Ariyapuggala

Ariyapuggala is a small rural settlement located within the administrative boundaries of the Kandy District in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The village lies approximately 12 kilometres south of the city of Kandy, situated at an elevation of roughly 700 metres above sea level in the foothills of the Knuckles Mountain Range. Its geographical coordinates are 7°47′N latitude and 80°09′E longitude. The surrounding landscape is characterized by rolling tea plantations, mixed evergreen forests, and intermittent streams that feed into the larger Mahaweli River system.

Historically, Ariyapuggala emerged in the late 19th century as a community of tea plantation laborers brought from other parts of the island to support the growth of the Ceylon Tea Industry. By the early 20th century, the village had developed modest infrastructure, including a primary school, a communal well, and a Buddhist temple that serves as both a place of worship and a community centre. The name Ariyapuggala is believed to derive from the Sinhalese words ‘ariya’ meaning ‘noble’ and ‘puggala’ which translates to ‘layers’ or ‘tiers’, possibly referencing the tiered arrangement of the hilltop settlement.

The local economy remains primarily agrarian, with the cultivation of tea, spices such as cinnamon and pepper, and subsistence crops like rice and betel. Handicrafts, especially woven rattan baskets, contribute to household incomes. Cultural life is dominated by annual festivals celebrating Buddhist and Hindu traditions, reflecting the demographic composition of Sinhala Buddhists and a minority Tamil Hindu population. The village integrates contemporary development through road connectivity to the National Highway, enhancing access to markets and educational facilities in Kandy.