Kurullangala Prehistoric Cave Art Site at Karandagolla (ප්‍රාග් ඓතිහාසික කුරුල්ලන්ගල ලෙන් චිත්‍ර)

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Unusual Bird Paintings on the wall at Kurullangala
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Kurullangala’s rocky summit features extraordinary cave art unlike any other in Sri Lanka. Dating back potentially 5,000 years, these massive line drawings of birds and human figures in red pigment remain an archaeological mystery. Accessible only via a demanding six-hour vertical trek, it offers adventurers a rare, prehistoric glimpse.

Kurullangala is a rocky outcrop situated in the Karandagolla area within the Ella Divisional Secretariat. At its seemingly inaccessible summit stands an extraordinary wall of cave art, executed in a style unlike anything else documented in Sri Lanka. The artworks consist of finely proportioned line drawings depicting massive birds, peacocks, human figures, and several other unidentifiable forms. Although no comprehensive archaeological study has yet been conducted, some scholars suggest that these drawings may date back more than 5,000 years.

Description of the Rock Paintings

The drawings extend across a wide section of the rock face, with some positioned so high that they appear almost unreachable. Over the course of thousands of years, exposure to wind, rain, and other natural elements has caused much of the artwork to fade. In several areas, the outer surface layer of the rock—together with the drawings—seems to have flaked away, further ruining the original compositions.

Approximately 100 meters (about 328 feet) above the principal artwork lies another rock face known as Pettigala. Here, two additional bird drawings can be found. These images are also rendered using red pigment and are regarded as virtually impossible to access. In a few locations, the artist’s handprint is still visible on the rock surface, offering an intimate trace of the individual who created the artwork.

Discovery of the Site

The caves were discovered roughly three decades ago by a local villager named Meththananda. He encountered the site while searching for beehives in the surrounding forest. Since then, he has remained the primary guide for those attempting the demanding journey to the location.

Modern Documentation and Exploration

In 2013, the television channel Derana broadcast a video segment featuring the site, which first brought it to broader public attention. Although the precise location was not disclosed in the broadcast, later that same year Dr. Ashan Geeganage and a team successfully located the site and documented it through photographs and written records.

Subsequently, in 2015, another expedition led by Sri Abeywickrama produced a 23-part video documentary. This series vividly captured the considerable physical difficulties involved in reaching the remote site.

The Journey to the Summit

The trek to the location generally requires approximately five to six hours and includes several demanding stretches, some involving near-vertical climbs. Visitors are strongly advised to carry sufficient water, food, and a basic first-aid kit. Engaging a local guide—most commonly Meththananda himself—is essential, as the surrounding terrain is dense, rugged, and easy to lose one’s way in.

An Unanswered Mystery

The reason why such intricate artwork was created in a remote and extremely inaccessible location remains unknown. It raises intriguing questions: could this site have served as a refuge for ancient people seeking concealment? What purpose did these high-altitude paintings serve, particularly those placed beyond the normal reach of a human hand? These questions continue to linger, and it is possible that their answers may never be fully known.

Kurullangala where the paintings are found

A Granite Seat on the way to Kurullangala

On the way to Kurullangala - need to climb along this rock slope

On the way to Kurullangala - along the edge

The slope - Cave paintings on the wall at Kurullangala

Unusual Bird Painitings on the wall at Kurullangala

Cave paintings on the wall at Kurullangala - pea foul

Cave paintings on the wall at Kurullangala - a horned creature ?

Cave paintings on the wall at Kurullangala - Wings

Cave paintings on the wall at Kurullangala - hand prints

Cave paintings on the wall at Kurullangala

Peacocks - Cave paintings on the wall at Kurullangala

Unusual cave Painitings on the wall at Kurulangala - hand prints

A foot print - Cave paintings on the wall at Kurullangala

A human drawing - Cave paintings on the wall at Kurullangala

Wings - Cave paintings on the wall at Kurullangala

Also See

Derana discovers archaeological site with intricate cave drawings (video)
Mysterious cave paintings at Ella, Kurulangala – report by Dr Ashan Geeganage
Kurullangala Cave Paintings, Karandagolla – 2015 (video documentary by Sri Abeywickrama)

Map of Kurullangala Prehistoric Cave Art Site at Karandagolla

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Travel Directions to Kurullangala Prehistoric Cave Art Site at Karandagolla

Route from Bandarawela to Kurullangala Prehistoric Cave Art Site at Karandagolla

Distance :26 km
Travel time : 45 minutes
Driving directions : see on Google map

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