Pullavi Buddhist Monastic Ruins (1) in Kayankerni

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Pullavi Jungle Buddhist Monastic Ruins (1) in Kayankerni

The Pullavi Jungle Monastic Ruins (Site 1) in Kayaṅkerni is an Anuradhapura-period complex bounded by wetlands and the sea. It features a 75-meter-long stone enclosure wall containing building foundations, broken in-situ pillars, and scattered moonstones. Despite severe treasure-hunting damage, brick and roof tile remnants persist.

The site known as the Pullavi Jungle Buddhist Monastic Ruins (1) is situated in the village of Kayaṅkerni, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Kayaṅkerni 211-A, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu North (Vakarai).

Access Route

Beginning from the Nāvaladi junction, travel along the Trincomalee A15 road up to the 43rd kilometer post. From the end of the Kayaṅkerni bridge, turn right and continue along that road. From the Kayaṅkerni rural housing scheme, proceed approximately 1.5 kilometres (0.9 miles) eastward along the Pullavi jungle road to reach the site.

Historical Background

All archaeological sites located within the Pullavi Jungle consist of building complexes identified as belonging to the Anurādhapura period.

Location of the Site and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The Pullavi Jungle is a stretch of land bordered on the western side by low-lying terrain containing villu wetlands and on the eastern side by the sea. Within this dry and flat forested region lie two archaeological sites. Site Number 1 consists of an enclosed area surrounded by a stone wall, within which the remains of several buildings can still be identified.

Another site with ruins lies 400 meters to the east of this archaeological site.

Stone Wall

The stone enclosure wall measures approximately 75 meters (246 feet) in length and has been constructed using stone slabs measuring approximately 1 meter, 2 meters, and 2.5 meters (3.3 feet, 6.6 feet, and 8.2 feet) in length. A significant portion of these stones is now buried beneath the topsoil. The wall is most clearly visible on the northern side. It is approximately 1 meter (3.3 feet) wide and appears to have been constructed by placing stone slabs on both sides and filling the center with rubble.

Ruins of Buildings

Within the central area of the enclosure, two building sites can be identified, while another structure is located along the eastern edge. All these locations have suffered extensive damage due to treasure hunting activities. Some stone pillars remain broken but still fixed in their original positions, while others have been uprooted and dragged aside during illegal excavations. Bricks, fragments of clay roof tiles, stone steps, and architectural elements such as moonstones are scattered throughout the site.

One of the structures, which still preserves evidence of an entrance, has also been damaged. Stone slabs used as foundation material can still be identified at this location. Another building situated north of the stone enclosure wall, containing stone pillars, has similarly been disturbed and damaged by treasure hunters.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7° 59′ 34.5″ N
East Longitude: 81° 30′ 38.9″ 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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