Ella - Wellawaya Archives

Obelisk – Battle of Randeniwela By Arundathie Abeysinghe A monument constructed at the ninth kilometer post on the *Ella – Wellawaya Road near the village of Randeniwela is a unique obelisk to commemorate the Battle of Randeniwela (Battle of Randeniya or Sinhalese – Portuguese War), a battle fought on August 25th 1630. The battle was fought between Portuguese forces commanded by the *Governor Constantinu De Saa de Noronha and King Senarath’s (1604 – 1635) youngest son Prince Maha Astana (pre coronation) who was later crowned as King Rajasinha II (1635 – 1687), the second ruler of Kandyan Kingdom and his brother Prince Vijayapala. The battle was fought near *Wellawaya, situated in close proximity to *Badulla. The battle had taken place when Constantino de Sá launched an invasion via Badulla. The Portuguese army, despite their superior cannon power suffered a massive defeat subsequent to a mass defection by its Lascarin (local ...

Yudaganawa – largest stupa in the south and east of Sri Lanka By Arundathie Abeysinghe Yudaganawa Stupa popularly known as Kinkini Stupa is located in proximity to Buttala about 46 kilometers on the scenic *Ella – Wellawaya Road. This large stupa has a circumference of 317 meters and dates back to the second century BC. The stupa is built halfway and there is a small stupa on it. According to *Mahawamsa (ancient chronicle of Sri Lanka), there had been a battle between *Prince Dutugemunu and his brother *Prince Saddha Tissa after the death of their father *King Kavantissa (205-161 BC who ruled the Kingdom of *Ruhuna). According to folklore, this battle had taken place in the vicinity of Yudaganawa Temple. Prince Saddha Tissa has been in hiding in this temple in fear of his brother Prince Dutugemunu. Yudganawa also known as Yuddhaganawa (in Sanskrit means “Yuddha” for war and “gana” ...