Hunnasgiriya Fort

Hunnasgiriya Fort was an ancient fort in Sri Lanka’s Kandy district. Today, only the ruins of its fort walls remain. There hasn’t been a full archaeological investigation, but some sources, like an article in Lankadeepa, provide some details about its history. The fort is located about 42 kilometers from Kandy, on top of Medamahanuwara, which is part of Hunnasgiriya Mountain. In earlier times, this mountain was known as Medamahanuwara Mountain.

King Senarath and Origins of Hunnasgiriya Fort

The exact date and builder of the fort are not clear, but local legend suggests it was built by King Senarath, who ruled the Kingdom of Kandy from 1604 to 1635. King Senarath is remembered as a visionary leader. His reign is known for strengthening the kingdom’s boundaries and fortifying its defenses. The fort likely served as a defensive structure to protect the kingdom from enemy invasions.

Later, kings of Kandy, including King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha, used the fort as a place of refuge during times of danger. It is said that King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha, along with his wives and allies, took shelter in the area to protect themselves from the British during their invasion of the Kingdom of Kandy.

The Secret Tunnel and the British Invasion

The nearby villages of Medamahanuwara, Bombure, and Rajagala were important in the kingdom’s defense. According to historical accounts, when the British captured King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha in Bombure, he had already left the Kandy Palace and moved to a palace higher up in Medamahanuwara Mountain.

In Bombure, there was once a waterfall, and local legends say that beneath this waterfall, there was a secret tunnel. Only the king and a few close allies knew about this tunnel. The tunnel was believed to lead to a safe place on top of Medamahanuwara hill. Unfortunately, the tunnel’s entrance was not accessible at the time when King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha needed to escape. As a result, his plans for a quick getaway were delayed, and the British forces eventually captured him.

Today, the waterfall in Bombure no longer exists, and the secret tunnel remains a mystery. Despite this, the ruins at Hunnasgiriya Fort still stand as a reminder of the kingdom’s efforts to protect itself from invaders.