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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.
Chundikkulam Lagoon and its surrounding area was designated as a bird sanctuary on in 1938 and became a national park in 2015. Chundikkulam Lagoon is partly surrounded by mangrove swamps and seagrass beds. The surrounding area includes palmyra palm trees, scrub forests and a variety of dry
Iriyapola ruins are located about 20 km southeast of the village of Maligawila in Monaragala district, in the dense forest on the slightly upstream and left bank of the point where the Gonam ala Ara, a right bank tributary, joins the Kumbukkan Oya.
Malwariyakema lies inside Yala Block III, an area which is rarely visited by general public. Here you will find prehistoric megalithic tombs, remains of a ancient buddhist temple as well as vedda paintings on caves
Pilimagala lies inside Yala Block III, an area which is rarely visited by general public. Although the existence of Pilimagala was known for a long time, no proper study of these ruins has been recorded in till 2021
Akasa Chethiya js a a stupa belonging to an monastic complex belonging to 2-3 century BC on top of the massive Elephant Rock inside Yala National Park (Block 1)
Gonagala is a rocky outcrop in the Yala Wildlife Sanctuary lying off the the route to Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya with 11 cave inscriptions and ruins of a temple from the 2nd century BC.
“Thalaguruhela Ruins” was discovered by a British land surveying unit in British Ceylon around 1920, about 100 years ago, and was placed on the “1 inch: 1 mile” map.
The extensive ruins at Bambaragasthalawa consist of several caves with drip ledges hewn on the brow of the entrance. According to a pre-christian cave inscription on one of the caves, its original name has been Nakapavatha. Therefore Nicholas has been concluded that this monastery is probably the Naga Pabbata Viharaya built by King Gotabhaya, ruler of the Rohana kingdom very early in the 2nd century BCE.
An ancient temple complex going back to pre christian era hidden in the jungles on the Yala Border vandalized by treasure hunters.
Kumana National Park lies on the southeast coast in the Eastern province and is well known as a nesting site for various species of herons, storks pelicans and a host of other water birds.
As you travel on the Sithulpawwa Road in Kirinda towards the ancient Sithulpawwa Temple inside the Yala National Park for about 10 km, the Wildlife Department Gate at the Yala Border is located in Bembawa.