Portuguese era

The first Europeans to visit Sri Lanka in modern times were the Portuguese: Francisco de Almeida arrived in 1505, finding the island divided into seven warring kingdoms and unable to fend off intruders. The Portuguese founded a fort at the port city of Colombo in 1517 and gradually extended their control over the coastal areas. In 1592 the Sinhalese moved their capital to the inland city of Kandy, a location more secure against attack from invaders. Intermittent warfare continued through the 16th century.
Many lowland Sinhalese were forced to convert to Christianity while the coastal Moors were religiously persecuted and forced to retreat to the Central highlands. The Buddhist majority disliked Portuguese occupation and its influences and welcomed any power who might rescue them. In 1602, therefore, when the Dutch captain Joris van Spilbergen landed, the king of Kandy appealed to him for help.

Dutch era

It was in 1638 that the Dutch attacked in earnest but ended with an agreement (which was disrespected by both parties), and not until 1656 that Colombo fell. By 1660 the Dutch controlled the whole island except the kingdom of Kandy. The Dutch (who were Protestants) persecuted the Catholics (the left over Portuguese setlers) but left the Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims alone. However, they taxed the people far more heavily than the Portuguese had done. A mixed Dutch-Sinhalese people known as Burgher peoples are the legacy of Dutch rule.
In 1659, the British sea captain Robert Knox landed by chance on Sri Lanka and was captured by the king of Kandy. He escaped 19 years later and wrote an account of his stay. This helped to bring the island to the attention of the British.

Buduruwagala

Buduruwagala is an ancient buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The complex consists of seven statues and belongs to the Mahayana school of thought. The statues date back to 10 century AD. The gigantic Buddha statue still bears traces of its original stuccoed robe and a long streak of orange suggests it was once brightly painted. The central of the three figures to the Buddha's right is thought to be the Buddhist mythological figure-the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. To the left of this white painted figure is a female figure in the thrice-bent posture, which is thought to be his consort-Tara.

Keppetipola Disawe

Rajapaksa Wickramasekera Mudiyanselage Monarawila Keppetipola,[1] [2][3] more widely known as Keppetipola Disawe was a Disawe, a high ranking official under the rule of King Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe and later under the British Administration in Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon). He was a prominent leader of the Uva rebellion of 1818 after he joined the rebels whom he was sent to suppress by the British. The rebellion was defeated by the British, and Keppetipola Disawe along with several other leaders of the rebellion were found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death. He is well known for the exceptional courage that he showed at the moment of his execution, and is now a national hero of Sri Lanka.

The Uva Rebellion

The Uva Rebellion, also known as the 'Great Rebellion of 1817-1818' (or the 3rd Kandyan War by the British) took place in Ceylon against the British colonial government under Governor Robert Brownrigg, which had been controlling the formerly independent Udarata (Sinhalese: Up-Country), of which Uva was a province. People used to call this Independence Movement by the name of the two places where it started: the 'Wellassa Rebellion' and the 'Uva Rebellion'. It was the very first struggle for gaining Independence from the British.
It was led by Wilbawe (an alias of Duraisamy, a Nayakkar of Royal blood) and Keppetipola Disawe - a leader that the Sinhalese celebrate even today, who was sent initially by the British government to stop the uprising. The other leaders who supported this Independent Movement are; II Pilima Talauve Adikaram, Kohu Kumbure Rate Rala, Dimbulana Disave, Kivulegedara Mohottala, Madugalle Disave, Butewe Rate Rala, Galagedara Mohottala, Dambawinna Disave and Gode Gedara Adikaram. The Sinhalese were greatly affected by the administrative policies of the British and were not used to being ruled by a king who lived far away in another continent. This created unrest among the local people and the aristocratic Chiefs in the Kandyan Kingdom. Except for Molligoda and Ekneligoda, many Chiefs join the rebels. The rebels captured Matale and Kandy before Keppetipola fell ill and was captured and beheaded by the British. His skull was abnormal - as it was wider than usual - and was sent to Britain for testing. It was returned to Sri Lanka after independence, and now rests in the Kandiyan Museum. The rebellion failed due to a number of reasons. It was not very finely planned among the leaders. The areas controlled by some Chiefs who helped the British provided easy transport routes for the British to have transactions of food and other necessities. Doraisami who was said to have a claim to the sinhalese throne was found not to have any relation.
The rebellion was notable for the bloody manner of its suppression, with 'Search and Destroy' missions which presaged the Vietnam War. The inhabitants lost house, property, livestock and even the salt in their possession during the repression. The irrigation systems of the duchies of Uva and Wellassa, hitherto the rice-bowl of Sri Lanka, were systematically destroyed. Although, it was an Independence Struggle that was led by brave national heroes who wanted to see a peaceful country under one flag by even giving away their lives and contributing to save our Motherland.
In the 'Journal of Uva,' Herbert White, a British Government Agent in Badulla after the rebellion minuted: "It is a pity that there is no evidence left behind to show the exact situation in Uva in terms of population or agriculture development after the rebellion. The new rulers are unable to come up to any conclusion on the exact situation of Uva before the rebellion as there is no trace of evidence left behind to come to such conclusions. If thousands died in the battle they were all fearless and clever fighters. If one considers the remaining population of 4/5 after the battle to be children, women and the aged, the havoc caused is unlimited. In short the people have lost their lives and all other valuable belongings. It is doubtful whether Uva has at least now recovered from the catastrophe

The Name Uva

When the wind blows through the mountains, a "hoo" sound is generated. It is believed from the tales that the word "hoo-wa" is later transformed into "Uva". But how and when it is used is never mentioned.

http://www.bhoomi.lk

Maligawila

Maligawila, or Maligavila is a village in Sri Lanka, approximately 15 kilometers (9 mi) south from Moneragala and 9 kilometers (6 mi) from Okkampitiya in the Moneragala District. It is the site of several important archaeological pieces, including a free-standing 11 meters (36 ft 1.1 in) or 12 meters (39 ft 4.4 in) tall limestone statue of Buddha, claimed in some quarters to be the tallest free-standing statue of Buddha in the world, though the Avukana Buddha Statue is also said to be taller.[1][2] This Buddha draws many tourists to the region.[3] It also boasts the Avalokitesvara statue, a 10 meters (32 ft 9.7 in) limestone portrait. These statues, which were discovered in the 1950s and restored between 1989 and 1991, are believed to have been commissioned by the 7th century prince Agghabodhi.[4] There is additionally a 10th century historical pillar placed in the 10th year of the rule of Mahinda IV (956-972 AD).