Kunjankalkulama Wewa Reservoir (කුංජන්කල්කුළම වැව)

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The Kunjankalkulama Wewa is a 125-hectare ancient reservoir in Vakarai dating to the Early Anuradhapura Period. It served as the hydraulic heart of a vast religious and residential landscape, supplying water to nearby monastic complexes and early agrarian settlements.

The Kunjankalkulama Wewa Reservoir, located in Kayankerni within the Madurankernikulam 211-B Grama Niladhari Division of Koralei Pattu North (Vakare) Divisional Secretariet, is a medium-sized ancient reservoir associated with early settlement activity of the Anuradhapura Era. Archaeological remains discovered in the surrounding area indicate that the reservoir was constructed in connection with an ancient settlement and monastic landscape dating to the early Anuradhapura period.

Access Route

The reservoir can be reached by traveling approximately 6 km (3.7 miles) along the Madurankulama road, which begins directly opposite the Navy camp located near the 52 km (32.3 miles) milestone on the Vakarai–Batticaloa (A15) road. The reservoir is situated near a three-way junction.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

On the western side of the reservoir reservation area stands a rocky hill containing the Kunjankalkulama Buddhist monastic ruins. Water is supplied to the reservoir through channels flowing from the surrounding mountainous terrain.

The reservoir embankment extends in a northwest to southeast direction and is relatively short in length. At its southeastern end, the embankment joins a flat rock surface where rows of square-cut holes can still be observed on a small rock plateau.

The reservoir covers an area of approximately 125 hectares (309 acres). Since several archaeological sites displaying Anuradhapura period architectural characteristics have been identified in the surrounding region, it is likely that the reservoir was constructed during the same period to support the water requirements of these early settlements.

According to information provided by a local vedda leader familiar with the area, there had once been structures built using stone slabs near the rock cliff situated to the southeast of the reservoir. However, these structures are said to have been destroyed in recent times.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 8°01’25.0″N
East Longitude: 81°24’14.9″E

Ruins at the Kunjankalkulama Wewa Reservoir

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 Kunjankalkulama Wewa Reservoir

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Travelling Directions to Kunjankalkulama Wewa Reservoir

Route from Trincomalee to Kunjankalkulama Wewa Reservoir

Through: Kinniya – Mutur – Serunuwara – Verugal
Distance: 92 km
Travel time: 2 hours
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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