people have lived in this area for a long time, as shown in historical writings. a portuguese income report written in 1599 shows that they collected revenue from nearby places like munagama, wagawatta, and kekuladola. the present rathnapura–panadura road, which runs through poruwadanda, has evidence of having been used for more than 186 years. a british doctor named john dave travelled to adams peak in 1817 from panadura via horana, rathnapura and palabaddala. he described the beauty of the ingiriya area as he travelled along this road. the main city was born in the beginning of plantation colonization by the british rulers. the urugala and nambapana areas of ingiriya have a history which relates to the kings who ruled near kalu river.