History

History reveals that under the directive of the kings in the ancient SRILANKA there were many ANGAM CLANS. Out of them “ SUDALIYA” CLAN and “MARUWALLIYA” CLAN which were formed in KANDY era were very famous. They were highly supported by the kings. But there were some other clans which practiced ANGAM  in other areas that had schools to provide the fighters to the king and the country required. Ex- Kotte Klan, Ritigala Clan,Warnasuriya Clan and heads of the  Angam schools held distinguished office in the king’s council.

However this great island fell under the British rule in 1815. It is important to mention here that was not after defeat by war, but due to falling pray to conspiracies planned by the British. Immediately thereafter the martial art schools appear to have been neutralized. Practice of martial art was prohibited and any who defied were persecuted.  Thus began the era in which, an art that protected the people of the island for over 2500 Sri Lanka, a country with a rich history that goes back for over 3000 years tells us of great sports that were enjoyed by the kings who ruled this wonderful land. Unarmed combat among champions had been the pinnacle of all events.   In the past ages, where the law of “survival of the fittest” prevailed, this tiny nation had to hold its own, mostly against the mighty India. The kings of India many a time thought to have this “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” to decorate their crowns and invaded the island. But invariably, each time, they were driven back. Such was the invincible might of the fighting techniques practiced by the people of Sri Lanka and they called it the ANGAM  SATAN KALAWA (fighting art named ANGAM ).

years, was being forced to oblivion.

Our ancestors who knew the value of this great martial art, in a last bid to save the knowledge, have then turned into secretly preserving it within the families. Although part of the knowledge was still lost, this fortunately had saved Angam Kalawa totally being lost to the future generations. We are lucky to have teachers, still among us, who have the knowledge to pass on techniques in unarmed combat, grips, stick and sword fighting and techniques of a variety of other weapons.