The Kudumbigala Monastery, established in the third century BCE during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa, is a magnificent archaeological and spiritual site in the jungles near Panama in the Ampara District. It served as a sanctuary for Buddhist monks seeking solitude away from the ancient kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
Bambaragasthalawa, likely the ancient Naga Pabbatha Vihara built by King Gotabhaya, features a 500-acre complex. It contains ten destroyed stupas, a 36-pillar building, and a massive reclining Buddha. Numerous cave and rock inscriptions confirm its significance as an early monastic sanctuary.
Budubawa lies hidden within the deep forest region that forms a natural boundary between Yala National Park, Kumana National Park, and Kudumbigala Sanctuary. The site has no official signage or any access road and has remained outside the scope of any formal archaeological exploration except by treasure hunters.
A new stupa has been constructed atop the remains of the ancient structure, concealing much of its original form. During conservation efforts carried out in the 1960s, various relics were uncovered within the old stupa. Remarkably, one of the relic chambers had remained intact and undisturbed by treasure hunters, offering valuable archaeological insight. Additionally, two stone stairways leading up to the stupa were revealed during the excavation, shedding light on the architectural layout and ceremonial access routes of the original sacred structure.
At the base of this massive Omunugala (Omuna) rock in the middle of the jungles of Mahaoya lie the remains of an ancient monastery, likely dating back to the pre-Christian era. Later, this area was also home to a thriving Vedda community, which has since disappeared.
Kuda Kebiliththa Devalaya is a lesser-known but deeply revered shrine nestled within the wilderness of the Yala forest, spiritually connected to the Maha Kebiliththa Devalaya, which is believed to be one of the most sacred abodes of Deity Kataragama. While Maha Kebiliththa is known for its intense remoteness, and an arduous journey, Kuda Kebiliththa serves as a more accessible yet spiritually significant site for devotees who seek divine blessings and guidance.
Seethala Wanniya is one of the rocky hills that surround the newly constructed Rambakan Oya Reservoir. The Pihilegoda Galge Cave is one of the largest caves in Seethala Wanniya. It extends about 30 feet in length and is approximately 10 feet tall at the front. The cave was first documented and photographed by the Seligmanns in 1911.
The Bandaraduwa Megalithic Cemetery is an ancient pre-historic burial site located in the village of Bandaraduwa in Ampara District, Sri Lanka. This historical site is characterized by a significant number of cist burials.
The Vijayapura Amblama is a square structure with short walls. These walls serve as benches as well. Two openings in the front and rear serve as entrances. Four pillars on the corners support the roof. The complete structure is built of brick and mortar and lacks any artistic value. This ambalama primarily serves as a gathering place for the villagers.
Kumana National Park lies on the southeast coast in the Eastern province and is well known as a nesting site for various species of herons, storks pelicans and a host of other water birds.
What is visible above ground are broken pillar stumps from what appears to be two ancient buildings. a partially covered asana or flower altar and some unspecified stonework. However, the most interesting artefact found at this site is the top part of a broken pillar. The sump is with the pillar head carved from the same stone.
R L. Brohier has mentioned that there are legends that King Kavantissa (205-161 BC) stayed in this area on his way of pilgrimage to Seruvila from Magampura and has made his son Saddhatissa to stay at Dighawewa. Accordingly, it can safely assume that Digawewa would have been in existence even before the 2nd-3rd century BC. However it is not mentioned when Diga wewa was last used for human use.
Hidden deep in the jungle of Ampara off the remote village of Bandaraduwa lies the ruins known as Weheragodella (Veheragodella). The site is rocky surface near the ancient Nawagiriyawa reservoir. The rock plain of Weheragodella is scattered with stone remains of a building. More ruins may lie beneath the surface.
These Buddhist Archaeology Ruins lies on number of rocky outcrop amidst vast paddy fields of Aligambai. These ruins are spread over an vast area covering several rock surfaces all lying in a cluster. Remains of at least 2 stupas are seen on 2 rocks now almost completely destroyed.
The people living in Aligambai belong to a special indigenous group of gypsies who used to have their ways and life styles and speak a different language from the rest of the larger community. These Buddhist Archaeology Ruins lies on a rocky outcrop amidst vast paddy fields of Aligambai.
Niyadawaragala is an rocky outcrop with ancient Buddhist ruins bordering Mundeni Aru in Mahaoya. The ruins surrounding this rock was declared as a protected archaeological site by the Government in 2014.
The Kongala rock where ruins are found is 285 ft. in height. Four dilapidated stupas are seen on the four rocky hillocks. All the ruins in this complex are vandalised and destroyed by treasure hunters.
A jeep track exists upto Kiripokuna and rest of the path to Kiripokunahela is a 1.5 km trek through the elephant infested jungle. Kiripokuna is a canoe shaped natural pond about 4 meters long along a rock surface.
Ampara Pulukunava Asanaghara, caves and ancient ruins lies at the boundary of the Galoya scheme on the Ampara – Mahiyangana road is on a large forested hill.
Located near Mahaoya town, these seven natural springs are the hottest in Sri Lanka, with temperatures reaching a steaming 56°C. Once inaccessible during the civil conflict, the site is now a popular destination. Managed by local authorities, it offers visitors a unique chance to experience therapeutic, mineral-rich thermal waters.
