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Mailawaddawan Archaeological Ruins in Vakaneri (වාකනේරි මයිලවඩ්ඩවාන් පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)

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Mailawaddawan Archaeological Ruins in Vakaneri

The Anurādhapura-period Mailawaddawan ruins in Vakaneri (Kiran) feature a small building complex hidden within the forest west of the Vakaneri Reservoir. The site contains a row of seven standing 50-centimeter stone pillars alongside numerous scattered stone fragments.

The Mailawaddawan Archaeological Ruins are situated in the village of Vakaneri, within the Grama Niladhari Division of Vakaneri 210, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Korale Pattu South (Kiran).

Access Route

Travel from Oddamawadi town towards Kavaththamunu, passing through Mukargal along the way. Turn onto the Vakaneri–Kulaththamadu Road and continue until reaching the Madu Oya. After crossing the river, proceed towards the Mailawaddawan forest area. As there is no formal road network leading to the site, access requires traveling through the forest with the assistance of someone familiar with the local paths.

Historical Background

The stone pillars and associated remains found at this site display architectural characteristics typical of the Anuradhapura period, indicating that the structures once standing here were constructed during that era.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The Mailawaddawan site is located within a forested area on the western side of the Vakaneri Reservoir. The archaeological remains represent a relatively small building complex.

The site contains seven stone pillars, each approximately 50 centimeters (1.6 feet) in height, which remain aligned in a row in their original positions. In addition to the standing pillars, numerous stone fragments are scattered throughout the site.

Although modest in scale, the surviving remains clearly indicate the presence of an Anuradhapura-period building complex within the Mailawaddawan forest, adding to the evidence of ancient settlement and religious activity in the region.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7°55’17.9″N
East Longitude: 81°25’40.6″ 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 Mailawaddawan Archaeological Ruins in Vakaneri

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Traveling to the Mailawaddawan Archaeological Ruins in Vakaneri

Route from Batticaloa to Mailawaddawan Archaeological Ruins in Vakaneri

Through: Kiran – Thirukkondaiadimadu
Distance: 45 km
Travel time: 1.30 hour
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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Mailawaddawan Archaeological Ruins in Vakaneri (වාකනේරි මයිලවඩ්ඩවාන් පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)
The Anurādhapura-period Mailawaddawan ruins in Vakaneri (Kiran) feature a small building complex hidden within the forest west of the Vakaneri Reservoir. The site contains a row of seven standing 50-centimeter stone pillars alongside numerous scattered stone fragments. […]
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