Veddagala Monastery Ruins (අක්කරපත්තුව වැද්දාගල ආරාම නටබුන්)
Once a great monastery of Bikkhunis, The Mullikulamalai monastery stands abandoned, destroyed and desecrated amidst the jungles that covers the ruins today.
Once a great monastery of Bikkhunis, The Mullikulamalai monastery stands abandoned, destroyed and desecrated amidst the jungles that covers the ruins today.
Deegamadutu Dagoba Ruins lies on a rock plateau a little away from the main Akkarapattu – Sagama toad. Coming from Akkarapattu toward Sagama, turn right to the small road which lies almost opposite the Gamini Tissa Monastery
An un-named archaeological site carries a identification board of the archaeology department at the rocky area south of the Sagama Reservoir (Sangaman Tank) visible to the Akkarapattu – Sagama toad. Whatever ruins which it had has been completely destroyed.
Kanchikudichchi Aru Ruins lies on the two hills on either side of the Kanchikudichchi reservoir embankment. One hill has a 20 ft. dagaba which has been pillaged. The other hill has 11 caves with and one with Brahmi (early Sinhala) inscriptions which can be dated to 2nd century B. C. or older.
The ruins of Sangaman Kanda lies between Akkaraipattu and Komari on the Sangaman Kanda rock plateau (Sangamankandiya) close to the main A5 highway. A dilapidated stupa lies at the top of the rock.
Girikumbila Temple ruins are believed to be part of the massive Monastic Complex of Rajagala in the ancient past, these ruins now stands on the other side Sof the Ampara – Mahaoya road about 25 km from Ampara town in the Rajagalathanne area.
Ruins of the ancient Rambakan Oya giant rock canal lies close to the new Rambakan Oya Reservoir project. The canal has been built with massive interlocking granite blocks which kept the rocks in position even in the worst conditions.
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.
Bowattegala, a rock strewn mountain in the midst of Kumana, had been first fashioned a monastery in the third-second century BC ten noble Kshathriya brothers of Kataragama
Below the Hennaanigala (Henannegala) rock lies ruins of a ancient monastery which has been dated back to the 3rd – 1st century BC. Underneath this massive rock which is much larger than Sigiriya is one of the longest drip ledge caves in Sri Lanka.
Built by King Kanvantissa before the 2nd centenary BC, Hulan Nuge Tharulengala Raja Maha Viharaya ( Tharulengala Forest Hermitage) on a 633 feet high rocky hill called Karadahela in Lahugala Divisional secretariat in Ampara district is a fine example of the grandeur of the ancient Digamdulla heritage.
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.
Arugam bay is considered the undisputed best surfing spot in Sri Lanka. Lying hidden in the laid back eastern coast, it lies in 320 kms from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.
Piyangala Chitralena (cave of frescoes) is an huge cave with ancient veddha paintings lying close the the Piyangala Forest Hermitage in Ampara.
Piyangala Forest Hermitage lies on the Ampara – Mahaoya road about 24 km on away from Ampara covering a vast area of scattered ancient ruins of a Buddhist monastic complex.
Udayagiri Raja Maha Viharaya at Ampara is an ancient temple going as far as 1st-3rd century BC. It is believed that this temple lies on the battle ground of King Parakrambahu and Queen Sugala Devi.
Samanbedda cave temple is an ancient temple complex lying close to the Ampara town.This complex is believed to be built by king Saddhatissa (137-119 BC).
Gonagolla is known for its 3rd century frescoes almost identical to Sigiriya frescoes. Currently only 2 of these frescoes remain protected in with a glass.
Kapurella Hot Spring is now considered the warmest spring in the country with temperature recording of 64.5 Celsius. Kapurella Hot Spring lies in a marshy area in the Jungles of Kapurella ( see map below). Access is through uninhabited forest throug elephant country.