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Mavil Anga Nikkanawewa Reserve Archaeological Ruins (මාවිල් අංග නික්කාන වැව රක්ෂිතය පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)

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Nikkanawewa Reserve Archaeological Ruins

The Nikkanawewa ruins in Vakarai mark an Anuradhapura-era monastic complex. Situated on a rocky outcrop, the site preserves stone pillar bases, ancient bricks, a urinal stone fragment, and terrace remains, confirming its past as a secluded Buddhist forest monastery.

This site, located within the Nikkanawewa Reserve in the Mavil Anga area, had been a Buddhist monastic complex dating to the Anuradhapura Period. Although heavily damaged, the surviving structural remains and artifacts confirm its historical value as a religious center in the eastern Vakarai region.

Location and Access

The site lies in the village of Mavil Anga, within the Kadiraveli 213 Grama Niladhari Division, under the Korala Pattu North (Vakarai) Divisional Secretariat.

Access begins from Kadiraveli, traveling towards the Verugal Bridge. Turn left onto Mavil Anga Road and proceed for approximately 4.8 km (3 miles) to reach the 18th Army Sub-Detachment Camp. From there, turn onto Nikkanawewa Road and continue for about 1.6 km (1 mile) until reaching the reservoir. From the reservoir, follow the sub-road heading west for approximately 1 km (0.62 miles), where the site is located on the right-hand side.

Archaeological Features and Evidence

The site is centered around a small rocky outcrop upon which a complex of structures once stood.

At the summit, traces of a building constructed using both brick and granite can be observed. Although largely destroyed, fragments of ancient bricks and stone slabs remain scattered across the surface.

Two additional ruined structures are located to the south and south-west of the main rock. Archaeological evidence in these areas includes fragments of ancient bricks and roofing tiles, as well as part of a urinal stone.

Several mortise holes are carved into the rock at various points, indicating the former placement of wooden or stone pillars. Around 50 m (164 ft) from the rock, the remains of a stone-built terrace can be identified. To the northeast of the main structure, two stone pillar bases have been discovered.

Historical Interpretation

Based on the presence of the terrace, stone pillar bases, and characteristic masonry techniques, archaeologists have identified this site as a Buddhist monastic complex established during the Anuradhapura Period.

Geographical Coordinates

The precise location of the site is as follows:

Latitude: 8° 13′ 44.6″ N
Longitude: 81° 20′ 29.4″ E

Mavil Anga Nikkanawewa Reserve Archaeological Ruins

References

Exploration and Documentation Division (Ed.). (2017). පුරාවිද්යා ස්ථාන හඳුනා ගැනීමේ ගවේෂණ වාර්තාව, මඩකලපුව දිස්ත්රික්කය. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.

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