Archaeology

The shrine of Ukantha Malai, devoted to Lord Kataragama, and nestled in thick jungle amidst huge rocks, is the Playground of Valli and Murugan, and hence divine grace manifests abundantly here. Okanda, as it is called in Sinhala and English, is unique as a popular pilgrims' resort, much hallowed as a centre of penance and prayer. Pilgrims from all parts of Sri Lanka, of varied faiths and cultures, seek grace at Okanda Rock Shrine, especially during its great festival in July.

Kudumbigala is in Panama Village of the Panama Secretariat Division in Ampara District. It is on the road from Panama to Kumana National Park. It is situated in an area paved with large rock boulders and rock surfaces surrounded by a thick jungle. There are rock caves with drip-ledges and some of them having inscriptions of the Pre Christian era. Remains of structures are found in some of the rock surfaces and the large rock known as Kudumbigala contains remains of two Dagobas. Kudumbigala monastic complex was built in 246 BC, during the time of King Devanampiyatissa. It was first established as a refuge for the Buddhist monks who wanted to get away from the busy Cities. Archaeologists had recovered over 200 rock caves belonging to this forgotten monastery. The inscriptions in Brahmi script and other evidence in the recently discovered cave, Maha Sudharshana Lena, shows that Kudumbigala was established as an Aranya Senansanaya in the pre-Christian era. A stone inscription has it that the Maha Sudharshana Lena was built and gifted to the Arahats by the Giant Warrior Nandimitra, one of King Dutugemunu’s “Dasa Maha Yodayas”, the ten giant warriors. A large number of pillars, columns and ponds carved into the rocky compound of the monastic complex dates back to the seventh century AD. There is evidence to suggest that the caves may have been used as a modest hermitage till the early 17th century AD. It is significant to note that the remains of the monastery had barely been disfigured in any way following its abandonment. Having been an isolated monastery within the forest, there is no indication that the surrounding area may have been inhabited at any point in time, which essentially made the sanctuary a lost and forgotten one. The character around the monastery is one of serenity and tranquillity, essential features to be lost in meditation. Once you climb to the summit the view of the surrounding environment is breath-taking.

East most point in Sri Lanka. The beaches are still un-spoilt and as wide as 100 meters at some placed. The Sangaman Kanda Lighthouse has been built in 1947 with a height of 25feet. This has been destroyed during the 2004 tsunami and only a 15feet of the light house now remains. Sangaman Kanda lies on the Potuvil – Kalmune route. This is a small hillock lying close to the road. But to reach the light house which marks the most eastern point of the country, its said you need to walk through several private lands.

Muhudu Maha Vihara is a Buddhist temple situated at Pottuvil. This temple which is situated near a wide beach, has been built over 2000 years ago by King Kavan Tissa of Ruhuna. Currently the ruins and remains of ancient stupas, Seema Malaka, Avasa Geya and statues can be seen at the site. This viharaya marks the landing place of Viharamahadevi, daughter of Kelani Tissa, who was destined to become the queen of King Kavan Tissa of the Rohana kingdom. According to the ancient chronicle Rajavaliya, it is stated that in the second century BC after Kelaniya was submerged by the sea due to a natural disaster, Devi the daughter of King of Kelaniya was cast to sea in a Golden Vessel to appease the gods, and washed ashore near the Muhudu Maha Vihara in Pottuwil. Later she became the main consort of king Kavan Tissa of Ruhuna Kingdom, under the name Viharamahadevi

Neelagiri Seya is the largest Buddhist stupa in the Eastern Province. The stupa, located in the Lahugala Forest Reserve and is believed to be built by King Kawantissa (3rd Century BC) This massive stupa has a circumference of 600 feet (182 meters) and 72 feet (22 meters) high in the current status. The restoration of this stupa was initiated again in 2011. During this work, two previously unknown inscriptions have been found. One belongs to the 1st century which describe a donation by the Maharaajinee Chula Sivalee Queen daughter of the King Bhatikabaya (20 BC-9 AC). The second inscription states about the donations made by king Jettatissa I (266-276). During the excavations the teams have found remains of an ancient aramic complex surrounding this stupa spreading across 36 hectares (89 acres). They have also exposed recovered a golden casket in stupa among may items found from the excavations.

Lahugala is one of the unspoilt National Parks in Sri Lanka on the Monaragala District. The Siyambalanduwa – Pottuvil Road runs on the south-eastern sector of the park. The Magul Maha Viharaya lies about 22 km off from Siyambalanduwa town and about 11 km off Pottvil. This temple is said to be built by King Kavanthissa in the 2nd Century BC on the location where the King married the pricecess Vihara Maha Devi. The foundations of the “Magul maduwa” where the wedding ceremony took place can still be seen in the vihara premises. The entire Vihara complex had covered an extent of around 10,000 acres where ruins of a palace, moonstone, monastery, bo-maluwa, stupas, ponds etc. are found scattered all over. The moonstone here is said to be unique in the country as this is the only location where elephants are carved with their mahouts in the moonstone.

Currently the village of Sastrawela is a tiny speck of habitation situated on the Panama-Pottuvil Road. The village does not even make it into the Survey General’s map. According to folklore, the name Sastrawela is said to have been derived from the original name Shastraweiliya which indicates that the locality was associated with an institution of learning. The word ‘Shastra’ even roughly means a discipline or an art form. The area is said to have been the abode of many a soothsayer and scholars during ancient times. Legend says that scholars from far away kingdoms and even across the seas from India had travelled to Sastrawela to learn the various disciplines of science and astrology. The history of Sastrawela goes back to the 3rd Century B.C when the Ruhuna Kingdom was established by King Mahanaga, brother of Devanampiya Tissa. Mahanaga fleeing from Rajarata after an assassination attempt established his capital in Magama, believed to be in modern day Tissamaharama. Since then Ruhuna flourished for many centuries at times as an independent kingdom and at times as a semi-autonomous sub-kingdom under the rule of Anuradhapura.

Wawevehera Rajamaha Viharaya (also known as Panama Rajamaha Viharaya) and its ruins lies about five hundred meters away from the heart of the Panama, its ancient reservoir which feeds most of the areas paddy fields. Lying in a cleared patch in middle of the jungle, the cave temple has been dated to 2nd century based on the inscriptions on the drip ledge cave.