Gallindawatta Ambalama, Ambagaspitiya

The Gallindawatta Ambalama is an old wayside rest in the village of Ambagaspitiya in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka. The site can be reached by traveling along the Yakkala - Radawana road about a 3.7 km distance from the Yakkala junction.

History

Ambalamas are traditional resting places built by locals to accommodate wayfarers who were travelling to distant places. They were also used as a place for people to gather, hold meetings and serve as a public place in society. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Ambalamas were spread all over the country.

The structure

The Ambalama is situated on the verge of paddy land and has been built by erecting four granite pillars fixed on the ground. The floor is square in shape and paved with stone slabs. The roof is tiled with Sinhala Ulu and held by four granite pillars. A well built with granite blocks is found adjacent to the Ambalama.

A protected monument

The old Ambalama at Gallinda Watta land in Ambagaspitiya village in Mahara Divisional Secretary’s Division is an archaeological protected monument, declared by a government gazette notification published on 22 November 2002.