OUR VISION
“SUSTAINBLE DEVELPOMENT THROUGH EFFICIENT SERVICE”
OUR MISSION
“TO BE THE INTEGRAL GOVERNMENT INSTITUTION IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EFFECTIVE MAMAGEMENT OF HUMAN AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES IN ORDER TO FULFIL PUBLIC ASPIRATIONS IN THE DIVISION”
Analysis in nutshell
Introduction and Historical Background
Dambulla Divisional Secretariat division is the largest administrative unit situated in the north in the district of Matale which depicts the central of Sri Lanka. Dambulla Divisional Secretariat consist of 456.3 square Kilometres and is one of prominent divisional secretariats in Sri Lanka in view of it being the home to world heritage Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple and situation of Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre, one of prime units of agriculture produce exchange in Sri Lanka.
There are considerable number of views on how the word Dambulla came into existence.Damba is a synonym to stone in Sinhala and Ulla means fountain in Sinhala. Accordingly most famous view is that of word Damba-ulla came into existence meaning fountain emanating from stone, later it became Dambulla by usage.
When considering historical background of Dambulla, there is evidence to suggest that it had been habitat of Yakka tribes in pre-historic age. This view is corroborated with the finding of archaic corpse and clay bowl with gold plated iron bar at Ibbankatuwa area at Dambulugala which are considered to be some 3000 years old. Similar clay bowls have been discovered from several other parts of Sri Lanka and archaeologists of the view that these are tombs of tribal leaders. According to stone inscription found at Embulambe area there was human settlement in 1B.C. and the area was ruled by a person holding the title “Raja” (King).
Dambulla has been referred to as “Jambu Kola” in Mahavamsa.However the first ever evidence in this regard found in Vijayabhahu reign in Polonnaru era. In an inscription of King Keerthi Shri Nissanka Malla in Dambulla, Dambulu cave has been referred to as “Swarnagiri Guhalena”.According to folklore it had been built by Watta Gamini Abhaya alias King Walagamba who ruled in the first century B.C.According to Poojawaliya King had built this cave temple at the time he was hiding after being defeated by Dravidian invaders.
When Prince Pandukabhaya established Anuradhapura kingdom, Girikandashiva, one of his brothers, was given rule of Mathula province and Dambulla area was belonged to this province. Dambulla area was gradually inhabited by Aryans and present ruins explicitly demonstrate that there was high standard of living in this area owing to the fact that the area was approximate to Anuradhapura.
After the introduction of Buddhism, people inclined towards life styles that suited Buddhism wherefore they built attractive in-house statues and temples at many rock caves and paid homage thereof. This prosperity is evident even today at caves such as Enderagala, Pidurangala, Sigiriya.Moreover, there are a lot of stone inscriptions have been spread throughout the area and several stone inscriptions with Brahmi letters have been discovered around Dambulla, Sigiriya and Pidurangala areas believed to belonged to second century B.C.Inaddition, there several cave letters around Ethabendiwewa,Dambulla,Digampathaha,Sigiriya,Pidurangala areas.Moreover,antiquities at the place known as Manikdena gives pride to the area.
Prince Kashyapa 1 who ascended to throne by killing his father comprehended the risk of keeping Anuradhapura as his kingdom thereby he chose Sigiriya as his capital and his reign 479 A.D to 497 A.D.considered as a golden era of Dambulla as well as in the history of Matale. Honor of placing Sigiriya which thereto was a temple, as a capital goes to King Kashyapa 1.He constructed a majestic fortress in that capital in order to safeguard his life and added artistic and literature value by creating Sigiri frescos and scribed verses which preserved even today. Moreover, water retaining structure associated with Sigiri construction is a challenge for modern engineering technology.
Dambulla was belonged to Rajarata Kingdom during the reign of King Gajaba the Second. Undercover conspiracy by Prince Parakramabhahu on the military strength of King Gajaba with one his commanders took place at Manikdena. Later, King Parakramabahu was able to unify the country by defeating King Gajaba. Homeland of Keerthi Nagarasiri, one of two commanders who led the battle to subject Ramagngna Land during the reign of King Parakramabahu, was Dewanagala Nuwaragala area close to Eraula. Edifice inscription has been discovered from this area constructed by King Parakramabahu in appreciation of the said achievement of his. Ruins of many constructions belonged to Polonnaru era have been spread in this hillock close to Eraula. This story has been mentioned in the Chulawansa too.
History has its say that one battalion which took centre stage in anti-Chola battle of King Vijayabahu the First, crossed Manikdena and this place was used as a temporary lodging place for them. Keerthi Nissanka Kumara who ascended to throne after King Vijayabahu the Second, placed golden plates at the Dambulu Cave Temple and placed his statue there. It is said that Dambulu Temple has been referred as the Rangiri Dambulu Temple thereon.
There is no written record of Dambulla area from this period up to the reign of Rajasingha the Second of Kandy era and it is believed that regional kings may have had ruled this area during that period.
During colonial administration, Dambulla had been a habitation in the form of a main junction. Road connecting Trincomalee habour and Kandy had been via Dambulla being one of main reasons for that state of affairs. Dambulla area provided the leadership for the second rebellion against British in 1848. Gongale Godabanda, who took initiative to this rebellion, was conferred coronation on 20.07.1848 at the Dambulu Temple.
Afterwards he and Weera Puran Appu led the rebellion but in vain and the British sentenced the leaders. All battalions in this rebellion were organized in Dambulla.
On observation on the road network history of Dambulla area, Dambulla - Matale road was constructed in 1831 and tarred around 1905. Main road connecting Kurunegala and Trincomalee via Dambulla was constructed in 1830.
Dambulla Divisional Secretariat consists of many attractive and historically important areas which attract tourists. Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a world heritage as well as 08th wonder of the world, one of major attractions among them apart from that Dambulla has been frequented by both local and foreign tourists every time in year alike in view of situation of many areas, tanks and ponds with religious and historical importance.
- Situation
Dambulla Divisional Secretariat is bounded by the following Divisional Secretariats on the North by Palagala and Kekirawa, on the East by Hingurakgoda and Elahera, on the South by Naula, on the West by Galewela and the Division Secretariat is situated on Ambepussa – Trincomalee A 006 road 15 Kilometres towards Kurunegala from Dambulla town.
- Access
Dambulla Divisional Secretariat is situated 150 KM from Colombo and 1.5KM inside Dambulla town and 48Km from Matale along A 009 road.
- Situation according to latitude and longitude
Lies between North Latitude 7 44’ and 8 2’
And between East Longitude 80 35’ and 80 52’.
- Average temperature
Temperature is between 25 – 26 Celsius.
Between 80 – 82 Fahrenheit.
Situation of Divisional Secretariat in Sri Lanka
Historical development of the Institution
Divisional Administration
Road to Parliament from Dambulla State Council
Dambulla which was part of Matale Seat in State Council in 1937 was conferred the status of Dambulla Seat in Parliament in 1947.Since then Dambulla has been part of the said Seat in Parliament and this Seat represents 03 Divisional Secretariats.
Then and Now
British Rule
Although this area is in the north end of Matale district, Dambulla was part of Kandyan Kingdom during the period under the British rule. In 1815 Dambulla was subject to the British rule and administered by Kandy Kachchery.
Under Assistant Government Agent of Kandy
When Matale was separated as an Assistant Government Agent’s division administrated by Kandy Kachchery in 1819, Dambulla too was added to Matale. Dambulla was administered under Government Agent of Kandy, Assistant Government Agent of Matale until 1955.
Divisional Revenue Officer – Matale
When separate district was created, Matale was divided into 03 Divisional Revenue Officer divisions and Dambulla was part of Matale north division.
Divisional Revenue Officer of Dambulla
Number of divisions were increased to 10 in 1963 and separate division was created for Dambulla.
Administration of Divisional Assistant Government Agent
Name of this division was changed as division of Divisional Assistant Government Agent.
Establishment of Divisional Secretariats
Decentralization of administration has been introduced as the administration by people. This meant people are given opportunity to accomplish their routine needs from more local body by furthering the decentralization process from central government to provincial councils rather than approaching district, provincial or national level. In other words, divisional secretariats handle many subjects and activities concerned with daily life of people which are conferred on provincial councils by 13 Amendment to the Constitution, function thereto performed by Government Agent and some definite subjects and functions introduced by line ministry depicted in annexure I of the Circular No.21/92.
Abolition of Village headman system
Grama Niladhari system began on 01/05/1963 with the abolition of thereto in force village headman system and in 1989 Dambulla became a Divisional Secretariat with 59 Grama Niladhari divisions.
Dambulla Divisional Secretariat area at present belonged to Dambulla Pradeshiya Sabha limits. Development activities being progressed under its directive.
Former Divisional Secretaries
Assistant Government Agents Duration
Mr Wilson Edirisinghe 1968
Mr P.G.M.Gunathilake 1972-1976
Assistant Government Agents
Former Government Agents Duration
Mr S.M.A.L.Gunathialke 01/01/1976 to March 1978
U.G.Dissanayake 1978-January 1978
Mr Wimalasena January 1981 – May 1981
Mr R.A.D.Hemachandra May 1981 – January 1982
Mr P.A.G.Jayawardene 15/01/1982 – December 1990
Mr K.A.S.Keeragala 16/12/1990 – December 1992
Divisional Secretaries
Former Divisional Secretaries Duration
Mr Mr K.A.S.Keeragala December 1992 – January 1993
Mr B.G.H.M.Sugathadasa January 1993 – October 1994
Mr R.M.P.Rajapaksha September 1994 – January 1995
Mr K.W.Gamage January 1995 – February 1996
Mr Wijayarathna Sakalasooriya February 1996 – 1997
Mr Anura Dissanayake 1997 – October 1999
Mrs Pathmajina Siriwardene 1999 – December 2002
Mrs R.M.C.M.Herath December 2002 – October 2010
Mr B.A.Sumanadasa October 2010 – August 2011
Mrs Iresha Liyanagama August 2011 – November 2011
Ms H.P.P.A.Hewapathirana November 2011 to February 2020
Mr. Piyal Jayasuriya February 2020 - 2025
Mrs. N.M. Upeksha Kumari February 2025 - Present
