Hanwella Fort
From very early times to later periods when foreign powers such as the
Portuguese, Dutch and British arrived in Sri Lanka, Hanwella was one of the
main travel routes used for crossing the river to precede to Kandy. The old
ford (Thotupola) used to cross the river may be the one still used which
is next to the Rest House at Hanwella.
In 1521 when King Mayadunne (1521 – 1581 A. D.) started the Sitawaka
Kingdom at Avissawella he fortified Hanwella to guard against the Kotte Kingdom
and the Portuguese Invaders who were occupying the Fort of Colombo.
At the end of the Sitawaka Kingdom in 1594 A. D., the Portuguese captured
Sitawaka and started a Fortress at Hanwella in 1597 A.D., using the European
architecture for a Fortress.
The Dutch who landed in Sri Lanka in 1602 A. D captured Hanwella Fortress
from the Portuguese and they constructed a larger and more beautiful fortress
using “Kabok” (latte rite) and completed the Fortress in 1684
A.D.
After 1786 Hanwella Fortress came under the British rule and several battles
with the Armies of the Kings of Kandy took place around the Hanwella Fortress.
In the reports of Percival in 1800 it is mentioned that a Rest House had
been constructed in the Hanwella Fortress.
On 17th December 1875 King Edward the VII, Prince of Wales, has planted
a Jack Tree (Artocarpus Hetaropilus) which is still growing at the Rest House
premises. There are two stone seats around the Jack Tree, used by the Royalty
who attended the ceremony of planting the Jack Tree. This Jack Tree is growing
even today.
Hanwella has been used from early Anuradhapura period as a Ford for crossing
Kelani River and later a Fort has been constructed at the site for the security
of the ford.
After the death of King Vijayabahu VI (1518 – 1521 A. D.) the Kotte
Kingdom was divided into three Kingdoms and King Mayadunne, the Youngest
of the royal family started the Kingdom at Sitawa in 1521 and ruled till
1594 A. D. He started a Fortress at Hanwella.
Later after the end of the Sitawaka Kingdom in 1594 A. D., the Portuguese
took control of the Hanwella Fort and later the Dutch took control from them
and constructed a larger Fort according to a plan. The British captured it
from the Dutch.
The remains of the Fort could be seen at the Rest House site, with a large
Jack Tree (Artocarpus Hetaropilus) planted by King Edward VII, to commemorate
his visit to Ceylon in December 1875 and two seats constructed for the Royal
Family are to be seen near the Jack Tree.
These ruins of the Fort could be seen today in the Rest House premises.
Source :
http://seethawaka.ps.gov.lk/tourism.html
Created : January 26, 2010
Updated :
January 26, 2010
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