Ampara District

Sediments of stone tools of pre historic era have been discovered on a rocky plain called “Namaloya Pitiye Kella” in the area known as Ridi Ela (Rideela / Ridee Ela) in Dehiattakandiya. This area was declared as a protected archaeological site by the Government on the Gazette issued on 10th October 2014

Bakmeedeniya Purana Viharaya is an old temple in the Bakmeedeniya village in Dehiattakandiya. Archaeologists have discovered sediments of stone tools of pre historic era in the temple premises and this area was declared as a protected archaeological site by the Government

This temple is built on top of a ancient monastery with its ruins consisting of drip ledged caves with inscriptions and ruins of ancient buildings are still visible today.

The rocky outcrop known as “Pirith Kiyu Gala” (Pirithkiyu Gala) close to the Sri Jayasumanaramaya Viharaya in Hungamalagama consist of drip ledged caves with inscriptions, ruins of ancient buildings including parts of granite pillars and signs of crucibles.

A location where ancient sediments of pottery with brick layering in a paddy field bordering Kuda Oya in Sandamadula which was declared as a protected archaeological site in 2010.

Located at the foot of the Samanalathenna mountain range, ruins of ancient buildings, ponds and a stupa at the Samanalathenna Forest Hermitage in Dehiaththakandiya is believed to be belonging to the Polonnaruwa era (11th – 13th centuries).

Evidence of iron smelting in the ancient times in the agricultural village known as Thuwaragala in Dehiaththakandiya. The site at which remains of stone pillars and a site scattered with slag found in Thuwaragala was declared as a protected archaeological monument in 2014.

Ruins of part of a ancient Buddhist monastery lies in the area known as Ranhelagama Ellekotella village in Dehiaththakandiya. Stone pillars and ruins of an building can be found at this village on the borders of Mahaweli River.

Ruins of part of a ancient Buddhist monastery lies in the area known as Nawamedagama in Dehiaththakandiya. The whole area is now a large paddy field and only remains are few stone pillars in the middle

The ruins of the ancient Buddhist monastery which lies in the area known as Paranapansalwatta in Muwapetigewela was declared as a protected archaeological monument by the Gazette issued on 10th October 2014.

Kudagala is a rock formation in the Dehiattakandiya close to a another huge rocky outcrop which has some resemblance to Sigiriya. In 1968 Professor Senarath Paranavithana explored this site and recorded of walls adorned with frescoes similar to Sigiri Frescoes at this site.

The ruins of Henanigala Peranigama was declared as a protected archaeological monument by the Gazette issued on 10th October 2014.

Padiyadora Rajamaha Viharaya is ancient buddhist temple lying in Padiyatalawa on the main Mahaoya Road. It is believed that the Bodhi Tree is one of the first 32 samplings of the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura which dates the temple to the 2nd century BC.

For the devotees traveling on the annual Kataragama Pada Yathra, Okanda is the last gathering point before entering the unforgiving jungle of Kumana and then Yala where they would continue their weeks long walk towards the Katragagama Devalaya.

udupatuna is an ancient Mahayana Shrine complex, lying deep inside the Kumbukkan Forest Reserve far away from civilization. The most striking of the ruins is a carving of a Buddha Statue flanked by 2 Bodhisattwa statues similar the carvings at Buduruwagala at Wellawaya.

Built in 3rd century BC, Gamini Tissa Monastery complex in Mottagala lies about 10km from Akkaraipattu and is currently being destroyed by the Muslim community in the area due to neglect of the government.