Kevulgama Ambalama is an old wayside rest in Kevulgama village near Hunnasgiriya in Kandy District, Sri Lanka.
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 Ambalama at Kevulgama is believed to have been built about 200 years ago (Abeyawardana, 2004).
The structure
The Kevulgama Ambalama is a square-shaped structure with 4 finely carved wooden pillars holding the roof. The base of the structure is made of four wooden beams raised from the ground. The roof is covered with semi-cylindrical clay tiles (Sinhala Ulu).
A protected site
The ancient Hunnasgiriya Kevulgama Ambalama situated in Kevulgama Grama Niladhari Division in Ududumbara Divisional Secretary’s Division is an archaeological protected monument, declared by a government Gazette notification published on 6 June 2008.
See also
References
1) Abeyawardana, H.A.P., 2004. Heritage of Kandurata: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Colombo: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka. pp.114-115.
2) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. No: 1553. 6 June 2008. p.525.
Location Map
This page was last updated on 17 September 2022