Mahagama Wewa Archives

Tissamaharama cradle of Ruhuna’s ancient civilisation-by Mahil Wijesinghe Source:Sundayobserver After passing through Lunugamvehera and the thick residential area, the Wiravila tank is seen on the road to Tissamaharama. The Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport has given the area a modern face-lift. The Wirawila tank nestles amid the mountainous profiles of the sacred peaks of Kataragama. On either side of the highway, stretch large tracts of paddy fields watered by the Lunugamvehera tank. The next destination of great historical and cultural heritage is Tissamaharama – the cradle of Ruhunu Rata civilisation in the deep South where kings ruled. This ancient kingdom of Magama was founded by King Mahanaga of the 3rd century BC after the famous or infamous mango fruit episode, as related in the chronical of Mahavamsa when he fled Raja Rata with his retinue and consort to Ruhunu Rata and founded this epic kingdom of Mahagama. ...

Ancient heritage at Mahagama Wewa – TEXT & PIX BY MAHIL WIJESINGHE Source:Sundayobserver The cries of birds filled the morning air as we followed a narrow tarred road through a banana cultivation. On hearing our approach, a hawk eagle atop a tree flew into the thick vegetation and a small animal which we couldn’t identify slithered across the road and in to the bush. We were in Mahagama, a farming hamlet in Suriyawewa that lies in the boundary of two districts, Hambantota and Moneragala. The ancient Mahagama Wewa was situated here, against the backdrop of the lush greenery of the banana cultivation. Villagers now call it Mahagama Wewa because it lies in the village of Mahagama in Suriyawewa. In the past, it had been known as UrusitaWewa. ...