Paluvilandawa Tank Weeransole Ruins in Wilpattu (විල්පත්තුවේ පාලුවිලන්දාව නටබුන්)

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The road to Paluvilandawa Tank (Palu-vilankaduwa) lies about 150 meters passing the Percy Bandi Wewa which lies on the main internal route from the Wilpattu National Park entrance after 4 kilometers. The tank itself is breached and holds no water.

The ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery can be found just before reaching this tank. These ruins are named Weeransole Ruins.

IUCN carried out an archaeological survey in Wilpattu National Park in the early 2000s and reports

“A total of 68 archaeologically important sites were recorded, four of which Miocene fossil sites. Twelve sites belonging to the prehistoric periods (Paleolithic and Mesolithic) were also surveyed. Several sites represent evidence of both pre-historic and historic periods. Forty-two (Black & Redware pottery sites, Burials, settlements, and monasteries) were identified as a combination of proto-historic and historical sites.

A major finding was the Weeransole ruins. This site, located near the Palu-vilankaduwa tank has not been recorded by previous research and consists of three destroyed image houses and Buddha statues including two seated (Samadhi) and one standing statue. One of the destroyed Samadhi Buddha statues seated under the hood of a cobra, is of rare type. This is the fourth known Buddha statue belonging to this posture found in Sri Lanka.

In addition, a well-preserved Samadhi Statue almost exquisite as the Samadhi Statue at the Mahamevna Uyana in Anuradhapura was discovered at this site in the 1980s by the army and was brought to the Wilpattu Park entrance which can be seen even today.

Since it is prohibited to get off the vehicles within the National Park, you will need special permission to explore this site.

Significant Archaeological Sites Inside the Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu is one of the least archaeologically explored areas where attention has only been paid to ancient inscriptions and proto-historic sites. Much legend and history is associated with the park and its immediate surroundings.

Tammanna Nuwara, the legendary landing site of King Vijaya around 500 BCE, is believed to be situated between Kudiremalai Point and the mouth of Moderagam Ara. It’s recounted that Vijaya and his companions first set foot on this land, resting their hands upon the earth, thus staining their palms with a distinctive red hue. Modern soil analyses reveal a stretch of reddish latosols running parallel to the western coastal belt, evidence of geological formations dating back millions of years when these lands emerged from beneath the sea. According to folklore, Vijaya wedded Kuveni, the Yaksha Princess, whose palace now lies in ruins at Kali Vila, with traces of her presence said to be found near the Kokmotai bungalow. Additionally, Galbendi Neeravia, positioned northeast of Maradanmaduwa tank, is believed to have been the abode of Prince Saliya and his consort Asokamala, nearly two millennia ago, despite her low-caste status.

Some of the sites inside Wilpattu National Park with significant archaeological evidence are listed below;

  1. Tammannawala : Ruins of Stupa, Pillars, Foundation stones, bricks and Pond
  2. Ochchappu Kallu: Caves, Stupa, shrine houses and inscription
  3. Palace of Kuweni : Ruin pillars, Stupa
  4. Galbendi Neeravia
  5. Tammannawala : Ruins of Stupa, Pillars, Foundation stones, bricks, Pond
  6. Weeransole : Three Buddha statues, three image houses
  7. Hunuvila Gama : Stupas, shrine house
  8. Nai Pena Guhava : Two caves and a Stupa, a pond
  9. Galge Viharaya : Caves with brick walls, granite ruins
  10. Veli Vehera Archaeology Site
  11. Pomparippu ancient burial site
  12. Nai Pena Guhava : Two caves and Stupa, a pond

References

  • Goonatilake, W. L. D. P. T. S. de A. (2006). National Archaeological Symposium 2006. In Archaeologically important sites in Vilpattu National Park: present status and new findings (Vol. 1, pp. 57–80). Colombo.

Also See

Map of Paluvilandawa Tank Weeransole Ruins in Wilpattu

Please click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map (ගූගල් සිතියම් පහලින්)
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The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.

Travel Directions to Paluvilandawa Tank Weeransole Ruins in Wilpattu (upto Wilpattu National Park Entrance)

Route from Colombo to Paluvilandawa Tank Weeransole Ruins in Wilpattu (up to Wilpattu National Park Entrance)
Through : Negombo – Puttlam
Distance :200 km
Travel time : 4 hours.
Driving directions : see on google map

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