Heritage

Uraodemalai Dripledged Cave Complex in Kiran (කිරාන් ඌරාඕඩෙමලෛ කටාරම් කෙටූ ලෙන් සංකීර්ණය)

Located on Uraodemalai hillock, this cave complex features Anuradhapura-period drip-ledged caves, including a double cave and canopy socket holes. The site contains a vandalized 12-pillar building, scattered bricks, a pond with stone steps, and a foot-washing stone.

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The Uraodemalai Dripledged Cave Complex is located in the village of Uraodemalai, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Perillaveli (209), in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu South (Kiran), in the Batticaloa District.

Access Route

From Kiran Junction, turn left at Pulipanchakal Junction onto Kulavadi Road and continue to 5th Post Junction. From there, travel to Alioluwa Junction and proceed towards Havattavan. After passing the Valamandiya Army Training Camp, continue for approximately 1.5 km and turn onto the side road on the left. Follow this road for about 3 km, then walk approximately 3 km into the jungle to reach the site.

Historical Background

The carving of the drip ledges on the caves clearly took place during the Anuradhapura period, and their active use is also likely to date to the same era.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

A complex of closely situated caves is located near the rock formation at the southern extremity of the hillock known as Uraodemalai. The site includes a double cave with interconnected drip ledges extending towards both sides, together with two other nearby caves.

One of these caves features two parallel drip ledges. In front of this east-facing cave, the sloping ground contains a depression, suggesting that a building once stood at this location. The lower cave, opening towards the northwest appears to have had a front canopy or roof structure, as socket holes for structural beams remain visible on the facing rock surface.

At the foot of the rock surface in front of the cave, there is an area containing oval wedge holes. On the rock face opposite these two caves are two additional caves, one on each side, both featuring carved drip ledges.

Evidence indicates that the ground adjacent to these caves was used for the construction of a building. However, the site, which contains 12 stone pillars, has been vandalized by treasure hunters. Except for one standing pillar, the remaining pillars are still in their original structural positions, with most of them largely buried in the soil. Red clay mixed with gravel and scattered bricks is distributed across the ground surface.

Behind the cave are the remains of a pond with remains of stone steps. A stone pillar and a foot-washing stone known as a pada dovana gala are also located nearby.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7° 48′ 52.5″ N
East Longitude: 81° 24′ 22.0″ E

References

Exploration and Documentation Division (Ed.). (2017). පුරාවිද්යා ස්ථාන හඳුනා ගැනීමේ ගවේෂණ වාර්තාව, මඩකලපුව දිස්ත්රික්කය. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka, pp. 330-331

Also See

Map of the Perillaveli Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Kiran

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

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Traveling to the Perillaveli Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Kiran

Route from Batticaloa to Perillaveli Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Kiran

Through: Chenkaladi – Kiran
Distance: 41 km
Travel time: 1.15 hours
Driving directions: see on Google Maps

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Uraodemalai Dripledged Cave Complex in Kiran (කිරාන් ඌරාඕඩෙමලෛ කටාරම් කෙටූ ලෙන් සංකීර්ණය)
Located on Uraodemalai hillock, this cave complex features Anuradhapura-period drip-ledged caves, including a double cave and canopy socket holes. The site contains a vandalized 12-pillar building, scattered bricks, a pond with stone steps, and a foot-washing stone. […]
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