Konakalagala Ambalama

It is said that the Konakalagala ambalama (resting place) had been built over 200 years ago during the reign of king Vimala Dharma Suriya Il (1687-1707) of the Kandyan kingdom. In those days, the road from Kandy to Trincomalee had been through Konakalagala. This was the first resting place of travellers who proceeded from Kandy to Trincomalee.

It is stated that initially, there had been a small structure with four wooden pillars that supported a four-sided roof thatched with straw (piduru). Later another 12 more wooden pillars were added in order to enlarge the building. Now there are a total of 16 wooden pillars. All these pillars are elaborately carved, indicating the intricacy of Kandyan craftsmanship. The straw-thatched roof had been replaced with flat tiles, and the Clay rendered floor replaced with cement. Today this ambalama is used by the villagers as well as travellers as a resting and gathering place.

Location: This ambalama is situated at Konakalagala small village, about 10km north of Kandy.

(Heritage Buildings of Sri Lanka by Nimal de Silva and D. P. Chandrasekara 2009 P.167)

Unique Sri Lanka

Konakalagala Ambalama

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