Bulldozed Sampur Sudaikuda Dagoba

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අන්තවාදින් ඩෝසර් කල සාම්පුර් සුඩෙයිකුඩා දාගැබ - Sampur Sudeikuda Dagoba bulldozed by the Extremists — Sampur Sudeikuda Dagoba bulldozed by the Extremists

Hidden on a windswept hill near Trincomalee, the ancient Sampur Sudaikuda Stupa once stood proudly facing the Indian Ocean. Though bulldozed within days, its ruins—revealing pottery, gold relics, and prehistoric tools—tell a haunting story of faith, destruction, and resilience buried beneath centuries of history.

Situated on a small knoll in the village of Kevul, near Keviliya Point at the southern tip of the Trincomalee Harbour entrance, the Sampur Sudaikuda Dagoba (also spelled Sudakuda or Sudaikuda) once stood facing the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean. This ancient stupa was rediscovered through the Seruvila Archaeological Exploration Project but suffered a tragic fate when it was completely bulldozed by extremists within just two days. Following this destruction, the Department of Archaeology carried out detailed excavations to salvage what remained.

Historical Context and Legends

References to this stupa are found in the Dhatu Vamsa. It records that King Gotabhaya, son of King Yatalatissa of Ruhuna (2nd century BCE), killed ten Kshatriyas who ruled in Kataragama. Seeking redemption for his sin, Gotabhaya is said to have built many temples—three hundred above the Mahaweli River and five hundred below it. Archaeologists believe that the Sudaikuda Stupa may have been one of these shrines built during his reign.

Archaeological findings suggest two distinct phases of construction: the first between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE, and the second showing evidence of renovation or continued veneration between the 4th and 8th centuries CE.

Destruction and Excavation Findings

Before its destruction, the stupa mound stood about 4 meters (13 feet) high, with numerous rubble stones (sakka gal) scattered across its surface. A stone pillar, 1.5 meters (5 feet) long—likely the Yupa Stamba (central pillar)—was discovered at the northeastern section of the mound.

After being bulldozed to the bedrock, only fragments of the stone foundation remained visible, mostly on the western side. Stones that once formed the body of the stupa were pushed nearly 12 meters (39 feet) outward in multiple directions. Archaeologists also reported finding fragments of pottery, quartz flakes, molded bricks, and reddish-brown soil mixed with brick debris scattered across the site.

Adjacent to the stupa stands a recently built Hindu kovil on the northeast side, with another structure belonging to the kovil on the east. The front area of the temple was littered with fragments of ancient roof tiles and about ten foundation stones of various sizes, some broken. Remains of a medium-sized stone wall, now partially collapsed, were also noted, indicating earlier wooden structures supported by these stone foundations.

Excavations and Discoveries

Formal excavations were conducted over two months, from January 27 to March 25, 2018. The Department of Archaeology divided the work into three stages: surveying the stupa’s base and courtyard, recording subsurface features, and examining adjacent lands for related archaeological evidence.

Excavations revealed that the circular base of the stupa, about 12 meters (39 feet) in diameter, was constructed with a mixture of gravel and clay. Ruins of a brick structure with lime mortar, roof tiles, and walls extending northward were uncovered near the northeastern end of the hilltop—indicating an ancient building with a roofed chamber. Further digs near the kovil’s bell tower uncovered a brick and stone wall, suggesting additional structures once existed between the kovil and the stupa.

Artifacts

Findings from the site include quartz flakes dating to the prehistoric period, black and red pottery fragments, tile and brick pieces, a square iron nail measuring 8 centimeters (3 inches), fragments of finials (stupa ornaments), carved clay boards, and beads. These discoveries indicate continuous human activity and craftsmanship over many centuries.

South and southeast of the stupa, within a 150-meter (492-foot) radius, more archaeological remains have been identified. Two small ponds, which fill only during the rainy season, and two retaining walls built with rubble stones (sakka gal) were also found.

Although the Sudeikuda Stupa was destroyed, its surviving traces reveal evidence of a once-thriving Buddhist and agricultural settlement that flourished in this coastal region since the 3rd century BCE—an enduring testament to the island’s ancient civilization and its spiritual legacy.

අන්තවාදින් සාම්පුර් සුඩෙයිකුඩා දාගැබ ඩෝසර් කිරීමෙන් පසු භූමිය - Sampur Sudeikuda Dagoba bulldozed by the Extremists

අන්තවාදින් සාම්පුර් සුඩෙයිකුඩා දාගැබ ඩෝසර් කිරීමෙන් පසු භූමියේ ඉතිරිව තිබූ නටබුන් කොටස් - Sampur Sudeikuda Dagoba bulldozed by the Extremists

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