History of Kandy City

Historical and Archaeological background of the Upcountry Region.

A comprehensive history of the Hill Country Wet Zone is incomplete without a study of the archaeological factors. Several findings from this area makes it more important to delve into the little known aspects of our ancient heritage.

There are several places from the hill country named in the list of pre-historic sites in Sri Lanka.


Pre historic artifacts found by researchers P.E.Green and Paul in 1885 have been located in Maskeliya, Nawalapitiya, Peradeniya in the Hill Country. They reveal the life-styles of the civilization and stone implements in Nawalapitiya have been recorded by Green. There is sufficient evidence to show that these artifacts were used by man.

Mr.Paul’s 1913 Report on ancient Sri Lankan stone implements with a list of places they were found is note worthy. They are Manikulam, Galle, Dimbula, Dickoya, Bogawantalawa and Maskeliya. They show a close resemblance to the Indian Achulian tradition according to the research. Hartley says that these implements belong to the period from Paleolithic to the Neolithic period chopping tools. The implements found in Bandarawela, Kandy, Horton Plains and in Nuwara Eliya belong to the Neolithic period.

Bibile and Nilgala which are in close proximity to the Hill country too reveal pre-historic aborigine settlements. The life style of the present settlements of aborigines show similarities to the prehistoric people in certain aspects. Biological and cultural research studies in different regions show the use of different tools used by the aborigines Ganegodadeniya Mahawela caves have pre historic implements. In Nilgala bone, bark and stone implements have been discovered. In Nawalapitiya, Peradeniya and Horton Plains evidence of pre historic settlements are found on the surface. Whilst in Welimada the Anglican Chert mines have revealed a work site that had produced stone implements.

More excavations and research needs to be done in Nuwara Eliya and the higher hills. The river valleys, patanas and the plains are very likely to have been used by the aborigines especially if the weather was favourable.

Prof.Prematilake’s research reports reveal an agricultural civilization in Sri Lanka dating back to nearly 17,000 years whilst in Asia the emergence of the best agricultural civilizations had been about 13,000 years ago.

Excavations 6 mts below the surface in the Horton Plains have unearthed samples of barley and oats. They were the earliest domesticated grains found in the country. Furthermore the Hill country has had a longer period of agricultural settlements than the Anuradhapura period. Perhaps the environmental condition may have been more favourble in the Hill Country for these early human settlements.

It is interesting to note that the hill country had been a regional kingdom during the Anuradhapura period of our history. There is also evidence of pre and proto historic settlements in the outskirts of the city of Kandy – Senkadagalapura. Artifacts found in these sites belong to the 2nd and 3rd century B.C. Inscriptions at same sites refer to local rulers as Parumaka Shapathi, Gamani, Abhaya, Doolwela, Gonawatte near Gurudeniya, Hindagala and Bambaragala are some of these sites. This special aspect of the history of Kandy would undoubtedly draw the attention of local and foreign researchers.


Historical Background

Available historical records suggest that Senkadagalapura (an early name for Kandy) was established by the King Wickramabahu III during the period of his reign from 1357-1374 AD. Some scholars contend that the original name of Kandy was Katubulu Nuwara located near present Watapuluwa. The more popular historical name - Senkadagala - according to folklore, was originated from one of the several possible sources. These include naming after a brahmin with the name Senkanda who lived in a cave near by, a queen of King Wickramabahu named Senkanda,

and after a coloured stone named Senkadagala. The present name Kandy is only an anglicized version of Kanda Uda Rata (meaning the land of mountains) originated in the colonial era.

After King Wickremabahu III who founded the city, Senasammata Wickremabahu ascended the throne in the 15th century (1473-1511) making it the new capital of the Kandyan Kingdom. He was followed by his son King Jayaweera Astan (1511-1551) and later by Karalliyadde Bandara (1551-1581). His successor however, preferred to rule the hill country from Sitawaka on the western flanks of the hills. A period of turmoil for power ended with the ascent to the throne by Konappu Bandara who came to be known as Wimaladharmasuriya I.

The present name Kandy is only an anglicized version of Kanda Uda Rata (meaning the land of mountains) originated in the colonial era. After King Wickremabahu III who founded the city, Senasammata Wickremabahu ascended the throne in the 15th century (1473-1511) making it the new capital of the Kandyan Kingdom.He was followed by his son King Jayaweera Astan (1511-1551) and later by Karalliyadde Bandara (1551-1581). His successor however, preferred to rule the hill country from Sitawaka on the western flanks of the hills. A period of turmoil for power ended with the ascent to the throne by Konappu Bandara who came to be known as Wimaladharmasuriya I.

Wimaladharmasuriya I having embraced Buddhism consolidated his authority further by bringing the tooth relic of the Lord Buddha to Kandy from a place called Delgamuwa. He proceeded to build a temple for the sacred relic which subsequently developed into the present Dalada Maligawa.


In between the death of Wimaladhramasuriya I in 1604 and the capture of the last King of Kandy by the British in 1815 seven successive kings ruled the Kandyan kingdom from its base at Senkadagala or its suburbs such as Meda Maha Nuwara, Kundasale and Hanguranketa. The beautiful Octagon at the Dalada Maligawa and the picturesque Kandy Lake were constructed during the time of the last King Sri WThe history of Kandy and it's townscape witnesses rapid and drastic change from the beginning of British rule particularly after the 1818 rebellion. As Sir Lowry in his Gazetteer recorded " The story of English rule in the Kandyan country during the rebellion of 1818 cannot be related without shame.. Hardly a member of the leading families remained alive.. Those whom the sword and the gun had spared, cholera and small pox and privations had slain by the hundreds.. Others became ignorant and apathetic. Any subsequent development efforts of the government for many years were only attempts begun and abandoned".ickrema Rajasinghe who was exiled to South India by the British.
However, Ananda Kumaraswamy - the great savant of eastern culture writing in 1912 after nearly hundred years of British occupation had this to say. "Hardy mountaineers of the interior, preserved their independence enabling us to form an estimate of Sinhalese as a live and individual people, with a national character and a national art; an individuality and art which is more difficult and often impossible to trace in the low country districts long subjected to western influence".

Since its founding in the 14th Century, Kandy which remained the last stronghold of local kings had gone through many a vicissitude. Although Colombo represents the prime commercial and administrative center, Kandy continues to remain the cultural capital of Sri Lanka with a rich heritage of living monuments.

Kandy Municipal Council


The Kandy Municipal Council was established under the Municipalities Ordinance of 1865. The inaugural meeting had been held on 20th March 1866. The Town Hall and the Office Complex was installed in the present premises (Dunuwille Walawwe) in 1870.

The Government Agent of the Central Province had presided over the council until 1939 when the Mayor was elected. The first elected mayor was Sir Cuda Ratwatte. With further amendments to the ordinance in 1978 the Mayor became the Executive Head whilst the Commissioner was the Administrative head.

Presently the Council consists of 24 members. The Governing Party (U.N.P.) has 14 and the opposition 10.

The Council meets once a month to review the progress and decide on the implementation of its projects. Five standing committees of the Council namely Finance, Law, Works, Sports and Welfare Services (Pre-Schools, Library) also meet monthly to evaluate and recommend to Council relative matters for approval.