Sri Lanka's Unique Art of Combat

Angampora is a uniquely Sri Lankan art of fighting, created thousands of years ago by the island’s early inhabitants
to protect their communities and eventually the sovereignty of the nation.

Harking back to the days of yore, Sri Lanka has been a paradise island rich in natural resources, fertile land,
as well as tradable commodities. The natural splendour of the island is what drew many from far and wide to
its shores throughout history. As the nation began to attract the attention of outsiders who recognized the
potential of the land, the natives found themselves having to defend their territories and communities from
foreign aggressors, in addition to fighting internal squabbles and disputes.

Naturally, the need arose for a local form of tactical combat which would give the islanders the upper hand.
This art of combat lived on for centuries, helping the people of Lanka to protect the sovereignty of the nation,
until the period of British Ceylon, when it was banned and prohibited from being practiced or passed on to
younger generations.

Here is the story of Angampora – a uniquely Sri Lankan practice, that has just recently come to the
forefront and garnered the interest and attention of those within the island as well as afar…

In the Beginning

Angampora, an ancient martial art that originated in Sri Lanka, has an intriguing and tumultuous history.
Literally translating to ‘fighting with the body’, it was a unique art practiced by the natives of the island for
thousands of years.
There are many versions of how Angampora came to be, since it was never officially documented, but passed
down from generation to generation. However, there are a few chronicles that shed light on the possible
origins of the practice.

Insight gained from ancient texts such as the Ramayana lead us to believe that the fighting technique
of Angampora dates back at least 5,000 years to the time when the Raksha King Ravana reigned in
Lanka.

It is believed that the king himself was a master practitioner of Angampora, and that he used it during the
battle against Prince Rama of India. What made the practice of Angampora so unique at the time was the
belief that the king developed not only ways of inflicting death on his opponent through a series of strikes,
but also knew how to heal his soldiers through pressure point strikes. The latter has been incorporated into
the ancient art of Ayurveda healing.
There is reason to believe that prior to the great war between Ravana and Rama, the king of Lanka even took
Rama’s brother, Lakshmana, under his wing and trained him in the art of Angampora. This could even be
one of the reasons that Rama and Lakshmana eventually succeeded in defeating Ravana.
Another iteration of the origins of Angampora is that it was perfected by the Yakkha tribe, about 3,000 years
ago, and was used solely for self-defence when they were threatened by foreign invaders and other tribes.
In addition to these schools of thought, some present-day practitioners of the art believe that Angampora was
devised by prehistoric men who lived on the island to protect themselves against predatory animals.
The Art of Angampora

What is popularly known as Angampora today, is actually just one part of a complete martial art that
encompasses hand-to-hand combat (Angampora), wielding of weapons (Ilangampora), and shamanism
(Maya Angam). All three elements are referred to as ‘Angam Satan Kala’ as a whole (translated as ‘the
fighting art of Angam’).

Angampora is an art of hand-to hand combat that incorporates defensive and offensive strikes, along
with intricate grapples that cause the opponent immense pain or pins them down. Many of these
techniques utilize a series of intricate foot movements.

There are four particular techniques that require years of practice – Guti Harammba (striking techniques),
Gata Harammba (locking and gripping techniques), Pora Harammba (takedowns and wrestling techniques),
and Maru Kala (techniques that strike the pressure points of the body with the intention to kill).
Ilangampora is much more aggressive in that it requires the practitioner to bear several weapons. According
to tradition, Ilangampora incorporates the use of 32 weapons, of which, the sword, the long stick, the mace
and the battle axe are key.
The third practice is called Maya Angam, and is an art form that uses incantations and black magic to inflict
harm upon an enemy. Although this has been documented in ancient texts such as the Mahavamsa, and is
believed to have been used widely by the masters of old, presently there are no known practitioners.

Angampora is not just an art of self-defence, but is in fact a way of life, as it incorporates meditation
and is only taught to pupils willing to accept seven oaths (Diwurum Hatha). These oaths are the stringent
parameters that pupils must follow if they are to become senior practitioners (Jeshta Abhyasee).

Angampora – the Military Technique

From its supposed inception 5,000 years ago during the reign of King Ravana, Angampora was heavily
incorporated into military tactics, and used in various battles that determined the fate of the nation, even as
late as the 19th century.
Throughout its use as a primary martial art in the days of old, many families who were adept in the technique
were given special distinction by the ancient kings of Lanka. Warriors who used techniques of Angam played
a key role in many historic battles. The Ten Great Giants (called the Dasa Maha Yodayo), are considered
to be the best practitioners of all forms of Angampora during the 2nd century BC.
The art of Angampora persisted even through the turbulent colonial times of the Portuguese and the Dutch,
with native warriors who fought the Europeans using Angampora techniques in guerrilla warfare. The
Sinhalese famously defeated the Portuguese at the Battle of Mulleriyawa during the mid-16th century,
where many Angam fighters succeeded in decimating the Portuguese army.

The Ban on Angampora

It was during the British colonial era that Angampora almost went extinct in Sri Lanka. The colonials
realized that the natives were using the art of Angam, coupled with guerrilla tactics to overcome British
forces. Although it eventually failed, the Uva-Wellassa uprising of 1817-18 put fear into the hearts of the
Brits, and they took steps to curb the threats they were facing from the natives. The Governor of Ceylon at
the time, Robert Brownrigg, banned the practice and teaching of Angampora, set fire to Angam
training centres and ordered soldiers to shoot in the knee and cripple the masters of Angam so that
they couldn’t pass it down to younger generations.
A few masters escaped the persecution of the colonizers and went into hiding, practicing and teaching
Angampora to their sons and other youngsters in secret. The ban on Angampora in Sri Lanka was only lifted
in 2019. What has survived in secret today is but a fraction of the glorious art of Angampora that once
protected the people of this land.

The country’s past has been marked by major battles, where brave native warriors fought a variety of invading
forces and defended the land and its people.
Ancient chronicles such as the Mahavamsa, Thupavamsa, Rajavaliya, Dipavamsa, Ramayana, and more recent
accounts of incidents that took place in colonial Sri Lanka, indicate that Angampora combat techniques were one of
the key reasons for the success of the local warriors in battle.
The popular belief is that Angampora was a martial art originally developed by early humans who inhabited the island
to protect their territories from outside forces and predators. It is believed to have eventually become a form of
combat utilized by the ancient kings, their armies and independent warriors to defend the sovereignty of the nation.
We’ve explored some of the key battles fought using Angampora tactics below.

The Battle of Vijithapura

Considered to be one of the most iconic battles in Sri Lankan history, the Battle of Vijithapura was fought to
thwart the mighty army of the Chola King Elara. In the 2nd century BC the Kingdom of Anuradhapura had
fallen into the hands of King Elara of India.
Although Elara was considered to be a just ruler, the people of the island wanted a king who had a legitimate
claim to the throne. In the Kingdom of Ruhuna, which lay to the south of Anuradhapura, lived young Prince
Dutugemunu who resented the foreign ruler. Determined to unite the land under a Sinhala monarchy, the
prince challenged Elara for the throne.

Dutugemunu’s father, King Kavantissa of Ruhuna, had recruited a number of highly skilled combatants and
created a formidable army in anticipation of the war to oust the Chola usurper. According to the Mahavamsa,
this army was led by ten generals – the legendary Dasa Maha Yodhayo (ten great giants). Depicted as men of
unusually large stature, these generals possessed immense strength and tactical prowess.

The Dasa Maha Yodhayo, namely Nandimithra, Suranimala, Gotaimbara, Theraputthabhya,

Mahabharana, Velusumana, Khanjadeva, Phussadeva, Labhiyavasabha, and Mahasona are believed
to have been masters of the uniquely local martial art Angampora, which gave them an advantage over
the enemy. From hand-to-hand to combat to armed combat to cavalry charges, each general tactically
planned out the attack on Elara’s Vijithapura fortress.

Charging towards all four gates of the fortress, the generals of the Ruhuna army led their cavalry with
great distinction even though a number of soldiers fell at the hands of Elara’s archers. With
Dutugemunu leading from the front, the Ruhuna army finally broke into the fortress.

Velusumana, was so skilled in combat that he was able to knock down Elara’s soldiers with ease while on
horseback. He led a cavalry charge to the eastern gate of the fortress, a heroic action which ultimately forced
the army of the Indian king into the fortress.
With the withdrawal of Elara’s army, and the capture of the Vijithapura fortress, Dutugemunu’s army drove
further into the heart of Anuradhapura and defeated King Elara in single combat. The island was finally
united under King Dutugemunu.
To this day, the gallant efforts of King Dutugemunu, along with the Dasa Maha Yodhayo are spoken of as a
great example of how the magnificent warriors of old protected the sovereignty of the land.

The Battle of Mulleriyawa

Fast forward to 1559 AD, and the island of Lanka, for the first time, was under attack by European forces. In
1505, the Portuguese established their presence in Colombo by befriending the local King Bhuvenakabahu
VII of Kotte. The main reason the king accepted the presence of the Portuguese was due to the threat posed
by his youngest brother, King Mayadunne, who was vying to annex the Kotte Kingdom along with his
domains of Raigama and Sitawaka. The king of Kotte, desperate to retain control of his domain, accepted
assistance from the Portuguese.
The Portuguese, who now controlled parts of coastal Lanka, used this as an opportunity to infiltrate the hill
country of the island, which would then give them complete control of the island. The Portuguese forces
moved inland and made their way towards the central kingdom.
With the Portuguese employing the experience of Jorge De Menezes, the objective was to go inland through
the Kelani River and capture the Mapitigama stockade which was vital to the Kingdom of Sitawaka. Tikiri
Bandara, the son of King Mayadunne, learned about this plan and alerted the king.
The king dispatched Tikiri Bandara to garner support from the locals to fight the hostile Portuguese forces.
Venturing to the villages of Aturugiri, Hewagama, Koratota, and Hokandara, he was successful in recruiting
a number of villagers, who were masters in the art of Angam.
Come the first day of the Battle of Mulleriyawa, the Portuguese were well prepared for battle, and managed
to best the local fighters. However, it was on the second day that the Sitawakans, along with the militias,
were successful in completely defeating the Portuguese. They utilized a flanking manoeuvre which blocked
the retreat of the Portuguese, annihilating the entire regiment.

It is believed that the Portuguese forces were taken by surprise by the guerrilla tactics used by the
militias combined with the highly effective Angampora combat techniques. Even the powerful muskets
of the Portuguese could not match the agile movements of the local Angam warriors.

The victory resulted in the families of the militia obtaining high ranks in the King’s court. One of the
families who fought in the battle was gifted the sword of Tikiri Bandara, who went on to become King
Rajasinghe I. The sword is still guarded by the Koratota family, whom it was gifted to

The Uva-Wellasa Uprising of 1817-18

Considered to be the first fight for independence from the British, the Uva-Wellassa Rebellion of 1817-18 is also
possibly the last time that Angampora was used as a combat technique in battle.
It all began with the appointment of a British puppet Muhandiram Haji Marikkar to administrate the Wellassa region.
The reason for such an appointment was to undermine the local leader Millewa Dissawa, and to assert the authority
of the British. The appointment led to uproars from the people of the Uva-Wellassa area, which eventually translated
into small skirmishes against British authority.
The British, in an attempt to silence the uprising and assert their dominance over the people of Uva and Wellassa,
sent local noble Keppetipola Disawe to quell the uprising. In a surprising turn of events, the man who was sent to
silence the uprising became the very man to lead the rebels. Although a quick replacement was dispatched, the
British faced many casualties and setbacks due to the unpredictable guerrilla attacks employed by the rebels. The
rebellion, which lasted from 1817 to 1818 eventually failed and the leaders were executed or exiled.
British Governor Robert Brownrigg realized the threat posed by Angam combat techniques, and issued a decree to
ban Angampora. Those who defied the ban were punished, with some practitioners being shot in the knees to
prevent them from passing on Angampora to younger generations.
For almost 200 years, Angampora remained in the shadows, being taught in secret and being incorporated into
certain traditional dance forms to ensure its survival. The ban was finally lifted by the Sri Lankan Government in
2018/19, and what remains of the ancient art form was brought into the spotlight.
Today, apart from being taught to a select group of individuals as a martial art, Angampora techniques are also taught
to segments of the Sri Lankan security forces in combat training. The people of the island have a sense of pride in the
fact that this ancient martial art and combat technique, which is unique to Sri Lanka, was preserved throughout the
centuries so that it can now be shared with the world.

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Angampora is one of the oldest fighting arts in the world practised in Sri Lanka. It receives its name from the angam
arts which involve hand-to-hand combat forms; and the ilangam arts which incorporate traditional weaponry such as
the Urumi (ethunu kaduwa),swords, battle axes, staves, daggers and maces.

According to legend this martial art form originated almost 30,000 years ago from the Yaksha tribe; one of
the ancient tribes that inhabited the island.

However, the two ancient scripts, Varga Purnikawa and Pancha Rakkhawaliya, mention that it originated
even earlier from the efforts of nine hermits. The legends also say that the most famous expert of this art was
Rana Ravana, a mythical warrior said to have lived 5,000 years ago.

Another story speaks of a heroine named Menike or Disapathiniya who lived in the medieval era and dressed
as a male to get revenge on her father’s murder. She defeated the murderer using Angampora techniques in a
deep pit known as an ura linda or ‘pig’s pit’.  Her success led to an increase in the fame surrounding the
martial art; and which in turn led to its survival.

Either way, it indeed fact that it was used in wars for almost two millennia as confirmed by historic evidence
presented in carvings from various ancient temples such as the Embekke Devalaya, The temple of the Tooth,
etc; and many historic scripts.

According to the scripts this martial art form was used by fighters in the army of King Bhuvanekavahu VI
when he conquered the Jaffna Kingdom; and those in the army of Mayadunne of Sitawaka during the 1562
battle of Mulleriyawa.
During its peak Angampora was practiced by two major schools, the Maruwalliya and Sudhaliya, who
routinely fought each other in the presence of the king. The fighters practiced in huts known as angam madu;
which were built according to the concepts of Gebim Shasthraya, the traditional philosophical system of
architecture

However, the art later went through a decline; almost disappearing during the colonial era. The main reason
for this was that Angampora was highly feared by the British during their invasion. They took extreme
measures against this martial art; prohibiting the art form, burning all the practice huts that they found, and
shooting the kneecaps of the existing practitioners to maim them.

Despite their efforts, Angampora survived and resurfaced after the end of the British rule in 1948. The
Jathika Hela Angam Shilpa Kala Sangamaya, the highest governing body of the art today, was established in
2001. Angampora continues to flourish today in modern times.

The Combat Method

The combat techniques of Angampora include locks and grips, strikes and blocks, and most especially
pressure point attacks that can cause pain or even permanent paralysis. There are also self-defense
techniques, sport, exercise and meditation techniques which can be learned. It is believed that there was also
a some secretive Angampora techniques known as ‘maya angam’ that used incantations and spells for attack.

Angampora Training Programme

A practice session in Angampora begins with meditation and offering of merit to the master.

The student then lights three lamps before he entered the training hut.

Pledges have to be made promising to use the technique solely for purposes of self-defense and the defense
of family or country.

Actual practice begins with basic warm-up exercises, gradually moving on to special exercises.

Foot movement techniques are the cornerstone of Angampora; and a foot exercise named ‘mulla panina’ is
the first skill taught. This exercise is followed by more advanced techniques.

Weaponless combat known as amaraya is taught next and the student learns to observe and attack the weak
points of an opponent.

The subsequent area of training is in weaponed combat. In total, there are sixty-four types of weapons;
including thirty-two sword variants and several traditional weapons.

Some of the deadly, higher-level Angam attacks that trainees learn involve the nervous system; while others
if executed properly, can halt the blood flow to vital organs leading to paralysis or even death.
Alongside such techniques students also learn an indigenous medical practice known as beheth pārawal
(medical shots) which reverses the effects of such strikes.