{"id":103731,"date":"2022-11-10T11:18:17","date_gmt":"2022-11-10T11:18:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=103731"},"modified":"2022-11-10T11:18:50","modified_gmt":"2022-11-10T11:18:50","slug":"saradiel-village-authentic-legend-of-robin-hood-of-ceylon-by-arundathie-abeysinghe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/saradiel-village-authentic-legend-of-robin-hood-of-ceylon-by-arundathie-abeysinghe\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cSaradiel Village\u201d – authentic legend of \u2018Robin Hood of Ceylon\u2019 By Arundathie Abeysinghe"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cSaradiel Village\u201d – authentic legend of \u2018Robin Hood of Ceylon\u2019 – <\/strong>By Arundathie Abeysinghe<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Saradiel<\/p>\n

\"ArundathieSituated approximately one kilometer from Uthuwankanda junction in Mawanella, two kilometers from the Colombo \u2013 Kandy Road, near *Uthuwankanda Rock, Saradiel Village is a theme park depicting the life of Saradiel (Dekirikewage Saradiel also known as \u201cUthuwankande Soora Saradiel\u201d by locals), a bandit who later became a gang leader.<\/span><\/p>\n

Visiting Saradiel Village gives the visitor an understanding of Saradiel\u2019s authentic story as well as the life of 18th century Ceylon. Declared open in 2012, approximately six acres has been utilized to create this 18th century traditional village. Although, constructed with cement, skillfully-built statues give visitors an impression as if they are alive. The artificially-built theme park similar to a hamlet offers glimpses and noteworthy moments in the life of Saradiel. Local as well as foreign tourists, mostly school children visit the theme park daily to see the legends brought to life.<\/span><\/p>\n

During opening times, the theme park is brimming with activity. Upon entry to Saradiel Village, a visitor is greeted by the *Arachchi<\/em> (headman). Until his arrival, tourists who visit the theme park can relax in the *Ambalama<\/em> (wayside-inn).<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bazaar in Saradiel\u2019s Village is a busy location. There are sculptures depicting a typical day at Hendrick Appuhamy\u2019s Kopi Kade<\/em> (meaning Coffee Shop). There is Pichohamy (Saradiel\u2019s mother) serving coffee while a Malay Police Officer enjoys a helapa<\/em> (a traditional Sri Lankan sweet treat wrapped in a kenda<\/em> leaf – Macaranga peltate<\/em>). In front of the shop, there is a gypsy snake charmer entertaining the passers-by with his acrobatic monkey. Adjacent to the coffee shop, there is a tavern. In the past, village men visited a tavern for a pint of toddy (an alcoholic beverage made from the sap of diverse species of palm tree).<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a traditional Sri Lankan Clay House in the theme park depicting the way of life that existed in the 18th century. The Clay House consisted of different sections known as Diyapila<\/em>, Watapila<\/em> and Kottapila<\/em>. In the past, males of a family would sleep in the Kottapila<\/em> to guard the house from outsiders. There is a big clay cauldron on the Diyapila<\/em> that was utilized to quench the thirst of visitors.\u00a0 On the clay wall, there is a built-in shelf to place the trunk pettiya<\/em> (box) in which valuable belongings were kept. Outside the house, there is a Vee Bissa<\/em> (Paddy Repository), a feature that exists in village houses, to date. There are several other traditional village houses such as the astrologer\u2019s house, carpenter\u2019s atelier, workshops of the goldsmith and potter in the village. There is also a Dandu Kadaya<\/em> (a torture device that was utilized as a method of punishment that was inflicted on condemned men in the past).<\/span><\/p>\n

During the second half of the tour, visitors can listen to the tale of Saradiel\u2019s childhood and rebellion days. Thereafter, the Arachchi <\/em>would stop at the ferry, near \u201cTikiri Menike\u2019s kitchen\u201d (the kitchen of a village female displaying a typical village kitchen and its daily routine) and laundry man\u2019s house to describe the lifestyle of a typical 18th century village that includes trading activities, in the past.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of the tour, visitors can travel towards the spectacular gushing cascade \u201cBo Waterfall\u201d that has a mesmerizing rock pool. Some tourists visit Uthuwankanda Rock after visiting the theme park.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sculptures perfectly reflect the ethnic harmony and diversity which existed during the *Kandyan era.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Saradiel<\/p>\n

Image courtesy \u2013 travelwithuma.com<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n