Sri Pada Adaviya Pilibanda Aitihasika Toraturu

This book deals with a very interesting fact which was hidden up to now, in the history of Sri Pada (Adams’ Peak). That is, prior to supplying electricity to Sri Pada in 1950 by the Ceylon (Sri Lankan) Government, a group of devotees, originally from Matara and southern Sri Lanka, who got together under the society name “Sri Samantakoota Viduli Pahan Aloka Sahodara Samitiya” had supplied electricity to the Peak (Maluwa) and the steepest part of the mountain (Mahagiridambaya) in 1934. They had carried on the works until the Ceylon Government took over the task in 1950.

The book describes the background from which this society came into being. To give this in brief, a young couple in their 20’s had climbed Sri Pada in 1930/1931. When they reached the Peak, a particular incident had taken place which caused to spark in the mind of the husband, the noble idea of providing electricity to Sri Padasthana. His sheer courage and determination prompted him to pawn the only source of income, a bus which fetched for the upkeep of his family at that time, to find money for this project. The book also describes how an elephant was employed to carry the 05 horse-power magnto-model, petrol driven engine up the hill. (The engine had been hung round it’s neck. ) Details of the other project of supplying piped water from Seetha Gangula to Maluwa. Started by this society are also included in the book. A number of certified copies of communications between the society and the Government including the certificates of registration of the society are given as appendices. Photographs of the Maha Nayaka of Sri Pada at that time, the person who inaugurated the ceremony of supplying electricity to Sri Pada on 28th February 1934, and the couple mentioned above are incorporated into the book. In addition, historical facts such as the visit of King Alexander the great to Sri Pada during the 3rd century BC, the traditional customs followed in inaugurating the “season of worship” (Sri Pada Samaya) and miracles that have taken place in Sri Pada area all based on documented data are explained in simple Sinhala language.

Finally it should be mentioned that details of this particular society were unknown all these years because its founder was a person who disliked fame.