Hulugalla Tampita Viharaya

Hulugalla Tampita Viharaya

Rock tends to timber in the design of the Tampita Viharaya, meaning a temple on pillars. THe Hulugall Tampita Viharaya is  Timber structure elevated on a 16-pillared monolithic foundation. An ornate wooden door acts as the main entrance to a raised inner chamber. Religios murals and Buddha statues take refuge in the sacred in covered with lotus flowe patterns. A need to protect the wooden facade and interior artworks against whiteants, woodworm and dampness informed the Tampita stuctural design. Kandyan aestheics influenced its verenda, refters and shutters, built to further the enclosed shrine. THe Tampita Viharaya vernacular tradition resembles that of the Ambalama rest house where both rely on rock foundations.

Jetavana Stupa

Jetavana Stupa

Jetavana Stupa is a religious memorial rendered immortal by its architectural engineering. Faultless project management was essential to completing the ambitious structure. the placement of the spir upon the summit was envisioned 27 years prior, as construction began on bottom basal rings. A complex understanding of compressive strength led the engineers to rely on ellipsoidal geometry and precision brickwork. The firde bricks contained a tough mixture of earth minerals. A buttery cement enabled  the bricks to bond closely together. the quality of the resources and methodology remained consistent in the laying of brick by brick until many millions fomed the paddy heap-shaped dome. Ancient man thus ensured the survival of the jetavana stupa so modern man could ponder the legacy of the tallest brick structure in the world.

Bogoda Bridge

Bogoda Bridge

the bogoda bridge is considered the oldest surving  bride in the world to be made entirely of wood. the durability and dexterity uncommon to woodwrously executed in the 50- foot iong and 6-foot wide bogoda brdge. conservation and sutainability have been exercised in its constryction. The wooden planks that support the body of the Bridge. two kumbuk timber pillars fastened with wooden nails bear the remaining load. kandyan beeralu aesthetics styles the wooden columns erected along the lenth of the Bridge. Compassion for weary travellers inspired the conception of a shingled roof that is unique to bridge designs. The Bogoda Bridge remains a blessing for those traversing the cold and choppy waters of the Gallanda River.

Urusita Wewa Bisokotuwa

Urusita Wewa biso Kotuwa

THe standout technological innovation to emerege from ancient sri lanka is the biso kotuwa. the device played the crucial role of regulating the water pressure from reservoirs prior to distribution.
A narrow inlet sluice receives water from the urusita wewa reservoir and forces the water to reduce in pressure by moving it upwards inside the biso kotuwa valve pit. the water thence adopts a discipliend condition as  it travels under a bund and enters a series of outlet sluice gates. the adjoining canals measure. out the water under the guardianship of a seven-headedcobra. creful research and calculations, concerning to pography and gravity,primed the perfect intact urusita wewa valve pit and sluice gate combination. the formation of and ancient hydraulic civilization is unequivocaly attributed to the invention of the biso kotuwa.