Wellawaya is steeped in 16th century Portuguese history.

The surrounding 300 acres now supporting paddy and coconut plantations were once a battle-ground to hundreds of soldiers fighting for the Kandyan King. The Portuguese Governor Dom Constantine De Saa marched to Badulla with an army of    Read more...

...Collapse

7,000, destroying centuries-old Buddhist temples and villages. The forces of the Kandyan Maha Asthana Prince (crown Prince) retaliated, forcing the Portugese to retreat and suffer death by sword. De Saa and the Portuguese army were decimated at this battleground.

Many village names stem from translations of “soldiers camp-out”, “dead bodies in paddy fields”, and serve as historic monuments in the district. Wellawaya's history dates back to the 3rd century BC.

Buduruwagala, to the south of Wellawaya, is also the location of a beautiful lake. Huge trees rise from the still water making it look as if the area was once dry land. This spot is filled with abundant bird life - cormorants, eagles and herons to name a few - as the water is vital in this dry, windswept land.

...Collapse