Archaeological Ruins in Welioya Halambawewa Area

Helambawewa is a village situated in the Mullaitivu District, located approximately 5 km inland from Weli Oya. It is described as a village that has been historically difficult to access. Currently, the area is undergoing development as part of a resettlement plan associated with the proposed Kivu Oya reservoir project.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted for the proposed Kivu Oya reservoir project identified over 50 archaeological sites within the Mullaitivu District that are expected to be affected by the project. The EIA report specifically includes mentions of several archaeological sites located within the Helambawewa area. The text indicates that these specific sites will be listed hereafter.

These archaeological sites are located within and around the newly developing Ranathissapura resettlement village in Helambawewa. Land is being cleared here for the construction of the central village and for distributing land around it for agricultural cultivation. As these areas, which were covered by forest for thousands of years, are being cleared, remnants of ancient Buddhist religious sites are emerging here and there. The places listed below are those where there are some ruins present among the archaeological sites. In addition to this, several places reflecting ancient settlements, where fragments of clay pots and bricks were found, have been encountered during these forest clearings.

The GPS locations of the places mentioned below can be seen from the Google map below.

Halambawewa Aramic Ruins I

Located at one corner of the newly established resettlement village, which marks the final section of the Kivu Oya reservoir project area, is an archaeological site showing characteristics of a monastery.

The visible remains at the site include four stone pillar bases, fragments of stone pillars, and two mounds. One of these mounds is clearly identifiable as a stupa. Unfortunately, this stupa mound has a hole in its center, approximately two meters deep, the result of excavation by treasure hunters several years ago. The stupa’s diameter measures about ten meters. Near the stupa, fragments of a large stone pillar base, which was broken by treasure hunters while searching for valuables, are also present.

Adding to the difficulty in assessing the site is the impact of recent development work in the area. Stone pillars and other ruins that belonged to this ancient site have reportedly been misplaced or have disappeared due to these activities, making it challenging to draw a definite conclusion about the site’s original form and significance.

Halambawewa Ruins of Ancient Stupa

Located approximately 150 meters to the southwest of the previously mentioned archaeological site, and situated near the Ma Oya, are the remains of another ancient stupa. This stupa, unfortunately, has also fallen victim to treasure hunters. There is a noticeable hole about three meters deep in its center due to their activities.

Notable features of this stupa include the size of the bricks used in its construction. One example brick measures about 17 inches (approx. 43 cm) in length, 8.5 inches (approx. 21.5 cm) in width, and 3.5 inches (approx. 9 cm) in height.

Upper Halambawewa Aramic Ruins

Located approximately one kilometer northwest of the initial monastic ruin site previously discussed, lies another archaeological site. These ruins are situated within an area designated for future allocation as agricultural land for those being resettled under the Kivu Oya reservoir project.

The remnants found at this site include stone pillars accompanied by two Korawakgal (balustrades), along with fragments of bricks and clay pots. This location has also been affected by treasure hunting, resulting in the disappearance or misplacement of many artifacts from their original spots. Notably, the Korawakgal are very small, suggesting they likely belonged to the doorway of a small building. The ruins are scattered over an area approximately 10 meters by 10 meters.

Ruins at Halambawewa Resettlement Village

This archaeological site is located within the Helambawewa resettlement village, specifically in the area being parcelled out as agricultural land for people displaced by the Kivu Oya reservoir project.

During the road development work in this particular area, ancient remnants including bricks, stone pillars, and pillar base stones were discovered. Following these initial finds, treasure hunters targeted one spot, digging a hole over a meter deep in search of valuables. Scattered pillar base stones are also visible in that vicinity.

Approximately 75 meters southwest of this site, a mound suspected to be a stupa was found during the ongoing development. Unfortunately, this suspected stupa mound was also subsequently dug into by treasure hunters, who created a hole about 1.5 meters deep.

This stupa was constructed using very large bricks. Interestingly, in some layers of bricks, graphite flakes can be seen mixed into the mortar. The ruins at this location are spread over an area of approximately 100 meters by 50 meters.

Halambawewa Akkarawali Aramic Ruins

At this place, three locations, namely a mound that can be presumed to be a stupa, a place with Korawakgal (balustrades), and a place like a staircase, have been dug up by treasure hunters. The hole in the place, believed to be a stupa mound, is about four meters deep.

Halambawewa Wannammaduwa Aramic Ruins

This archaeological site is situated approximately 200 meters south of the initial monastic ruin site previously discussed. Although this area has been marked for agricultural land allocation as part of the resettlement project, it remains undeveloped at present.

The ruin itself is located on a mound. The site has been targeted by treasure hunters, who have dug a deep hole in the center of this mound. They have also removed approximately 5 stone pillars and a door frame base stone from their original positions, scattering them around the area.

Due to these disturbances, only about 4 stone pillars remain in their original state. The displacement and removal of features make it difficult to definitively identify the original nature or purpose of this archaeological site. One of the stone pillars that was removed is notably large, measuring about three meters in height and approximately 25 centimeters in width.

References

1. Mahaweli Consultancy Bureau (pvt) Ltd, 2020. Environmental Impact Assessment Report For The Proposed Kivul Oya Reservoir Project. Final Report. Colombo: Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka.
2. 2014. Proposed Kivul Oya Reservoir Project. EIA FINAL Report. Colombo: Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka.

Also See

• Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
• Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity

Helambawewa Ranthispura Archaeological Site Map

Travel Directions Helambawewa Ranthispura Archaeological Site