Utuwankanda
For a long time, the infamous hideout of Sri Lanka's most notorious bandit, Saradiel, had intrigued many. The Utuwankande area was known to be a hub of lawless activities, much like Sherwood Forest of Robin Hood fame. Saradiel's gang of robbers, which included Hawadiya, Kirihonda, Bawa, Suwanda, Sirimale, and Mammalay Marikkar, terrorized the region, looting carriages and coaches of their valuables. Today, reaching Utuwankande is easy via the Edna Corporation road, about 3 km from Mawanella town towards Colombo. The Utuwankande Junction on the main road leads to a footpath that takes you through rubber, coconut, and banana plantations. One legend associated with Saradiel is that during a police crackdown, he had managed to escape by causing a buffalo stampede and clinging to the neck of one of the beasts. The climb to the top of Utuwankande takes about an hour and is steep and tiring. The rocky terrain, with its crevices and elevations, was perfect for an ambush. The view from the top...
