Heritage

Panichchankerni Archaeological Ruins (පනිච්චන්කේණි පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)

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Stone Chatra (disk) at Panichchankerni Archaeological Site

The Panichchankerni ruins in Kovilkudiuruppu are an Anuradhapura-era settlement site featuring two standing stone pillars with square socket holes. Notably, a large circular stone fragment—resembling a Chatra (stupa umbrella)—and ancient roof tiles suggest the presence of formal religious architecture.

The Panichchankerni Archaeological Ruins, located in Kovilkudiuruppu within the Panichchankerni 211-C Grama Niladhari Division of Korale Pattu North (Vakarai), preserve the remains of ancient constructions dating to the Anuradhapura Era. The site contains fragmentary architectural evidence, including stone pillars and ancient building materials, indicating the former existence of a developed settlement complex.

Access Route

From Navalady Junction, travel along the Trincomalee Road (A15) toward Panichchankerni. After passing the 56 km (34.8 miles) milestone, continue for approximately 400 m (0.25 miles) and turn right onto Panichchankerni Road. Proceed for about 1.6 km (0.99 miles) along this road, then continue approximately 500 m (0.31 miles) along Nagarasu Road on the left-hand side to reach the site.

Location and Archaeological Evidence

Based on the ancient roof tile fragments and the square-shaped socket holes observed on the stone pillar fragments discovered at the site, the remains have been identified as belonging to buildings constructed during the Anuradhapura Era.

The ruins are situated on a privately owned plot of land locally known as Bahirava Kovil Land. The archaeological remains appear to have suffered destruction together with the surrounding settlement area. At present, a stone pillar measuring approximately 80 cm (31.5 inches) in height and a secondary stone pillar measuring about 98 cm (38.6 inches) in height survive in a deteriorated condition within the property.

On the adjacent land to the east of the site, near a well, a part of a stone disk measuring approximately 1 m (3.28 feet) in diameter has been identified. This stone closely resembles a chatra stone, which traditionally formed the uppermost component of early stupas.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 8° 05′ 24.9″ N
East Longitude: 81° 26′ 56.9″ E

References

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

Also See

Traveling Directions to Sallitivu Archaeological Site

Route from Trincomalee to Sallitivu Archaeological Site

Through: Kinniya – Mutur – Serunuwara
Distance: 80 km
Travel time: 1.40 hours
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

Map of the Sallitivu Archaeological Site

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