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Meeyankulam Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Muruthtthanai (මීයන්කුලම් බෞද්ධ පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)

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Meeyankulam Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Muruthtthanai

The Anurādhapura-period Meeyankulam ruins in Kiran, Batticaloa, are located within a forest near the railway line. The site features an ancient building complex where 10 stone pillars remain standing in their original layout, though four have been displaced by treasure hunters. Roofing tiles and ancient brick fragments are found scattered across the disturbed ground.

Meeyankulam Buddhist Archaeological Ruins is located in the village of Meeyankulam, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Vakaneri 210, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu South (Kiran) of Batticaloa District.

Access Route

Travel approximately 8 km (5 miles) from Oddamavadi town along the A11 Road towards Welikanda. Turn right onto Meeyankulam Road. After passing the 308/5 railway post in the direction of Welikanda, continue for about 40 meters (131 feet). The archaeological site is situated within the adjacent forest.

Historical Background

The architectural characteristics of the ruins clearly indicate that the site dates to the Anuradhapura period. Ancient bricks, pottery fragments, and broken stone pillars found at the location are consistent with the construction techniques and material culture of that era.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The archaeological remains are located within a forested area close to the railway line. Approximately 10 stone pillars remain standing in their original positions, allowing the layout of the ancient building to be clearly identified.

The central portion of the structure has been extensively disturbed by unauthorized excavations carried out by treasure hunters. As a result, four of the stone pillars have been displaced from their original positions. Fragments of roofing tiles and ancient bricks are scattered across the surrounding ground.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7°56’40.0″N
East Longitude: 81°27’54.8″E

References

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

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Map of the Meeyankulam Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Muruthtthanai

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Traveling to the Meeyankulam Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Muruthtthanai

Route from Batticaloa to Meeyankulam Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Muruthtthanai

Through: Oddamavadi
Distance: 41 km
Travel time: 1.15 hours
Driving directions: see on Google Maps

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