Nelumkulama Rankethgama Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site in Vavuniya

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Rankethgama is a historic village nestled along the road connecting Vavuniya–Avaranthulawa and the Puwarasankulam–Settikulam route. Its name, meaning “Golden Paddy Field Village,” is a fitting tribute to the expansive and fertile paddy fields that stretch across the landscape, bearing witness to the region’s long-standing agricultural abundance since the days of the ancient Sinhala kingdoms.

Directly across from the present-day Rankethgama Viharaya stands a prominent, elevated rock slab. Atop this slab, a weathered stupa (a Dhatu Chaitya) can be seen from afar, though now in a dilapidated state. At the base of the rock, the remnants of a vast brick structure are clearly visible. It remains uncertain whether this was originally a massive brick platform or the foundation of a substantial ancient building.

Surrounding the rock on all sides are both large and small ponds, which continue to serve the local community as bathing places. Behind the stupa, within the dense vegetation atop the rock slab, lie additional ruins—among them, stone medicinal troughs (beheth oru)—suggesting the existence of a once-thriving monastic complex. This forest-shrouded archaeological site at the rear of the rock remains largely unexplored and is in urgent need of documentation and preservation to protect its historical significance.

Map of Nelumkulama Rankethgama Rajamaha Viharaya

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