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Using a Dutch map of 1765, archaeologists are unearthing a palace that reveals the glory of the Senkadagala era

By Shane Seneviratne

A well-designed complex of bed chambers, audience halls, fortified gates, three main entry points, a moat and even toilets are being excavated right in the heart of Kandy town, depicting the glory and grandeur of the Senkadagala kingdom that ended in 1815 with the British conquering the area.

In the latest dig being carried out under the direction of well-known archaeologist Prof. P.L. Premathilake, the king’s bed chamber has been found in the area between the old High Courts complex and the District Court.

The excavations have been enabled by a map of the palace complex used by nine successive kings of the Senkadagala era being located in the Hague, Netherlands. The map had been drawn by a Dutch archaeologist way back in 1765 on the request of King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe.Excavations done based on the map have unearthed the whole foundation of the palace complex, says Prof. Premathilake who was instrumental in bringing the map to Sri Lanka. This former Director of Archaeology (he served for 20 years in this post) had worked closely with Prof. Senerat Paranavithana to open a separate department of archaeology at the University of Peradeniya.

Now 85, this publicity-shy retired professor who spends his time with his grandchildren, spoke to The Sunday Times after much persuasion by former Diyawadane Nilame Neranjan Wijeyeratne.

The Senkadagala Kingdom began in 1591, with King Wimala Dharma Suriya I bringing the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha which was hidden at the Delgamuwa Raja Maha Viharaya in Ratnapura to Senkadagala and building a separate two-storey palace to enshrine the Relic within the palace complex occupied by the king and his retinue.

Following the King’s death in 1604, all his eight successors – four of them Sinhalese and the other four Nayakkars – continued to live and rule from this palace complex, improving and developing this area.

The ruins of the palace complex extending over 15-20 acres had been like a small village providing all facilities for running of the royal household.

Security was tight – a moat, high walls and security chambers ensured that intruders would not be able to gain access. Three main gates provided entry points. One led to the palace, another to the Dalada Maligawa and the third had been located at the place where the ‘Pathirippuwa’ stands today. The main entrance had three staircases, with one exclusively for foreign visitors.

The complex also had audience halls, an area where the King practised his military skills and a Magul Maduwa used for special functions and also storerooms. Part of the palace with the roof still intact can be seen to the left of the Dalada Maligawa, opposite the Natha Devale even now. This is the only royal palace ruins in Sri Lanka which have the roof, The Sunday Times learns.

An interesting fact is that the Kandy Lake had been constructed on the orders of King Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe, who also saw to it that on the small island situated in the middle, was built the Jayathilaka Mandapaya. Although the tiny island is visible today, the Mandapaya is no more.

The palace complex is in ruins, but even so many centuries later it is testimony to the grand and glorious history of Sri Lanka’s last nine kings.