The Ancient Stone Bridge at Kayankerni

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Remains of the ancient Kayyankerni stone bridge
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

The Vannādi Stone Bridge in Kayankerni is a 150-meter-long, 2-meter-wide ancient structure spanning the Kayankerni Lagoon. Utilizing nearly 100 pillars, this Anurādhapura-period cart bridge connected local settlements to three nearby Pullavi jungle monasteries and adjacent ruins.

This ancient stone bridge is located to the west of the Kayaṅkerni Junction and extends across the Kayaṅkerni Lagoon. The bridge falls within the Kayaṅkerni 211-A Grāma Niladhāri Division of the Kōrale Pattu North (Vakarai) Divisional Secretariat.

Among the local residents, the bridge is known as the Vannādi Bridge. The word “Vannādi” is a Tamil term meaning “butterfly.” Approximately 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) east of the Kayaṅkerni stone bridge and about 200 meters (650 feet) inland from the Kayaṅkerni coast, extensive ruins are scattered across a landscape extending for several kilometers.

Architectural Features

The bridge has been constructed along an east-west axis and measures approximately 150 meters (490 feet) in length. The remains reveal two rows of stone pillars set about 1.2 meters (4 feet) apart. Based on the surviving evidence, the structure appears to have utilized nearly 100 stone pillars, including 16 fallen pillars now submerged within the lagoon and surrounding mangrove wetlands.

The bridge is estimated to have been approximately 2 meters (6.6 feet) wide, sufficient for the passage of carts. At the western end of the bridge, several removed pillars can still be observed.

Historical Context

With the discovery of several Buddhist monasteries belonging to the early Anurādhapura period within the jungles of Pullavi, this bridge may have functioned as an important connection between the Pullavi region and the settlements situated west of the lagoon.

The ruins of the three monasteries discovered in the Pullavi jungles are described here

Associated Archaeological Remains

Approximately 100 meters (330 feet) west of the bridge are the ruins of an ancient building. Six stone pillars belonging to this structure still remain standing at the site, while additional pillars and stone slabs are scattered across the ground. The location has suffered severe damage due to paddy cultivation activities carried out around the ruins.

Access Route

Beginning from the Nāvaladi junction, travel along the Trincomalee A15 road up to the 43rd kilometre post. From the end of the Kayaṅkerni bridge, turn left and continue for approximately 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) through the mangrove forest to reach the bridge site.

Other Stone Bridges of Sri Lanka

There are many stone bridges discovered in Sri Lanka. These are in various states while some have been conserved to an extent. The most popular is the bridge over the Malwathu Oya.

Alubedda Stone Bridge
Angammedilla National Park Stone Bridge (Polonnaruwa)
Ebawalapitiya Gal Palama (Stone Bridge) over Deduru Oya
Girihandu Seya Stone Bridge (Tiriyaya)
Habagama Stone Bridge
Halpan Ela Stone Bridge (Anuradhapura)
Kayankerni Stone Bridge (Eastern Province)
Mahakanadarawa Wewa Stone Bridge (Mihintale)
Nirawiya Farm Gal Palama (Thambuttegama)
Palugaswewa Stone Bridge
Pavakkulam Stone Bridge (Vavuniya)
Perimiyankulama Gal Palama over Malwathu Oya (Anuradhapura)
Ritigala Gal Palama (Anuradhapura)
Sukara Nijjara Gal Amuna and Stone Bridge
Thimbiripokuna Palamgala Gal Palama
Thirappane Stone Bridge
Thulawelliya Stone Bridge
Ullukkulama Stone Bridge
Vannadi Palama (Vannadi Stone Bridge) and Amuna
Weliela Mankada Stone Bridge
Yanoya Stone Bridge

Ruins of the site about 1 km away from the ancient Kayyankerni stone bridge

Ruins of the site close to the remains of the ancient Kayyankerni stone bridge

References

Exploration and Documentation Division (Ed.). (2017). පුරාවිද්යා ස්ථාන හඳුනා ගැනීමේ ගවේෂණ වාර්තාව, මඩකලපුව දිස්ත්රික්කය. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.

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Travelling Directions to the Ancient Stone Bridge at Kayankerni

Route from Trincomalee to The Ancient Stone Bridge at Kayankerni	Route from Batticaloa to The Ancient Stone Bridge at Kayankerni
Through : Kinniya – Mutur – Serunuwara – Verugal – Kathiraveli – Vakare Distance : 95 km Travel time : 2 hours Driving directions : see on Google Maps.	Through : Chenkaladi – Kalkuda Distance : 43 km Travel time : 1 hour Driving directions : see on Google Maps.