Ampara Divisional Secretariat

With the defeat of the Uva Rebellion in 1818, the people of Wellassa who faced the freedom struggle were subjected to repression by the British. The people of Wellassa who survived this repression settled in Wewgampaththuwa in Digamadulla which was a dense forest. By maintaining relations with the Muslims and Tamils living in Digamadulla at that time, a culture of its own emerged, gaining its cultural influence.

This area was initially under the control of the Batticaloa District. These areas came under the rule of the Tamil Vanniyars and were an arbitrary rule. Complaints were made to the English against this action and as a result in 1921a separate Sinhala region called "Wewgampattuwa" was formed. It was controlled by a Sinhala sub-agent and a country gentleman.

After 1948, the Galoya Development Scheme initiated by the then Prime Minister D.S Senanayake led to rapid growth. The administration which was known as Wewgampaththu is now divided into Uhana, Damana and Ampara Divisional Secretariats.

The Ampara Division, which came under the control of the Uhana Assistant Government Agent's Division, maintained the Government Agent's Office as its sub office in 1984. 1989 became a separate Assistant Government Agent's Office. 1993 Established as Ampara Divisional Secretariat. Today it consists of 22 Grama-Niladhari Divisions.

It is about 200 feet above sea level and is bordered by Uhana Divisional Secretariat on the north, Sammanthurai Divisional Secretariat on the east and Moneragala Divisional Secretariat on the west. It covers an area of 120 km2 and has a population of 49411. Divided into 13079 families. All the administrative institutions of the district are located in this division.