In this Wadamunai (Wadamune) Megalithic Cemetery, scattered across the landscape, lie between 15 to 20 graves. Unfortunately, the peaceful serenity of these resting places has been disrupted by thorn bushes, which have taken root amidst many of the tombs. Adding to the desecration, some graves have fallen victim to the destructive hands of treasure hunters, who have ransacked them in search of valuables.
Many ancient Buddhist shrines belonging to Eravur Pattu in the Batticaloa District can still be seen in the vicinity of Toppigala. Among these shrines, in addition to the main temples of Toppigala, Nelugala, etc., there are ruins of a huge Sangharama complex spread over a large boulder-strewn land in the Narakamulla area.
Pankudaweli Rajamaha Vihara Archaeological Ruins in Karadiyanaru is an ancient monastery belonging to the pre-Christian era. Unfortunately, most of the ruins including pillars of buildings, pillar bases, Sri Pathul stones (footprints of Buddha carved in stone slabs), rock slabs, moonstones, balustrades, door frames and ancient bricks have been bulldozed to corners.
On the land Thanthamalai Sri Murugan Kovil is built today, spread over an area of 30 acres, ruins of the Rahatgala Monastery is more or less lost today. On the rocky area beyond a pond, 3 double platform buildings and ruins of other buildings have been discovered earlier and these structures had been dated to 7th -8th centuries.
Covered in rocky peaks, Kusalankanda (Kusalan Kanda, Tamil : Kusalanamalai) is surrounded by paddy fields today. This has been a Buddhist monastery in the past. However a Hindu Kovil has been built on these ruins today.
Mantivu Island (Mantheevu Island) covers 0.38 square kilometers (94 acres) having a circumference of 2.5 kms. is situated north of Valayiravu bridge and located between Thimilathivu and Vavunathivu, around 7 km from Batticaloa. It is an island where historically the leprosy patients had been isolated.
Buffalo Island is the largest island inside the lagoon. It covers 4.5 square kilometers (1,115 acres) and has an elevation of about 5 meters. The island is fully covered in paddy fields and Canagaratnam reports that it had 7 man made ponds to collect rainwater during the north-east monsoon.
Sallitivu Islet is a highly environmentally sensitive uninhabited island surround by a coral reef. After tsunami, most of corals had died and now the beach is covered with the coral rubble. Connected to main land By a narrow sand bar.
The Bone Island was initially named Bone’s Island. This is a barren, uninhabited tiny island with a circumference of 504 meters and a area of 13,500 square meters (3.33 acres) pleasantly situated close the mouth of the Batticaloa lagoon.
The Mavadivembu Archaeological site was discovered by the Ampara Archaeology team in 2017. The circumference of the stupa is 32 meters. 7 more buildings in addition to the stupa has been identified at the site. In 2019, it was reported that a person has bulldozed the stupa, and the surrounding ruins of the ancient temple complex to plant coconut, chilies and other vegetables.
There are ruins of more than a dozen stupas, over 15 caves with drip ledges and 6 pathana’s are spread over three hundred fifty acres in within the ruins of Nelugala in Batticaloa district.
Built in 1924, Valaichena (Oddamavadi) Road-Rail Bridge was the last of such bridges to operate in Sri Lanka and was closed to vehicular traffic in 2010 after a new road bridge was built.
Sri Lanka is the only country in the world which commemorates the Dutch interval in her history (1656-1796) by founding a Dutch Period Museum.
Once a great monastery of Bikkhunis, The Mullikulam monastery stands abandoned, destroyed and desecrated amidst the jungles that covers the ruins today.
The Ancient Stone Bridge is located west of the Kayankenі Junction and it has fallen across the Kayankenі Lagoon. Large rock pillars standing in the lagoon for over 200 meters can still can be seen.
Megalithic urn burials have been excavated at Kathiraveli Prehistoric Burial Grounds site. This included black and red ware pottery tentatively dated to the 3rd century BCE and iron tools.
Deep in the jungles between Thiriyaya and Pulmude, lies a exquisitely carved five hooded Naga Sculpture known as the ‘Five Hooded Cobra at Nagathambarani’ at a top of a hill called Valathamale completely out of place.
When it comes to great beaches, you will be spoiled for choice along the east coast of Sri Lanka. Pasikudah and Kalkudah are two great beach stretches just 30 kilometers away from Batticaloa.
This location at Vakaneri is an ancient Buddhist site with a pilfered dagaba and the remains of three structures. There are also the remains of a pond and a stone prakara around it.
Oluvil Lighthouse is the only lighthouse built after independence of Sri Lanka. It was built in 1999 along with the Potuvil fisheries harbour. The lighthouse is a 24 metre high white cylindrical tower with an lantern and gallery attached to a small equipment building. The tower was damaged during the 2004 tsunami but has been repaired again
