A rugged rock mountain near Mawanella, once the hideout of Sri Lanka's legendary Robin Hood-style bandit Saradiel, with fine views from the top.

Overview

Utuwankanda is a rocky mountain of around 430 m near Mawanella in the Kegalle District, famous as the hideout of Utuwankande Sura Saradiel, a 19th-century outlaw remembered in folklore as the Robin Hood of Sri Lanka. A short but at times steep and hands-on climb of about 45 minutes leads through boulders and scrub to the summit, which offers wide views over the surrounding valleys. The story of Saradiel, who robbed colonial officials and their allies, gives the hike an added sense of legend.

History

The mountain is named for Deekirikevage Saradiel (1832-1864), who used its caves and boulders as a base to rob British administrators and wealthy travellers, sharing spoils with the poor. Local legend credited him with supernatural powers of invisibility and invulnerability. He was captured and hanged in 1864, becoming a folk hero and symbol of resistance to colonial rule.