Paluvilandawa Tank Weeransole Ruins in Wilpattu

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The Samadhi Statue recovered from Weeransole Ruins now placed at the park Entrance

Approximately 150 meters beyond Percy Bandi Wewa—located about 4 kilometers from the Wilpattu National Park entrance along the main internal road—you’ll find the road leading to the Paluvilandawa Tank (also known as Palu-vilankaduwa). This ancient tank is currently breached and no longer retains water.

Just before reaching the tank, one can observe the Weeransole Ruins, the remains of an ancient Buddhist monastery nestled nearby.

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.” (Goonatilake, 2006)

Additionally, in the 1980s, the army discovered a remarkably well-preserved Samadhi statue at this site—considered nearly as exquisite as the renowned Samadhi Statue at Mahamevna Uyana in Anuradhapura. This statue was later relocated to the entrance of Wilpattu National Park, where it remains on display today.

As this site lies within the boundaries of the national park, where disembarking from vehicles is generally prohibited, special permission is required to explore it on foot.

Significant Archaeological Sites Inside the Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park, while celebrated for its wildlife, remains one of the least archaeologically explored regions in Sri Lanka. Historical interest has largely focused on a few ancient inscriptions and proto-historic sites, leaving much of its rich heritage still shrouded in mystery. Yet, the park and its surroundings are steeped in folklore, early legends, and connections to foundational episodes of Sri Lanka’s past.

One of the most significant legends linked to the park is that of Tammanna Nuwara, widely believed to be the landing site of Prince Vijaya, the first recorded king of Sri Lanka. Around 500 BCE, Vijaya and his 700 followers are said to have disembarked near Kudiremalai Point, close to the mouth of the Moderagam Ara. According to tradition, they first rested their hands on the soil, which left their palms stained red. This tale finds geological support in the stretch of reddish latosols—iron-rich soils—running parallel to Sri Lanka’s western coastal belt. These soils are part of ancient marine terraces, dating back millions of years to when the landmass emerged from beneath the sea.

Local folklore also links Wilpattu to the Yaksha Princess Kuveni, whom Vijaya married upon his arrival. The ruins of Kuveni’s mythical palace are said to lie at Kali Vila, while traces of her presence are believed to linger around the Kokmote Bungalow.

Another important cultural site is Galbendi Neeravia, located northeast of Maradanmaduwa Tank. It is traditionally believed to have been the dwelling of Prince Saliya, son of King Dutugemunu, and his beloved Asokamala, a woman of a lower caste. Their story, dating back around 2,000 years, is remembered as a tale of love and social defiance.

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

Galbendi Neeravia Ruins : ruins of buildings spread over 10 acres
Galge Viharaya Archaeological Ruins : Caves with brick walls, granite ruins
Hunuvila Gama Ruins : Stupas, shrine house
Kimbula Ketu Gala Ruins : numerous fragments of bricks, roof tiles, and dressed stone blocks—likely remnants of a long-lost monastery
Maha Andaragollewa Wewa Archaeological Ruins : foundation stone, a square-shaped stone block, and scattered brick fragments
Nai Pena Guhava Ruins : Two caves and a Stupa, a pond
Ochchappu Kallu Archaeological Ruins : Caves, Stupa, Image houses, and Inscriptions
Palace of Kuweni Archaeological Ruins : Ruin pillars, Stupa
Pomparippu ancient Burial Site
Tammannawala Archaeological Ruins : Ruins of Stupa, Pillars, Foundation stones, Bricks, and Pond
Veli Vehera Archaeological Site
Weeransole Archaeological Ruins : Three Buddha statues, three image houses

A Siripathul rock slab at Weeransole Ruins

A broken Buddha Statue in Samadhi Posture at Weeransole Ruins

References

IUCN Sri Lanka. (2006). Resource Inventory of Wilpattu National Park: Final Report. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Sri Lanka.
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.

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