Dambulla - once a silent hamlet, now a hub of activity

by C. Abaya Tenne

(Contd. from s.o. of 3.12.2006)

Dambulla, the colossal Rock Temple situated in a hillock is famous for its caves - 5 to 6 in number and over 150 Budda statues inside the caves - seated, standing and reclining in different mudras, hewn in hard granite, cut and chiselled in preservable wood or in brick and mortar.

The other two too decided same way - to smuggle them without the knowledge of the other two like what Gampalaya and Raigamaya did. They went to the spot, only to find the tusks, missing. They suspected my father, and had informed the police of the number of vehicle in which my father travelled and that was how he was taken into custody.

The real culprits were arrested at Gampola, and he was released with an apology. It proved beyond doubt that two of the four friends were the culprits.

My father further said that Matale and Nuwara Eliya were managed by Assistant Government Agents at that time and the Government Agent stationed in Kandy was in charge of the whole Central Province - and all of them were Britishers. He further added that a planter's "Modern Type" double barrel rifle was procured by the Government Agent for this purpose - on my father's request and later returned it to his original owner.

Fast developing town

These were the efforts made by my father then thus making villagers to move about and now this area is a fast developing town. A relative of ours, the late H. B. Tenne was the M.P. for Dambulla for over eight years. In those days - Naula, Elahara, Laggala - Pallegama, Galewela all belonged to the parliamentary seat of Dambulla.

He was one of the founder members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party-but he was not able to contribute much to the development, since he was in the opposition. The writer was the Area Manager of the Petroleum Corporation - North West and Kurunegala covering this area during the Gam Udawa - Dambulla and derived immense satisfaction when the Gam Udawa celebration site was selected at Mirisgoniya Oya bank.

Then there was only one Petrol Station of which the dealership was held by the Rangiri Dambulla M.P.C.S. They continue to be the dealers upto now. Fuel requirements exceeded by two to three, bowser loads a day of each product and this demand continued for many months.

Knowing the importance of the festival stationed a supervisor until it was over. The requirements of fuel were met satisfactorily without any disruption and I am glad I was able to contribute in a small way for the development of this town-ship.

The construction of the "Kandalama Hotel" became a controversial problem and despite opposition from various sources the project of building the 162 air-conditioned roomed Hotel designed by the well-recognised architect Geoffrey Bawa was carried out successfully. However, in the midst of all opposition, this hotel has now become a "tourist paradise". It has earned and won global recognition because it is located in pristine wilderness overlooking Kandalama tank. It has become an ideal paradise for holiday makers.

On the opposite side is "Amaya Lake" earlier known as "Culture Club" with 92 air-conditioned Chalets - where culture and nature meet.

"Gimanhala Tourist Hotel", is another hotel situated at the Northern Edge of the Dambulla township, with 10 air-conditioned rooms. A number of other tourist guest-houses have emerged to cater to the middle class.

Since the local produce - market has now moved into the most central place - Dambulla, the government encouraged the business entrepreneurs and constructed the building to facilitate activities of the Economic Centre. Not only the local produce, but also a sizeable proportion of the up country vegetable market has moved in here. It is a market of the producer. A market of the buyer and seller.

Colossal seated statue

The new "Rangiri Dambulla Temple" with colossal seated statue of Lord Buddha, is another impressive place of worship. This is supposed to be one of the tallest seated statues build recently on modern technology - in Dambulla. The aged and feeble and others not able to climb the historic rock cave temple could easily pay homage and respect with ease here.

In the meantime, work on the construction of the Rangiri Dambulla cricket stadium and playground commenced. Large crowds of cricket fans, spectators flocked to the stadium on the day of its ceremonial opening. The crowd was so massive, that the police could not control them. I had to travel about a mile and a half to turn the vehicle to return to Colombo.

A few years ago, the Archaeological Department was successful in excavating an ancient burial ground in closer proximity. Menikdena is another archaeological site 2-3 miles off Dambulla - Matale Road, Nalanda Gedige is not very far.

Therefore, Dambulla has become a attractive place not only for devotees and businessmen but also for tourists and sportsmen. More growth is expected in the near future.

(Concluded)