Iratperiyakulam Survey Tower Built by the British (ඊරට්පෙරියකුලම මිනින්දෝරු කුළුණ)

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Remains of Samalankulam Survey Tower near the Samalankulam Wewa Reservoir

Hidden deep within the jungle beside the Iratperiyakulam Reservoir, a British-built survey tower rises atop an ancient monastic hill. Cut grooves, caves with drip ledges, and lost inscriptions reveal a forgotten Buddhist complex waiting to be rediscovered amid the wilderness.

During the British colonial period, many regions under their administration saw the development of notable infrastructure. Among these were the Survey Towers—also called Triangulation or Trigonometrical Stations—which played a vital role in land mapping and surveying. These tall structures served as key observation points for surveyors and today stand as historical landmarks spread all over the country.

Iratperiyakulam is a small town located between Medawachchiya and Vavuniya along the A9 road, about 6 kilometers before reaching the Vavuniya town center. Just 300 meters to the left of the A9 sits one of the Vavuniya District’s largest and most scenic reservoirs, built by the ancient Sinhalese kings.

Iratperiyakulam Reservoir

Although the Iratperiyakulam Reservoir lies close to the main road, it remains surrounded by dense jungle. Its ancient embankment extends from south to north, and the northern end meets a rocky hill that is still largely untouched. At the summit of this hill stands the Iratperiyakulam Survey Tower, constructed during the British period.

Survey Tower

This tower differs from many others because it is relatively short and built in only two levels, most likely because it already occupies a naturally elevated position above the surrounding landscape. The structure is made of large granite blocks, several of which have now collapsed. The base forms a cuboid measuring roughly 2.4 meters by 2.4 meters (8 ft by 8 ft) and stands about 1.8 meters (6 ft) high, with an arched passage running east to west through it. The upper cuboid is slightly smaller in area but somewhat taller than the lower level.

Mr. Bell mentions this structure in his 1905 Archaeological Survey Report, indicating that the survey tower must have been built before 1905.

Ancient Monastic Complex

Although the rocky hill is now thickly forested, evidence shows that it once supported an ancient monastic complex. Parker notes that at the base of the survey tower on the hilltop there are cut grooves suggesting the presence of buildings. Just below, on the western side, the rock forms a rough cave with a carved drip ledge. Parker also believed that this monastic site was the Tihadiya Viharaya, referenced in a now-lost inscription that once stood at the edge of the reservoir embankment.

Remains of Iratperiyakulam Survey Tower near the Iratperiyakulam Wewa Reservoir

References

Bell, H., (1909). Archaeological Survey of Ceylon – North Central, Central, and Northern Provinces Annual Report 1905. Colombo: Archaeological Department of Ceylon.

Also See

Historic Survey Towers of Sri Lanka

Map of Iratperiyakulam Survey Tower

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Traveling Directions to Iratperiyakulam Survey Tower

From Anuradhapura to Iratperiyakulam Survey Tower

Via : A9
Total distance : 48 km
Duration : 1 hours
Time to spend : About 30-60 minutes
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