Kegalle

Kegalle District belongs to the Sabaragamuwa Province according to the administrative divisions of Sri Lanka. The Kegalle district is bounded by the Kurunegala district on the north, the Gampaha and Colombo districts on the west, the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts on the east, and the Ratnapura district on the south. Inheriting various topographical features, this district covers an area of ​​1685 square kilometers (651 square miles). The area which now belongs to the Kegalle District belonged to the two districts known as Satara (four) Koralaya and Thun (three) Koralaya during the old Sinhala rule.Kinigoda Korale, Galboda Korala, Paranakuru Korala and Belimal Korala combine to form the Satara(Four)Korala, Atalugampanaval Korala, Pathabulathgam Korala and Dehigampal Korala to form the Thun(Three) Korala.The present system of administration is also largely organized according to old divisions and boundaries. Accordingly, there are about 837,179 people living in 573 Grama Niladhari Divisions in this district which consists of 11 Divisional Secretariat Divisions namely Kegalle, Rambukkana, Deraniyagala, Mawanella, Aranayake, Galigamuwa, Warakapola, Ruwanwella, Bulathkohupitiya, Yatiyantota, and Dehiowita. Evidence of the earliest prehistoric humans in Sri Lanka can also be found in this district. Evidence from Kitulgala Belilena, Karandupana Alulena, and Dorawaka Gal Lena confirm that the ancient humans of this area established settlements around caves between 27000-3500 years ago. Information on the Megalithic period, an evolving stage of ancient human society, is also found in places such as Nikawalamulla and Asmadala in this region. The study of the distribution of Brahmi cave inscriptions shows that there was a widespread population expansion in this area during the historical period.Among the places where Brahmi inscriptions are found in this area are Karandupana Alulena, Atugoda, Diwela, Hunuwala, Lenagala, Yatahalena, Danagirigala, Salgala, Thimbiripola, Ambalankanda, Wathudeniya, Bisowela, Padavigampola, Hinatipotha, Abepussa.Examination of these cave inscriptions reveals that the area was inhabited by people of various craftsmen who enjoyed a high standard of living who created local control centers.