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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 is 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 that 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
- Kottadamuhela
- Lunuatugalge (Lunuatu Galge)
- Sithulpawwa Magul Maha Viharaya
- Malwariyakema
- Mandagala
- Mandagala Wewa
- Mayagala (Wadambuwa)
- Minihagalkanda
- Modaragala
- Nelumpath Pokuna
- Padikema Patanangala
- Pilimagala
- Pillinnawa Stone Pillars
- Pimbyramakanda
- Silavakanda
- Sithulpawwa Viharaya
- Thalaguruhela
- Uda pothana
- Veeragala
References
- Somadeva, R., 2006. URBAN ORIGINS IN SOUTHERN SRI LANKA. Doctoral Thesis in Archaeology. Uppsala University.
Also See
Map of Kirinda Bembawa Archaeological Site
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 kilometers away (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 |
