Heritage

Ancient Medicinal Trough (Beheth Oruwa) at Kantale Sinipura Viharaya

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The medicinal bath or medicinal trough (beheth oruwa) at the Kabthale Sinipura Viharaya - කන්තලේ සීනිපුර නටඹුන් අතර හමුවන බෙහෙත් ඔරුව

Kantale Sugar Factory was a project initiated with the financial support from the Czechoslovakian government in 1957. The factory covering 21,223 acres of land was completed in 1960, The factory had a capacity of processing 1,600 metric tons of sugar cane per day producing 102 metric tons of sugar and 12,000 liters of alcohol spirit per day.

The factory was handed over to a company named Lanka Agencies in 1993 but taken back by the government in 1994. The factory was shut down thereafter firing all but 230 employees to look after the machinery. Upto this date the factory is non functional and most of the valuable machinery is now beyond salvage.

The village of Sinipura (Seenipura) was established with the Sugar Factory to provide accommodation and facilities for the workers of the factory as well as sugar cane plantation. Sinipura Viharaya is part of this infrastructure of Sinipura.

Inside the Sinipura Viharaya (Seenipura Viharaya) lies a unique ancient Medicinal Trough (Beheth Oruwa) lying under shade of a tree. This Medicinal Trough (Beheth Oruwa) has been discovered among other ruins in the jungles of Kantale Sugar Factory and relocated to the temple for its safety from treasure hunters.

Sri Lanka must be one the first countries to establish hospitals in the ancient world starting at least from 4th century BC. Many stone cut Medicinal Troughs are found among the ruins of ancient hospitals across the country. What is unique about this stone cut trough is the bottom of the trough is shaped to the curves of back of the human body for more comfort in lying in the trough, The space between the legs too has been separated out.

This is also probably the only Medicinal Trough (Beheth Oruwa) discovered in the Trincomalee District in the Eastern Province.

References

Wickramaratne W.P.C. (2020) Special Audit Report on the Examination of the Restructure of Kantale Sugar Industries Limited and sale of iron existed therein. rep. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Auditor General, pp. 83–84.

Also See

Map of Kantale Sinipura Viharaya Beheth Oruwa

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Traveling Directions to Kantale Sinipura Viharaya Beheth Oruwa

Route from Dambulla to Kantale Sinipura Viharaya

Via : Agbopura
Distance : 71 km
Travel time: 1.15 hours
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