Udawadiya Village – steeped in legend and history - By Arundathie Abeysinghe

Udawadiya Village – steeped in legend and history – By Arundathie Abeysinghe

Steeped in history and legend and located in the salubrious climes of *Ella in *Badulla District, spectacular hamlet, Udawadiya is the location of well-known battles against the Portuguese during the Colonial Era. Blessed with natural resources including clean fresh water from Menik Ganga (Ganga meaning river in Sinhala), currently, there are 142 families inhabiting this isolated village.

Although, considered as a remote village, the hamlet is breathtaking surrounded by spectacular mist engulfed mountains, gushing cascades, endemic fauna and flora, cool climates and terraced paddy fields…

The main occupation of the villagers is farming. The terraced paddy fields surrounded by breathtaking mountains is a sight to behold. Residents of the hamlet utilize ox-drawn carts (known as thawalama in Sinhala) as their sole mode of transport as there are no roads that could facilitate vehicular traffic. Hence, to date, the village is situated off the beaten path.

According to scholars, warriors of *Randeniwala Battle have settled at the village after the battle and inter family marriages take place, to date. Hence, all families living in the hamlet share a common surname – “Ranbanda Devalage”, indication that they are relatives and hail from one or few of the families who originally inhabited the village.

According to villagers, the hamlet is situated at the boarder of two districts of *Uva Province. As the hamlet is geographically located in an isolated gap between mountains on the southern slopes of the central hills of Sri Lanka with an elevation of 894 meters, it is similar to *Meemure. Udawadiya is situated adjacent to Kosgolla and Stripuregama.

Directions: From Passara, it is necessary to travel up to Namunukula and travel along Devathura Miyanakadura road approximately three kilometers up to a junction. There is a board with directions to Tennakumbura School. From this location, it is necessary to walk approximately 1.5 kilometers as the road is not motorable, instead the road is similar to a footpath and leads to Udawadiya.

As Udawadiya is a spectacular and pristine hamlet, it is essential to keep the terrain immaculate.

Take only photos… Leave only footprints…

Ø Badulla – Situated in lower central hills, Badulla is the capital city of *Uva Province and Badulla District.

Ø Ella – Situated at an elevation of 1041 meters above sea level amid lush green forests, rolling carpets of tea and breathtaking mountains, Ella is a small town in the *Badulla District of *Uva Province. Popular among local and foreign tourists, Ella has a mild climate and a laid-back atmosphere.

Ø Uva Province – This is the fourth largest province in Sri Lanka bordered by Central, Eastern and Southern provinces.

Obelisk – Battle of Randeniwela By Arundathie Abeysinghe – Oct 28, 2021

https://www.elanka.com.au/obelisk-battle-of-randeniwela-by-arundathie-abeysinghe/

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https://www.elanka.com.au/meemure-paradise-hamlet-in-central-highlands-by-arundathie-abeysinghe/

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