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Mariyakkulama Buddhist Ruins in Nilaveli

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නිදන් සොරුන්ගෙන් වැනසුණු මාරියක්කුලම බෞද්ධ නටබුන් අතර ශෛලමය නිදන් මන්ජුසාවක් - Mariyakkulama Buddhist Ruins in Nilaveli

Adjacent to the scenic Mariyakulam Wewa—a reservoir that still holds its tranquil beauty despite the prevailing drought—lies a gently rising hill. On its banks stands an ancient brick-built monastery, believed to date back to the Anuradhapura period. Locals refer to this sacred site, crowned by a stupa mound that has been repeatedly excavated and looted by treasure hunters, as Natabun Wewa (meaning Ruined Tank).

According to cattle herders living in the vast forests around the tank, this once-sacred site was used as a hideout by LTTE terrorists. When I visited the location, I saw firsthand how this impressive religious site—set among rocks on a small forest-covered hill—is now rapidly deteriorating due to a lack of archaeological oversight.

Deep within the jungle, west of Velgam Vehera Rajamaha Viharaya in Trincomalee, near the edge of the tank that herders call Natabun Wewa, lies an ancient cave complex. Featuring inscriptions and finely carved drip ledges, the site also includes a stupa now gradually overtaken by the encroaching forest. Locals say the caves were used as temporary shelters during the LTTE’s reign and that the group maintained its main camp about a mile north of this location.

Closer inspection confirms the villagers’ accounts. The ancient caves appear to have been cleared, and low walls—built from stone and mud—indicate the site was repurposed as living quarters by the LTTE at one point.

Archaeological Discoveries

Records from the Department of Archaeology show that when the site was first documented, an illegal excavation by treasure hunters had already damaged the relic chamber of the ancient stupa, which lies about 100 meters north of the tank’s embankment at the hill’s base. In 2010, a group of non-Buddhists were caught by police attempting to excavate the stupa in search of treasures. (Photographs from the incident show a casket and bowl recovered from them.)

This stupa, believed to be of Anuradhapura origin, was constructed entirely of brick. The looters had first tunneled horizontally into the stupa, about 15 feet deep, reaching the relic chamber. They later dug vertically into the center of the stupa, creating a shaft approximately 30 feet deep and removing a substantial number of bricks. Archaeologists estimate the original diameter of the stupa to be about 40 feet.

Unprotected Ruins and Vandalism

Despite the site’s historical value, it remains unprotected—neither gazetted nor formally excavated. However, four caves with well-carved drip ledges and four Pre-Brahmi inscriptions, dating to the 3rd to 1st centuries BCE, provide clear evidence of its antiquity.

The cave complex, located atop a small hill, can be accessed via a ruined flight of stone steps. Near the entrance of the main cave, about 15 feet below, lie two korawakgal (balustrade stones) of different shapes and sizes that have fallen from their original positions. Although the presence of balustrades often indicates that sandakadapahana (moonstones) and muragala (guard stones) should also be nearby, none are currently visible on the surface. Most of the steps have dislodged, leaving only the two overturned balustrades, one partially broken. Disturbances in the soil between the main and adjacent caves also suggest that treasure hunters have dug here as well.

The Cave Complex

The main cave features a wide entrance about 12 feet high and 20 feet across, with prominent drip ledges and a rock inscription in Pre-Brahmi script carved above. Inside, the cave spans about 40 feet in length. A collapsed wall, built from old stones and mud, can be seen at the rear of the chamber.

To the left of the main cave are two additional caves. The first has an entrance about eight feet high and 15 feet wide, leading to a 20-foot-deep interior. Next to it, another smaller cave with drip ledges is also visible. These spaces were likely donated in ancient times for the use of meditating monks.

Remains of Ruins

Roughly 130 meters below the main cave—and slightly south of the stupa ruins—two separate groups of well-polished stone pillars, each about seven feet tall, can be found. In these clusters, four to six square-set pillars stand together, although the central areas have been dug up. According to archaeological officials, these remains indicate that ancient buildings or image houses (pilima-ge) once stood here and were likely linked to the stupa complex.

Special appreciation goes to journalist Mr. Saman Mallawarachchi, whose guidance led us to the cave complex and the surrounding ruins.

නිදන් සොරුන්ගෙන් වැනසුණු මාරියක්කුලම බෞද්ධ නටබුන් - Mariyakkulama Buddhist Ruins in Nilaveli

නිදන් සොරුන්ගෙන් වැනසුණු මාරියක්කුලම බිමේ ස්තූපය - Mariyakkulama Buddhist Ruins in Nilaveli

නිදන් සොරුන්ගෙන් වැනසුණු මාරියක්කුලම බෞද්ධ නටබුන් අතර ධාතු මන්ජුසාවක් - Mariyakkulama Buddhist Ruins in Nilaveli

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Travel Directions to Mariyakkulama Buddhist Ruins in Nilaveli

From Trincomalee to Mariyakkulama Buddhist Ruins in Nilaveli

Via : Nilaveli-Kuchchaveli
Total Distance: 55 km
Time to Travel: 1 hour 30 minutes + time for walking in the forest.
Time to Spend: Approximately 1-2 hours
Driving Directions: See on Google Maps

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