Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte history

Foundation and First Mentions

The city's origins trace back to a small rural area known as Darugama. The transformation of this settlement into a powerful fortified point began in the second half of the 14th century. The construction was initiated by the influential minister Nissanka Alagakkonara, who chose this site to erect an outpost capable of withstanding invasions from the Jaffna Kingdom in the north.

Initially, the fortification was simply called "Kotte," which translates from Sinhalese as "fortress." Later, following a series of military successes and its establishment as the capital, the city received the ceremonial name Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, which translates as "the resplendent city of growing victory."

Key Factors of Formation

The rapid rise of the city from a military fortress to the capital of a unified state was driven by a unique combination of geographical and economic reasons:

• Geography and Defence ("Jala Durga"): The city was built on a triangular plateau surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Diyawanna Oya and Kolonnawa Oya rivers, as well as marshy swamps. Such natural protection made it a classic example of a "water fortress," practically impregnable to the enemy armies of that time.
• Proximity to Trade Routes: Its location near the port of Kolontota (modern Colombo) allowed rulers to control maritime trade. This was critically important for the export of cinnamon and spices, which formed the basis of the kingdom's wealth.
• Political Centralization: Becoming the residence of King Parakramabahu VI, the only monarch to unify the entire island of Sri Lanka during this period, the city accumulated the country's administrative and financial resources.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the 15th century, the city experienced its "golden age," becoming the centre of the Sinhalese renaissance. Economic prosperity, based on international trade, allowed monarchs to generously patronize the arts and religion.

The cultural environment of that time was distinguished by the flourishing of literature, especially the poetic genre of "Sandesha Kavya" (message poems). Buddhist institutes, such as the famous Sunethradevi Pirivena, turned into prestigious educational centres where not only monks but also princes studied, forming the intellectual elite of the era.

Timeline of Events

• Late 14th century (circa 1370) — Minister Nissanka Alagakkonara founds a fortified stronghold in the marshy terrain to protect against invasions from the north.
• 1415 — King Parakramabahu VI is crowned in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, making the city the capital of the unified state.
• 1450 — Troops under the command of Prince Sapumal conquer Jaffna, marking the political unification of all Sri Lanka under the rule of Kotte.
• 1505 — The Portuguese fleet commanded by Lourenço de Almeida first arrives at the port of Colombo and establishes contact with the king.
• 1521 — As a result of the "Vijayaba Kollaya" conspiracy, the kingdom splits into three warring principalities, weakening the capital's power.
• 1551 — Dharmapala ascends the throne, having converted to Catholicism and becoming a puppet in the hands of the Portuguese administration.
• 1565 — Due to incessant attacks by the forces of the Sitawaka Kingdom, the city is officially abandoned, and the capital is moved to the protected fort of Colombo.
• 17th–19th centuries — The abandoned city falls into desolation, and its stone structures are dismantled by colonizers for the construction of buildings in coastal zones.
• 1896 — The first systematic archaeological excavations begin, allowing the discovery of the remains of ancient ramparts and moats.
• 1979 — The country's government makes the historic decision to return the administrative centre back to Kotte.
• 1982 — The grand opening of the new Parliament building, designed by architect Geoffrey Bawa on a man-made island, takes place.
• 2021 — Opening of a new multi-functional park and recreation zones around Lake Diyawanna, cementing the city's status as a green capital.

Stages of City Development

The history of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is a series of ups and downs, from the powerful capital of an ancient kingdom to near-total oblivion and a triumphant return to the world political map. Key milestones of its development reflect urban planning, cultural, and economic transformations.

• Foundation as a "Water Fortress" (13th century). Initially, the city was built as a fort named Kotte ("fortress") in a strategically advantageous location surrounded by rivers and swamps. This defined its initial function as a military and defensive centre.
• The "Golden Age" of the Capital (1415–1565). In the 15th century, Kotte became the capital of the powerful Sinhalese kingdom and received the honorary name Sri Jayawardenepura. This period was the peak of its cultural and economic flourishing, when literature, art, and architecture thrived.
• Decline and Transfer of the Capital (16th century). With the arrival of the Portuguese and due to constant threats from neighbouring states, the capital was moved to the more protected port of Colombo. The city began to fall into desolation, losing its political and economic status.
• Period of Oblivion (17th–19th centuries). For several centuries, Kotte was practically abandoned. Its once-majestic structures and laterite walls were dismantled, and materials were used to construct buildings in growing Colombo.
• Revival as a Suburb (Early 20th century). With the growth of Colombo, the former capital began to slowly revive, but in a new capacity — as a quiet residential suburb, gradually integrating into the metropolitan area.
• Return of Capital Status (1979–1982). In 1979, the government made the historic decision to move the administrative capital from congested Colombo back to Kotte to restore its historical role. On April 29, 1982, the new parliamentary complex officially opened here.
• Modern Urban Planning. The construction of the new Parliament building, designed by the famous architect Geoffrey Bawa on an artificial island in the middle of Diyawanna Oya Lake, gave a powerful impetus to urbanization. Swamps were drained, and modern infrastructure was created around it.
• Formation of the Administrative Centre (Late 20th – 21st centuries). Today, the city continues to develop as the administrative heart of the country. Key government institutions, ministries, and the Supreme Court are located here, definitively securing its capital status.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte represents a unique dialogue between fragments of the medieval past and ambitious modernism of the late 20th century. Unlike neighbouring Colombo with its dense colonial development, Kotte is developing as a "garden city," where administrative functions are harmoniously blended into a landscape abundant with water and greenery.

Major Architectural Eras

• Era of the Kotte Kingdom (15th–16th centuries): The period of the flourishing of traditional Sinhalese architecture. The city was formed as an impregnable fortress ("Jala Durga"). The main building material was laterite (kabook), from which powerful defensive ramparts and foundations were erected. Palaces and temples of that era were distinguished by intricate wood and stone carving, though only ruins survive to this day.
• Period of Oblivion (17th–19th centuries): After the transfer of the capital, many buildings were dismantled by the Portuguese and Dutch to build forts elsewhere. Architectural development stalled, and the territory acquired the features of a rural periphery.
• Era of National Revival (since the 1980s): The return of capital status was marked by a large-scale urban planning project. Swamps were drained, the artificial Diyawanna Oya Lake was created, and the architectural vector shifted towards creating monumental public buildings reflecting the identity of independent Sri Lanka.

Styles and Iconic Structures

In the city's modern appearance, a key role is played by Tropical Modernism — a style that adapts modern forms to the humid climate and local cultural traditions.

• Parliament Building (Tropical Modernism): The city's main landmark, designed by the famous architect Geoffrey Bawa. The complex is located on an island and resembles a floating palace. Huge copper roofs in the traditional Kandyan style, open galleries, and pavilions combine with the modern geometry of concrete, creating a majestic yet light silhouette.
• Ruins of Alagakkonara's Palace (Medieval Fortification): One of the few surviving monuments of antiquity. Here, one can see the remains of powerful kabook walls, which give an idea of the scale of the ancient capital's defensive structures.
• Administrative Complexes (Postmodernism): Around the parliamentary zone, ministry buildings (such as Sethsiripaya) have risen, executed in a functional style with elements of brutalism and postmodernism, designed to serve the state apparatus.

Notable Figures in the City's History

The history of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is inextricably linked with the names of rulers, thinkers, and figures who shaped its destiny over the centuries. From the founders of the ancient fortress to the architects of the modern capital — here are several key figures who left their mark on the city's history.

Nissanka Alagakkonara (13th Century)

Role: City founder, military commander.

Significance: It was this powerful minister and military commander who built the fortress of Kotte ("fortress") on a strategically protected marshy site. This fortification became the core of the future city and defined its military significance for years to come. His actions laid the foundation for Kotte's transformation into the capital of a powerful kingdom.

Parakramabahu VI (1412–1467)

Role: King of the Kotte Kingdom.

Significance: His reign is considered the "golden age" of Kotte. In 1415, he moved the capital to this city and ruled for almost 55 years, uniting practically the entire island under his authority. This period was marked not only by political stability but also by the flourishing of literature and the arts.

Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera (15th Century)

Role: Buddhist monk, poet, and scholar.

Significance: One of the greatest literary figures in the history of Sri Lanka, who lived during the Kotte Kingdom era. His poetic works, such as "Salalihini Sandeshaya" (The Starling's Message), are considered the pinnacle of Sinhalese classical poetry and are an important part of the cultural heritage created during the city's heyday.

Don Juan Dharmapala (1541–1597)

Role: The last king of the Kotte Kingdom.

Significance: His reign became a symbol of the kingdom's decline. He was the first and only Sinhalese monarch to convert to Catholicism (taking the name Don Juan), which caused discontent among his subjects. Under pressure from the Portuguese and neighbouring kingdoms, he left Kotte and later bequeathed his domains to the King of Portugal, which formally ended the history of the independent Kingdom of Kotte.

Junius Richard Jayewardene (1906–1996)

Role: President of Sri Lanka (1978–1989).

Significance: It was he who initiated the return of the capital from congested Colombo to Kotte. In 1979, the decision was made to build a new parliament building, and in 1982, the city officially became the administrative capital, receiving its full modern name — Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

Geoffrey Bawa (1919–2003)

Role: Architect.

Significance: One of the most influential architects in Asia, the pioneer of the "Tropical Modernism" style. It was he who designed the new Parliament building of Sri Lanka, located on an island in the middle of Lake Diyawanna. This project became a symbol of the city's rebirth and set the tone for its modern architecture, harmoniously blended into the natural landscape.