Ruins of Ullukkulam Stone Bridge in Vavuniya (වව්නියාව උලුක්කුලම පුරාණ ගල් පාළම නටබුණ්)

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Ruins of Ullukkulam Stone Bridge in Vavuniya photo source : Marga Puranaya by Dr Vidanapathirana

More than two thousand years ago, Anuradhapura functioned as the initial capital of Sri Lanka. In that era, the area showcased an advanced road network, with notable pathways linking Anuradhapura to Trincomalee, Mannar, Jaffna, and the southern kingdoms. These roads not only facilitated pedestrian movement but also accommodated carts transporting goods for trade and commercial purposes.

The expansion of the road infrastructure led ancient rulers to construct sturdy bridges made from granite slabs and pillars. The remnants of these bridges can still be seen along Malwathu Oya, Hal Pan Ela, Kandara Oya, Yan Oya, Kala Oya, and Deduru Oya.

The current Pavatkulama Wewa reservoir is the result of the combination of the ancient Pavatkulama Wewa and the Olukkulama Wewa ((sin. Olu Kulama) in 1958. Olukulama is now called Ulukkulam.

There are 2 stone bridges found in this area, the Pavatkulama Stone Bridge had been built over on an ancient stream connecting Pavatkulama Wewa reservoir and the Ullukkulam (ancient Olu Kulama, Ullukkulama) Stone Bridge over a parallel stream which is tributary of Kal Aru. With the expansion of the Ullukkulam Wewa reservoir in 1896, a concrete dam has been built destroying this stone bridge. However parts of this bridge still can be seen near this concrete dam. This bridge would have been about 300 feet long. Both the stone bridges seems to have been built before these ancient reservoirs were built (Vidanapathirana,2016).

Other Stone Bridges of Sri Lanka

There are many stone bridges discovered in Sri Lanka. These are in various states while some have been conserved to an extent. The most popular is the bridge over the Malwathu Oya.

Alubedda Stone Bridge
Angammedilla National Park Stone Bridge (Polonnaruwa)
Ebawalapitiya Gal Palama (Stone Bridge) over Deduru Oya
Girihandu Seya Stone Bridge (Tiriyaya)
Habagama Stone Bridge
Halpan Ela Stone Bridge (Anuradhapura)
Kayankerni Stone Bridge (Eastern Province)
Mahakanadarawa Wewa Stone Bridge (Mihintale)
Nirawiya Farm Gal Palama (Thambuttegama)
Palugaswewa Stone Bridge
Pavakkulam Stone Bridge (Vavuniya)
Perimiyankulama Gal Palama over Malwathu Oya (Anuradhapura)
Ritigala Gal Palama (Anuradhapura)
Sukara Nijjara Gal Amuna and Stone Bridge
Thimbiripokuna Palamgala Gal Palama
Thirappane Stone Bridge
Thulawelliya Stone Bridge
Ullukkulama Stone Bridge
Vannadi Palama (Vannadi Stone Bridge) and Amuna
Weliela Mankada Stone Bridge
Yanoya Stone Bridge

Note that the location shown below on the Google Map is approximate based on the provided directions.

References

Vidanapathirana , P. (2016) මාර්ග පුරාණය : (ක්‍රිස්තු පූර්ව 3 වන සියවසේ සිට ක්‍රිස්තු වර්ෂ 13 වන සියවස දක්වා) . Colombo 7, Sri Lanka: Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology.

Also See

Map of the Ruins of Pavakkulam Stone Bridge

Please click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map (ගූගල් සිතියම් පහලින්)

Show Location (ගූගල් සිතියම)

The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.

Travelling Directions to the Pavakkulam Stone Bridge

Route from Medawachchiya to Pavakkulam Stone Bridge

Through : Vavuniya Road
Distance : 30 km
Time to Spend : 30 mins
Travel Time : 40 minutes
Driving Directions : see on Google map

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