Heritage

Kilagapallam Archaeological Ruins in Kiran (කිරාන් කිලගපල්ලම් පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)

The Anurādhapura-period Kilagapallam ruins in Kiran, Batticaloa are situated inside an expansive paddy field reached via a tractor path. The site features two short, standing granite pillars (42 cm and 10 cm high) spaced 2.8 meters apart, with agricultural expansion likely erasing other trace artifacts. A single large granite slab (155 × 55 cm) and scattered pillar fragments lie in a forested patch 250 meters southwest.

The archaeological ruins are located in the village of Kilagapallam, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Koraveli (209 B), in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu South (Kiran), in the Batticaloa District.

Access Route

Travel approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from Kiran Junction and turn left at Pulipanjakal Junction towards Toppigala. Continue for about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) to reach the village of Kilagapallam. The ruins are situated in the middle of an expansive paddy field and can be reached via a tractor path after crossing a stream.

Historical Background

These ruins have been identified as the remains of ancient structures dating to the Anuradhapura period.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

Two short granite pillars remain standing at this location. One pillar measures 42 centimeters (16.5 in) in height, while the other stands only 10 centimeters (3.9 in) high. The two pillars are positioned approximately 2.8 meters (9.2 ft) apart.

Apart from these pillars, no additional archaeological artifacts have been identified at the site. It is possible that the expansion of the surrounding paddy fields has destroyed any other remains that may once have existed here.

Approximately 250 meters (820 ft) southwest of this location, a single granite slab can be found within a forested patch. The slab measures 155 × 55 centimeters (61 × 22 in). Fragments of granite pillars are scattered nearby and may have belonged to the same structure of the slab.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7°49’19.2″N
East Longitude: 81°29’06.3″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 Kilagapallam Archaeological Ruins in Kiran

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Show Location on Google Maps

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

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Traveling to the Kilagapallam Archaeological Ruins in Kiran

Route from Batticaloa to Kilagapallam Archaeological Ruins in Kiran

Through: Kiran
Distance: 38 km
Travel time: 1 hour
Driving directions: see on Google Maps

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Kilagapallam Archaeological Ruins in Kiran (කිරාන් කිලගපල්ලම් පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)
The Anurādhapura-period Kilagapallam ruins in Batticaloa lie inside a paddy field. The site features two short, standing granite pillars (42 cm and 10 cm high). A large granite slab and scattered pillar fragments also sit in a nearby forest patch. […]
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Mahakumbukgollewa is an ancient village between Medawachchiya and Vavuniya in the Anuradhapura district. The Sri Dalada Viharaya at Mahakumbukgollewa hides a ancient Tampita Viharaya from the Kandyan Era. […]
Pasikudah and Kalkudah Beaches (පාසිකුඩා හා කල්කුඩා වෙරළ තීරු)
When it comes to great beaches, you will be spoiled for choice along the east coast of Sri Lanka. Pasikudah and Kalkudah are two great beach stretches just 30 kilometers away from Batticaloa. […]