Yatiwawala Ambalama

Yatiwawala Ambalama

Yatiwawala Ambalama (Photo credit: Google Street View) Yatiwawala Ambalama (Sinhala: යටිවාවල අම්බලම) is an old wayside rest situated in Yatiwawala village in Kandy District, Sri Lanka. Ambalama 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 Yatiwawala is believed to be one such structure constructed in the past for the convenience of people who travelled between Kurunegala and Kandy. The structure The Yatiwawala Ambalama is a simple square-shaped structure built using brick and mortar. The four pillars at the corners hold the weight of the roof which is covered with semi-circular clay tiles ( Sinhala Ulu ). Connecting the four pillars, a short wall, prepared as seats, runs around the perimeter of the structure…