The Guardians of Ritigala

Ancient Sri Lankan traditions connect Ritigala with the Yakkas, mysterious beings or early inhabitants of the island.

The mountain was believed to be one of the places where these inhabitants lived before the spread of Buddhism.

According to local legend, the Yakkas protected all vegetation on the mountain.

Trees, medicinal plants and other natural treasures were believed to be under their protection.

In these stories, the Yakkas were not always portrayed as evil beings.

Professor Walpola Rahula explained that the term Yaksa also referred to supernatural beings worthy of respect.

He also considered the possibility that the term had once been applied to certain indigenous human communities of the island.

This tradition may therefore preserve memories not only of mythical beings but also of ancient inhabitants of Sri Lanka.

Ritigala is thus a place where mythology, ancient history and the memory of local communities overlap.