Henry Engelbrecht, famously remembered as “the last irreconcilable,” was a Boer prisoner of war turned game warden. Engelbrecht devoted 21 years of his life to protecting the wildlife in what is now the Ruhuna (Yala) National Park, earning lasting recognition for his dedication and jungle expertise.
Muruthawela Gini Petti Pālama, or “Matchbox Bridge,” is a unique elevated canal structure connected to Muruthawela Wewa. Surrounded by scenic paddy fields and hills, it offers tranquil views and safe bathing spots. This distinctive “bridge for water” remains a popular yet lesser-known attraction in southern Sri Lanka.
The Seelawathi and Mulgirigala mountains are located about a kilometer apart near Modarawana. While not as tall as Mulgirigala, Seelawathi hill covers a larger area. Three sides of the mountain have steep cliffs, while the remaining side provides access to the summit. Though the Seelawathi Rajamaha Viharaya is ancient, its origins remain unclear.
Despite the Uduvila Gangarama Viharaya temple’s recent developments, there are still a few relics of the monastic complex from the Pre-Christian era. Near the stupa, you’ll find a cluster of undressed stone pillars that once supported an ancient building. Additionally, the top portion of a massive Yupa Gala, and Gal Chatra is found nearby
The Poththewelagala Ruins are located in a scrub jungle, 2 kilometers southeast of Tissamaharama. The site can be reached from a gravel road 3.3 km down the Kirinda-Sithulpawwa Road. A black archaeology board by the roadside marks the direction of this gravel road. After driving 1 kilometre along this road and passing a model village, you will arrive at the ruins.
Uddhakandara Rajamaha Viharaya is a new temple in Tissamaharama built on an ancient monastic site going back to the pre-Christian era. The original temple is believed to have been built by regional king Mahanaga, the brother of King Devanmpiyatissa (250-210 BCE) who fled the Anuradhapura kingdom.
The Thambarawa Wewa site features Iron Age cist burials and an adjacent settlement. Excavations by Prof. Somadeva revealed compact granite chambers containing funerary urns, charcoal, and glass fragments. These findings confirm early sedentary habitation and ritual practices involving deliberate spatial organization.
The Udawalawe Reservoir, located in the Ratnapura and Hambantota Districts of Sri Lanka, is one of the country’s largest and most significant water bodies. It was constructed in 1963, primarily to support agriculture and irrigation in the surrounding regions, which include Udawalawe, Embilipitiya, and Hambantota.
Liyangastota Amuna (which was called Liyangahatota Amuna during British times) is an Anicut built by the British across the Walawe Ganga River lying close to the Barawakumbuka Interchange which leads to Nonangama on the Southern Expressway. The amuna was built in 1889 by the British.
Dating to 361–178 BCE, the Mahagalwewa Megalithic Cemetery in Hambantota spans 950 square meters. Excavations revealed 19 cist burials and clay urns containing burnt bones, iron tools, glass beads, and Black and Red Ware pottery. These findings offer vital insights into prehistoric social structures and burial traditions.
The Fort at Tangalle was built by the Dutch overlooking the sea on a slope above the bay. The fort is now converted to a prison and lost most of it original shape.
Kottadamuhela is one of the many rocky outcrops in Yala with ruins of the ancient Rununu kingdom in the pre christian era. This site consists of two ruined stupas on the peaks and number of caves with dripledges with Brahmi inscriptions. These inscriptions have been dated to 2nd century BCE.
Mandagala is one of the many rocky outcrops in Yala with ruins of the ancient Rununu kingdom in the pre christian era. Very few from relevant authorities have visited these rocky hill-tops packed with caves with ancient ledge inscriptions. These inscriptions have been dated from 2nd century BCE to 4th century CE.
Dematagala is the highest rock of the Yala Strict Nature Reserve (Block 2) and much of the surround country. During early 20th century 51 drip ledged caves and a remains of a large stupa was recorded at peak of Dematagala. The inscriptions at the site have been dated to 2nd century BC.
Lunuatugalge is a massive cave 5 km south of Thalaguruhela Monastery ruins. This fabulous rock, rising 400 feet in a gentle arc sheltering one of the most beautiful caves in Sri Lanka. It is approximately 200 feet long and as much as 30 feet broad in places, and had evidently housed many families in ancient times.
Less than two miles along the coast from Pillinnawa modera, towards Pothana, is a ridge that rises steeply above the shore. At the base of the cliff are rocks eroded into the shape of a man, which gives the cliff its name Minihagalkanda (miniha-gal-kanda).
Knabiso Galge, also called Kanabisunge Galge, was reported to be in a remarkable state of preservation in 1974. The white lime-washed walls of this cave that nestles under a crag 200 feet above the plains, were still intact. So are its two little windows and its door through which bear and leopard now stalk seeking shelter
Above the rock water-hole called Padikema has on its sloping, upper western face an artificial arrangement of boulders and stone blocks, now much displaced, forming three sides of a rectangle, the fourth side being formed by the natural row of summit boulders beneath which were constructed, in pre-Christian times, several caves.
Almost all the rocky outcrops in this jungle are dotted with ruins of Buddhist monasteries. Silavakanda is the name given to a series of rock-groups about one mile north-east of Magul Maha Viharaya. The highest point of this rocky outcrop is 354 feet high. The caves are not close together but are spaced fairly far apart and some of them are of large size.
Almost all the rocky outcrops in this jungle are dotted with ruins of Buddhist monasteries. Moderagala is a prominent, pointed rock 228 feet high, visible from certain points on the Yala-Katagamuwa Road. Around it are four or five other high rocks and numerous boulders and outcrops. One of these higher rocks lies a stupa ruined by time and treasure hunters. At the lower levels are about a dozen drip-ledged caves, three of which bear inscriptions.
