsule with the curved half facing north with a small ...

Oct 14, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Adigar Pilimatalawa, Governor Robert Brownrigg, Henry Marshall, Kandyan Kingdom, King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha, L. Brohier, Vellore