SARADIEL’S UTUWANKANDA COMES ALIVE IN MAWANELLA
The local Robin Hood ‘Sura Saradiel’ is to come alive in a recreation of the ‘Utuwankanda’ village in six acres in Mawanella to look like a traditional mid nineteenth century village.
Utuwankanda which was the hideout of Sura Saradiel has been restored as a destination for culture tourism by the Tourism Ministry of the Sabaragamua Provincial Council and was opened to the public on Saturday.
Sura Saradiel is known among the village folk as a daring man who fought against colonial rulers for social justice. His name is etched in the minds of people of Sri Lanka for his daring actions against colonial planters. Many films and teledramas have been produced involving his character
he village was opened for tourists after restoration based on the cultural and socio-economic background that existed during the time of Saradiel. Tea kiosks and Ambalama or a place of rest have been put up in the village with traditional characteristics. Also, seen are bullock carts similar to the ones used Saradiel’s time.
According to Provincial Council’s Infor mation Officer Sunil Leelananda Perera, Dr. Ariyasena U. Gamage has invested Rs.200 million for this
Utuwankanda which was the hideout of Sura Saradiel has been restored as a destination for culture tourism by the Tourism Ministry of the Sabaragamua Provincial Council and was opened to the public on Saturday.
project. Chief Minister Mahipala Herath and Senior Minister Athauda Seneviratne participated at the opening ceremony.
Along the Colombo - Kandy highway, after Mawanella, near the bridge over Maha Oya there lies a stone monument. This monument carries the following words etched on it
"Near this spot on March 1864, P.C. Sabhan of the Ceylon Police lost his life in an act of gallantry which was immediately responsible for the arrest by Mr. F. R. Saunders, Asst. Gover nment Agent, Kegalla, of Saradiel. Five days previously George Van Haght and Christian Appu were killed and four others wounded in an attempt to effect Saradiel’s capture".
Saradiel was a daredevil highway robber who waylaid stage coaches and plundered the money to be distributed them among the poor villagers who were in need of money. Saradiel was romantically called the Robin Hood of Sri Lanka.
Even cine films were produced of his notorious exploits and his romantic episodes with the village lasses around his village in Utuwankanda. Utuwankanda is called in Sinhalese more appropriately as Otuwankanda — meaning its profile has the shape of a camel’s hump. Around his rustic village of Utuwankanda, old folk still reminisce about his daredevil life and times as a highwayman who robbed the coaches carrying money.
Saradiel was born in 1835 to a family in Utuwankanda. His father’s name was Dikiri Kaga Adasi Appu, a carter by profession, while his mother’s name was Pichche Hami. He was the eldest of five children. Saradiel’s earliest schooling to lear n to read and write was at Etulgoda Vihara. Saradiel by nature was stubbor n and wanted to do things on his own somewhat notorious way. He often quarrelled with his master who made him to leave the place and was bent on more miscreant sprees on his own.