Heritage

Kathiraveli Cemetery Stone Pillars (කදිරවේලි සුසාන භූමියේ ගල් කණු)

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Located in Kallarippu, the Kathiraveli Cemetery Pillars feature an early Anuradhapura-era guard stone and a single standing pillar. Once part of an eight-pillared shrine or institution, the site’s simple architectural style predates later elaborate carvings. Despite modern Tamil inscriptions and significant structural loss, it remains a vital historical landmark in an area where Buddhism has been wiped out.

These ruined stone artifacts are located within the Kathiraveli Thoppuduvil burial ground in the village of Kallarippu. This site preserves the remains of a structure dating to the early Anuradhapura Period. Although much of the original structure has been lost due to natural deterioration and human activity, the surviving stone elements provide clear evidence of the area’s ancient administrative or religious significance.

Location and Access

The site lies within the Kathiraveli 213 Grama Niladhari Division in the Vakarai area, under the Korala Pattu North Divisional Secretariat.

From Kathiraveli, travel towards Verugal. Turn onto a road on the right-hand side, proceed a short distance, then turn left and continue for approximately 500 m (1,600 ft) to reach the burial ground.

Archaeological Evidence

A single stone pillar and a guard stone remain in their original installed positions. The guard stone displays a simple and early artistic style, lacking the elaborate carvings—such as guardian figures or serpent motifs—seen in later periods. This simplicity is characteristic of early architectural phases.

In recent times, modern inscriptions in Tamil have been added to the front of the guard stone and to one side of the remaining pillar. These additions are not part of the original historical fabric of the site.

Local accounts indicate that the original structure consisted of eight stone pillars. Over time, seven of these have been removed or destroyed, leaving only one.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

Latitude: 8° 13′ 48.5″ N
Longitude: 81° 23′ 34.7″ E

References

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

Also See

Map of the Thamarakulama Wewa Drip-Ledge Cave

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Travelling Directions to Thamarakulama Wewa Drip-Ledge Cave

Route from Trincomalee to Thamarakulama Wewa Drip-Ledge Cave

Through : Kinniya – Mutur – Serunuwara – Verugal
Distance : 62.5 km
Travel time : 1.30 hours
Driving directions : see on google maps

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