Divisional Secretariat - Ambalantota

History of Ambalantota Divisional Secretariat

Ambalantota Divisional Secretariat can be introduced as an area of ​​high natural and biological value and historical significance in Sri Lanka. Considering the location of the section which is limited to the Ambalantota Divisional Secretariat, it is bordered by five Divisional Secretariats and the coast.

It is bounded on the north by the Embilipitiya Divisional Secretariat (Ratnapura District), on the south by the coast (30 km in length), on the east by the Hambantota Divisional Secretariat and on the west by the Tangalle Divisional Secretariat. The size of the Ambalantota Divisional Secretariat is 213.4 sq. Km.(21314 hectares) This area is 8.2% of the total land area of ​​Hambantota district.Out of the total land area of ​​1547.5 hectares, the area is covered by inland reservoirs and rivers. There are no large-scale forests and small-scale shrubbery is widespread.Agriculture was and still is a major component of the economy. Mainly paddy cultivation is irrigated under major and minor irrigations and is located in the northern boundary of the Ridiyagama Wewa division which is 3000 acres in size. The Walawe river which feeds the area also flows into the sea from the Wanduruppa area here. Ussangoda is also a treeless area. The value of this area is enhanced by its scenic natural environment with its unique rock formations. In the villages of Ekkassa and Welipatanwila near the Kalametiya lagoon and in the Walawa valley there is a beautiful mangrove environment.

Historical background

Historical documents state that Magama, Kacharagama, Digamadulla, Gonagama and Maha Nagakula occupied an important place among the kingdoms that used to be the capitals of the Rohana kingdom of Sri Lanka. At that time the “Mahanagakula” kingdom was located in the present day Ambalantota division.There are various opinions regarding the origin of the name Ambalantota. One of the ideas is that there was a ferry service connecting Degambada, which was separated from the Walawe river, and there was an ambalam near its main port. Ambalantota has been used to refer to this area in the past as the ferry is located near Ambalama. Another popular belief is that Ambalantota is an acronym for Ann, Balan, Thota, which is used to refer to the port where boats are parked for trade.There are many historical temples in this area which show the progress of the kingdom of Manakula. According to the inscriptions in the Ramba Vihara, it is said that the great kings of Sirisangabo appointed a chief to protect the Tooth Relic by adorning the gem tower of the Rambara Chethi. The Girihandu Vehera near the Walawe River in Ambalantota is one of the important temples built to commemorate the Giriganda Pooja during the reign of Bhathiya.There are also safe inscriptions carved in the Andhra tradition commemorating the demise of Prince Siddhartha. From the above historical facts it is clear that the "Ancient Kingdom of Manakula" was in a very advanced state.