Vijaya, first King of Sri Lanka in the recorded history, was the prince regent of King Sinhabahu and Queen Sinhaseevali of Sinhapura. He was the eldest of the 16 pairs of twins they had. King Sinhabahu and Sinhaseevali were brother and sister born to a Lion and princess Suppadevi, a Vanga Kingdom princess.
Ancient Relic Caskets made of stone and number of metal statues were discovered in the ancient stupa of Pananwela Ganegoda Rajamaha Viharaya. These ruins indicate that the temple has a history going as far back as early to mid Anuradhapura Era.
Parker in 1909 describes an ancient amuna known as “Allekattu” in Tamil, located across the Kalaru River, which originates from the Pavatkulama Wewa reservoir and serves as one of the main tributaries to the Malwathu Oya in the Northern Province. The dam is situated approximately 2 miles (about 3 km) upstream from the Kalaru bridge on the Mannar-Medawachchiya road. Brohier refers to this weir as “Allekattu Tekkam.”
Pethanmalu Raja Maha Vihara, originally built during the Anuradhapura era, underwent renovations during the Kandyan period after a period of decline. As a result, the temple features architectural elements from both eras. Stone pillars, flights of steps, guard stones, sculpted stones, pedestals, and moonstones are among the distinctive features of Anuradhapura era.
Pitiye Deviyo is a powerful protector deity of Dumbara who had once defeated the deity Natha Deviyo who had fled in fear of him after a brief battle. The people of Dumbara fear and respect him as he is believed to protect the land, the crops, and the people who live in the area. He provides the rain on time for cultivation and dry weather for harvesting.
Despite the Uduvila Gangarama Viharaya temple’s recent developments, there are still a few relics of the monastic complex from the Pre-Christian era. Near the stupa, you’ll find a cluster of undressed stone pillars that once supported an ancient building. Additionally, the top portion of a massive Yupa Gala, and Gal Chatra is found nearby
The Poththewelagala Ruins are located in a scrub jungle, 2 kilometers southeast of Tissamaharama. The site can be reached from a gravel road 3.3 km down the Kirinda-Sithulpawwa Road. A black archaeology board by the roadside marks the direction of this gravel road. After driving 1 kilometre along this road and passing a model village, you will arrive at the ruins.
Uddhakandara Rajamaha Viharaya is a new temple in Tissamaharama built on an ancient monastic site going back to the pre-Christian era. The original temple is believed to have been built by regional king Mahanaga, the brother of King Devanmpiyatissa (250-210 BCE) who fled the Anuradhapura kingdom.
The Thambarawa Wewa site features Iron Age cist burials and an adjacent settlement. Excavations by Prof. Somadeva revealed compact granite chambers containing funerary urns, charcoal, and glass fragments. These findings confirm early sedentary habitation and ritual practices involving deliberate spatial organization.
Handapangala Wewa is a picturesque and peaceful haven located in the Wellawaya area popular among the travellers and photographers for the abundant elephants in the area especially during the dry season. The bund of the Handapanagala Wewa is 3600 feet (1.1 km) long and 19 feet (5.8 m) high. At full capacity, the water covers 450 acres and holds 5000 acre feet.
Empilipitiya Chandrika Wewa Reservoir, located in the Ratnapura District bordering Hambanthota District, is one of the largest reservoirs constructed after Ceylon gained independence. Chandrika wewa today is a magnet for the tourists and pilgrims to Kataragama seeking the scenic route rather than than the Southern Expressway.
The Udawalawe Reservoir, located in the Ratnapura and Hambantota Districts of Sri Lanka, is one of the country’s largest and most significant water bodies. It was constructed in 1963, primarily to support agriculture and irrigation in the surrounding regions, which include Udawalawe, Embilipitiya, and Hambantota.
Hurulu Wewa ancient reservoir, originally known as Challura Vapi, was one of sixteen reservoirs constructed by King Mahasen, the renowned Sinhalese monarch who ruled over Lanka from 276 to 303 CE. The reservoir lies on Yan Oya in the remote village of Yakalla, between Anuradhapura and Habarana off Ritigala.
The title of Adhigar (Adigar) in the Kandyan Kingdom of Sri Lanka referred to a high-ranking official or noble who held significant administrative and judicial authority. In Sinhala, he is called the Adhikaram. The position was one of the most powerful in the Kandyan court, second only to the king himself. Adhigars were entrusted with overseeing various aspects of governance, including implementing laws, administering justice, and managing royal affairs.
Diyawadana Nilame’ has the custody of the key to the first casket out of the seven golden caskets where the Sacred Tooth Relic is enshrined, as he is the lay custodian of the Sacred Tooth Relic. This position is recorded in the ‘Dathuwansa’, the chronicle of tooth relic, as ‘Dhathurakkadikari’.
The image house of Wendaruwa Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya is a rectangular Kandyan-style building with a verandah supported by 16 evenly spaced wooden pillars. The pillars are carved with alternating square and cylindrical sections, though these sections are plain and lack any decorative design. The pillars rest on a wooden frame constructed with large wooden beams placed atop the half-height outer wall of the image house.
These ruins are scattered across a rocky hill that stretches approximately 800 meters from north to south. The hill is surrounded on all sides by farmland. An irrigation canal and a paved road run along the eastern slope, making the western slopes the most accessible route to approach the rock by a vehicle.
The archaeological ruins at Kapuraththala Gala consist of a Stupa, a number of rock ponds, flower alter and stone pillars of ancient buildings. The site is located on a rocky hill in the Pelatiyawa Grama Niladhari division, within the Dimbulagala Divisional Secretariat. These ruins are situated east of Wasgamuwa National Park, near the Manampitiya-Mahiyanganaya road.
The Archaeological Ruins are found on the rocky hill identified as Kumbukandana (Kumbukkandana) rock in Aliwanguwa GS division in Wilgamuwa Divisional Secretaries Division which extends over about 300m. from north to south, about 200 m. from east to west, and is about 60 m. in height. The site consists of three sections.
With artifacts going back to Anuradhapura Era, Dikwella Kurumbure Purwarama Rajamaha Viharaya experienced a period of great prosperity during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe (1747 – 1781), The temple holds a golden Buddha statue believed to be one of the four statues which Arhat Maliyadeva brought from India
