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Wellawaya: A virgin wrapped in history
By Mallika Wanigasundera
It hardly occurs to you that Wellawaya, a dull little town you pass on your way to more interesting places, is girdled with the most historic, archaeological, naturally beautiful, religious spots which are inspiring, enchanting and wholly occupying.

These destinations would keep you occupied for at least a whole week. The most awe-inspiring are the colossal Buddha statues and other figures of the Buddhist pantheon, such as the massive Maligawila Buddha statue, recently resurrected after its broken pieces were forged together. Just as remarkable are the colossal stone carvings at Buduruwagala. These are all archeological sites. And there is much, much more to see.

Your wanderings could take you to at least sixteen places of interest. This is Uva rich in natural resources and beauty -- water bodies and waterfalls, parklands, forests and valleys, undulating terrain, birds and animals, the lovely Ella gap and the national parks.

The ruins of ancient temple complexes and their chaityas spread around in several acres where modern temples have sprung up. If you are more adventurous, you could wander further on to Kataragama, Arugam Bay and Pottuvil.

Right round Wellawaya you get spots of historical significance such as Yudagannawa. This is the place where the two brothers, Dutugemunu and Tissa, fought for the crown and Tissa lost. He escaped to Dematamal vihare where the monk hid him. The legend goes that when Dutugemunu inquired of the bhikkhu where his brother was, the bhikkhu told him that he was not on the bed. He was in fact under the bed, says the legend. There are new temples in these spots.

It would naturally have occurred to you as to where you could stay over. One quite comfortable place in the most tranquil surroundings is a guesthouse approved by the Tourist Board under its recent Walauwa scheme. Don't let its Portuguese name Don Diogu Villa put you off. It goes back a hundred years and was known as Dimbulamure Walauwa in those days.

Its ambiance is altogether indigenous in its hospitality, layout of house (with modern bathrooms, of course) the food it serves and the personal concern of its charming hosts Mervyn and Doris Wijesinghe. Set in a parkland about one and a half miles from Wellawaya on the Ella-Wellawaya road, you drive through a narrow driveway and if you are sharp enough, you will see deer scampering away and a peacock or two pecking into the earth.

Right behind the bungalow is the Kirindi Oya for a dip and right round the tranquility yearned for by the dust and noise eaters of Colombo. If you are a bird lover there birds galore -- kingfishers, orange minarets, black-capped bulbuls, malkohas, quail, bee eaters, weaver birds and dozens more.

Mervyn Wijesinghe, proud of his ancestry, tells of his grandfather Don Diogu Samarakoon Wijesinghe who was the Korale mahatmaya here a hundred years ago and built this house. How they were involved in the Uva rebellion and how his father took two days to go by cart to Haputale and then onto Kandy.

The visitor would no doubt be interested in the magul maha vihare where it is said that king Kavantissa wedded that well known mermaid out of the sea -- Vihare Maha Devi.

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