Kuweni Palace at Wilpattu | AmazingLanka.com

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Stone pillars of the Kuveni Maligawa in the heart of the Wilpattu jungle

Step into the ancient legends of Sri Lanka where myth meets history. Deep within Wilpattu’s wilderness lie mysterious ruins believed to be Queen Kuweni’s palace—remnants of a forgotten past that whisper tales of love, betrayal, and the island’s earliest beginnings.

Kuweni was a queen of the Yaksha tribe—one of the three indigenous tribes who inhabited Sri Lanka over 3,000 years ago. These tribes were the Yakshas (demon tribe), Nagas (serpent tribe), and Devas. Around 543 BCE, a prince named Vijaya, along with 700 of his followers, was exiled from the Kingdom of Lalata in India and arrived on the shores of Sri Lanka at a place later known as Thambapanni. This event coincided with the day of the Buddha’s parinirvana in Kusinara, India.

According to the chronicles, Kuweni was spinning cotton beneath a tree when Vijaya and his men landed in Thambapanni. Initially, she captured all 700 of Vijaya’s companions but later took on the beautiful form of a sixteen-year-old maiden and married Vijaya. It is believed that the couple first settled near the area where they landed.

The Ruins of Kuweni Maligaya

Today, Wilpattu National Park is home to numerous ancient ruins scattered across its vast expanse. Near the village of Kali lies a group of stone remains that local legend identifies as Kuweni Maligaya—the palace of Queen Kuweni. However, based on their architectural characteristics and layout, these ruins are more likely to have been part of an ancient Buddhist monastery.

At the site, seventeen stone pillars—some still standing and others toppled—are partially buried under thick vegetation. Surrounding the structure identified as Kuweni Maligaya are the ruins of five additional buildings and a stupa mound, confirming that the remains belonged to a monastic complex.

The original number of floors of Kuweni Maligaya cannot be determined with certainty. However, judging by the size of the stone pillars on the ground level, it is assumed that the building once had more than two floors. No clear evidence of doorways or entrances has been found within the area marked by the stone pillars. The ground is covered by a soil layer about 50 centimeters (1.6 feet) deep, and further excavation is likely to reveal significant archaeological information.

Adjacent to this main structure stands a medium-sized ruined dagoba (stupa) with a diameter of approximately 30 meters (98 feet) and a height of about 8 meters (26 feet).

Significant Archaeological Sites Inside the Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park, while celebrated for its wildlife, remains one of the least archaeologically explored regions in Sri Lanka. Historical interest has largely focused on a few ancient inscriptions and proto-historic sites, leaving much of its rich heritage still shrouded in mystery. Yet, the park and its surroundings are steeped in folklore, early legends, and connections to foundational episodes of Sri Lanka’s past.

One of the most significant legends linked to the park is that of Tammanna Nuwara, widely believed to be the landing site of Prince Vijaya, the first recorded king of Sri Lanka. Around 500 BCE, Vijaya and his 700 followers are said to have disembarked near Kudiremalai Point, close to the mouth of the Moderagam Ara. According to tradition, they first rested their hands on the soil, which left their palms stained red. This tale finds geological support in the stretch of reddish latosols—iron-rich soils—running parallel to Sri Lanka’s western coastal belt. These soils are part of ancient marine terraces, dating back millions of years to when the landmass emerged from beneath the sea.

Local folklore also links Wilpattu to the Yaksha Princess Kuveni, whom Vijaya married upon his arrival. The ruins of Kuveni’s mythical palace are said to lie at Kali Vila, while traces of her presence are believed to linger around the Kokmote Bungalow.

Another important cultural site is Galbendi Neeravia, located northeast of Maradanmaduwa Tank. It is traditionally believed to have been the dwelling of Prince Saliya, son of King Dutugemunu, and his beloved Asokamala, a woman of a lower caste. Their story, dating back around 2,000 years, is remembered as a tale of love and social defiance.

Some of the sites inside Wilpattu National Park with significant archaeological evidence are listed below;

Galbendi Neeravia Ruins : ruins of buildings spread over 10 acres
Galge Viharaya Archaeological Ruins : Caves with brick walls, granite ruins
Hunuvila Gama Ruins : Stupas, shrine house
Kimbula Ketu Gala Ruins : numerous fragments of bricks, roof tiles, and dressed stone blocks—likely remnants of a long-lost monastery
Maha Andaragollewa Wewa Archaeological Ruins : foundation stone, a square-shaped stone block, and scattered brick fragments
Nai Pena Guhava Ruins : Two caves and a Stupa, a pond
Ochchappu Kallu Archaeological Ruins : Caves, Stupa, Image houses, and Inscriptions
Palace of Kuweni Archaeological Ruins : Ruin pillars, Stupa
Pomparippu ancient Burial Site
Tammannawala Archaeological Ruins : Ruins of Stupa, Pillars, Foundation stones, Bricks, and Pond
Veli Vehera Archaeological Site
Weeransole Archaeological Ruins : Three Buddha statues, three image houses

References

Dissanayake, S. B. (2024). 2016 වර්ෂය සඳහා පුරාවිද්‍යා අධ්‍යක්‍ෂක ජනරාල්ගේ පාලන වාර්තාව. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.
Goonatilake, W. L. D. P. T. S. de A. (2006). National Archaeological Symposium 2006. In Archaeologically important sites in Vilpattu National Park: present status and new findings (Vol. 1, pp. 57–80). Colombo.
IUCN Sri Lanka. (2006). Resource Inventory of Wilpattu National Park: Final Report. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Sri Lanka.

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