Heritage

Omadiyamadu Archaeological Site (ඕමඩියාමඩු පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය)

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The Anurādhapura-period Ōmaḍiyāmadu Archaeological Site in Vakarai sits on a rocky terrace. Heavily destroyed during local village resettlement activities, its original structures are unidentifiable, leaving only scattered stone pillars, brick fragments, and rubble collapsed down the rock slope.

The site known as the Ōmaḍiyāmadu Archaeological Site is located in the village of Ōmaḍiyāmadu, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Punanai East No. 211-B, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu North (Vakarai).

Access Route

Travelling approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) from Welikanda town along the A11 road towards Batticaloa, turn onto the Ridiṭhenna road leading to the village of Ōmaḍiyāmadu. Passing through this small village, continue along the road leading towards Āṇḍankulam village. The rocky plateau containing the archaeological remains is situated on the right-hand side of the road.

Historical Background

Based on the limited ancient remains found at the site, including stone pillars associated with a stupa or another structure, these ruins appear to belong to the early Anurādhapura period.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The archaeological remains are situated on a rocky terrace located at the edge of the Ōmaḍiyāmadu village area, which was developed following resettlement activities. At present, there are insufficient surviving remains of a stupa or other structures to clearly determine the original nature of the construction.

Due to extensive destruction at the site, fragments of bricks and rubble associated with the ancient structures are now scattered throughout the area. Bricks that once formed part of the foundation have collapsed down the side of the rock slope.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 8°01’27.1″ N
East Longitude: 81°20’14.9″ 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 Omadiyamadu Archaeological Site

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Traveling Directions to Omadiyamadu Archaeological Site

Route from Batticaloa to Omadiyamadu Archaeological Site

Through: Chenkaladi – Valaichchenai
Distance: 54 km
Travel time: 1.15 hours
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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Omadiyamadu Archaeological Site (ඕමඩියාමඩු පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය)
The Anurādhapura-period Ōmaḍiyāmadu Archaeological Site in Vakarai sits on a rocky terrace. Heavily destroyed during local village resettlement activities, its original structures are unidentifiable, leaving only scattered stone pillars, brick fragments, and rubble collapsed down the rock slope. […]
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