Bembawa Archaeological Site at Yala (යාල බැඹව පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)

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Bembawa Archaeological Site
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage archeology site

As you travel on the Sithulpawwa Road in Kirinda towards the ancient Sithulpawwa Temple inside the Yala National Park for about 10 km, the Wildlife Department Gate at the Yala Border is located in Bembawa. The Wildlife Department buildings at the gate are located on the archaeological site where scattered ruins of an ancient temple complex can be seen.

One significant feature of this site is the lack of bricks. It is believed that the structures have been built with rocks and most probably they have been stupas.

Professor Raj Somadeva has identified this place as a megalithic cist burial ground. Considering the structures on the rock outcrops, they are also likely to be megalithic burials. Large stone slabs found near these structures are most likely part of these burials.

List of Archaeological Sites inside Yala and Kumana National Parks

Akasa Chethiya
Athurumithurugala (see map below)
Athurumituruwewa
Bambaragastalawa
Bembawa
Bowattegala
Brahmanatota
Dematagala
Dikkandanegala
Divulanagoda (Veheradivulana)
Gonagala
Goyankola Mayagala
Handuneruwa
Iriyapola
Kanabiso Galge
Katupila (see map below)
Katupila Mankada (see map below)
Kiripokunahela
Mahakiriwedumagala
Kongala

References

Somadeva, R., 2006. URBAN ORIGINS IN SOUTHERN SRI LANKA. Doctoral Thesis in Archaeology. Uppsala University.

Also See

Map of Kirinda Bembawa Archaeological Site

Please click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map (ගූගල් සිතියම් පහලින්)

Show Location (ගූගල් සිතියම)

The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.

Travel Directions to Bembawa Archaeological Site

The park can be reached through Southern Highway. It is 275 kilometres away (the shortest path through Ratnapura avoiding the Highway but travel time is longer) from Colombo.

Route from Colombo to Yala National Park (Ruhuna) Entrance	Route from Kataragama to Yala National Park (Ruhuna) Entrance
Through : Southern Highway – Mattala – Tissamaharama – Kirinda Distance : 275 km Travel time : 4.30 hours Driving directions : see on Google map	Through Tissamaharama – Kirinda Distance : 40 km Travel time : 45 minutes. Driving directions : see on Google map

Route from Hambanthota to Bembawa Archaeological Site

Through : Kirinda – Sithulpawwa Road
Distance : 42 km
Travel time :1/2 hour
Driving directions : see on google map

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