Heritage

Kaverikulama Wewa Archaeological Site (කාවේරිකුළම වැව අසල පුරාවිද්‍යා ස්ථානය)

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Archaeological ruins near the Kaverikulama Wewa

The Kaverikulama ruins in Vakarai are a historic Anuradhapura-era site featuring a grid of twelve pillars. Though the central section is damaged by treasure hunters and forest encroachment, eleven pillars remain in situ, revealing a three-by-four layout. This organized stone structure suggests a formal religious building served the ancient reservoir settlement.

The ruins at Kaverikulama, situated in Uriyankaddu 213 within Vakarai, represent a structural complex dating to the Anuradhapura Era. The site exhibits a clearly planned architectural layout defined by a grid of twelve pillars arranged in three rows of four.

Architectural Features and Significance

Despite its remote forest setting, the remains provide valuable insight into the structural planning practices of the period. The stone-working techniques closely correspond with the Anuradhapura tradition, indicating that the building most likely functioned as a religious structure as part of the ancient settlement associated with the Kaverikulama reservoir.

State of Preservation

Although the central portion of the building has been destroyed as a result of natural forest encroachment and activities of treasure hunters, the survival of eleven stone pillars preserves much of the original layout. This remaining arrangement allows the building’s footprint to be clearly identified and confirms the initial design of twelve supports for a permanent roof structure.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

Latitude: 8°06′04.3″ N
Longitude: 81°22′32.8″ E

References

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

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Map of the Kaverikulama Wewa Archaeological Site

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Traveling Directions to Kaverikulama Wewa Archaeological Site

Route from Trincomalee to Kaverikulama Wewa Archaeological Site

Through: Kinniya – Mutur – Serunuwara – Verugal
Distance: 132 km
Travel time: 2.45 hours
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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