While the exact date of construction and the identity of the builder remain uncertain, it is clear that the stupa was built during the early Anuradhapura period. The stupa stands about 3.5 feet high with a diameter of approximately 45 feet. It has been dug from the top of the dome to the very bottom of the base by treasure hunters. Rubble stones, bricks and mouldings are found scatters around the stupa.
Based on the visible remains at the Kanthale Sri Agbo Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site, it is certain that the site dates back to the early Anuradhapura period. The site contains several ruins and stone fragments belonging to various buildings in the northern part of the monastery grounds.
Due to an existing crisis situation, it has been impossible to properly conduct conservation and excavation activities around the ancient Anuradhapura-era stupa, image house, and monastery complex located near the Kanniya hot springs in Trincomalee. These Buddhist ruins are being destroyed due to encroachments by non-Buddhists.
The ruins of two buildings can be found at the Adampane Andagala Archaeological Site, Both the remains are well-preserved and maintained by the Department of Archaeology. Made of brick, the main building is the first structure you encounter upon entering the area. The main building is possibly a Bodhighara or a Image house and the smaller one is a Bodhighara.
Kiliveddy Sri Wardhana Bodhi is one of the first 32 saplings of Sri Maha Bodhi which was destroyed by Hindus in 1979 and built a kovil on the ground it stood for millennia.
This Kevuliya lighthouse ( Round Island Lighthouse) lies on top of a small rockey island in the bay of Trincomalee. The lighthouse on the island was built on 1863 and this was one of the the tree navigational aid for ships coming in to the Trincomalee Harbour during the British Rule.
There is an old stupa on a small knoll in the village of Kevul, just off Keviliya Point, the southern tip of the Trincomalee harbour entrance called Sampur Sudaikuda Dagoba (Sudekuda, Sudaikuda). This Dagaba, facing the Indian Ocean, was discovered through the Seruvila archaeological exploration project and was completely bulldozed by extremists using dozers just within two days.
Vilankulama, located between Trincomalee and Kadawat Satara Divisional Secretariat, is a area full of ruins belonging to the early Anuradhapura period. Villagers who go to the forest to cut wood and collect bee’s honey say that 10 ancient and destroyed stupas are lying in the jungles below and above Vilankulama Wewa reservoir and on the hillock near the reservoir.
Masanvewa is another ancient Buddhist monastery hidden in the Trincomalee Kuchchaveli forest which its under threat from Hindu extremists. There are many such ruins in Kuchchaveli forest. Sembumale . Bambaragala, Debaragala are some of these. A Hindu kovil had been already setup among the ruins using the Buddhist ruins themselves.
From junction 97 on the road leading from Kantale to Trincomalee, take a right towards the Senawallikulam reservoir and reach the reservoir after traveling for another two kilometers. The archaeological site of Senawallikulam with its ruins is found at the end of the embankment.
Inside the Sinipura Viharaya (Seenipura Viharaya) lies a unique ancient Medicinal Trough (Beheth Oruwa) lying under shade of a tree. This Medicinal Trough (Beheth Oruwa) has been discovered among other ruins in the jungles of Kantale Sugar Factory and relocated to the temple for its safety from treasure hunters.
The British built their first lighthouse in Trincomalee in the year 1845 on the flagstaff post of the old Trincomalee Fort (Fort Frederick). The lighthouse had one single light with 2 reflectors with an elliptical focus of 6 ½ inches. The lantern was 206 feet (52.8 meters) above the sea level and 10 feet (3 meters) from the foot of the lighthouse. The light was powered using coconut oil.
The Somawathi National Park known for large herds of elephants is one of the four national parks set aside under the Mahaweli River development project.
The two wells at Gomarankadawala Hot Spring is also referred to as Rankihiriya Hot Springs, Ulpatha Hot Springs or Ulpotha Hot Springs. These hot water well lies close to the Rangiri Ulpotha Buddhist Ruins.
As you travel towards Kanniya Hot springs from Trincomalee about 2 kms to the turnoff to the well (5.8 km from the Trincomalee Town) you will come across a unique rock formation on the Anandakulama rocky mountain range.
Traveling on the Gomarankadawala – Thiriyaya road for 6.5 km will bring you the ancient Surulumahamuniyawa Rajamaha Viharaya. This is one of the many small archaeological sites within ancient temples off the beaten path in the Anuradhapura district.
Pahalgama archaeological site is located in Adampane area, which is about 7.5 km on the Gomarankadawala – Thiriyaya road. Although this is not a large area, it was well maintained when we visited. A preserved ruins of a stupa, a bodhighara and an image house comprise the shrine.
The Kivulekadawala Shalilabimbarama is a temple built on a ancient temple complex in Kivulekadawala on the Adampane – Kuchchaveli road near a reservoir. Granite pillars where buildings stood proud in the ancient times can be seen scattered round.
Kivulekadawala is located about 11 km along the the Gomarankadawala – Tiriyaya road. The ancient Kivulekadawala Reservoir and the Kivulekadawala Shailabimbarama Viharaya are located near this road.
This archaeological site can be seen near the starting point of Yanoya Second Dam. Here you can see a collapsed stupa and the remains of an ancient Buddhist aramic complex probably belonging to the Anuradhapura era. Among these ruins can be seen polished stone slabs which may be asanagharas or flower alters, siripathul stones, koravak stones and Guardstones (muragal stones) scattered on a rocky plateau.
