Heritage

Vattavan Archaeology Site in Verugal (වෙරුගල් වට්ටවාන් පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)

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Following the defeat of the LTTE terrorists in 2009 and the restoration of civil administration in Sri Lanka’s northern and eastern provinces, a troubling pattern has emerged. Numerous lesser-known archaeological sites have begun to disappear before they can be properly documented or brought to public attention. In many areas, this gradual erasure appears to take place under the authority of local councils where Tamil and Muslim political representatives hold a majority.

The ancient archaeological remains in the Vattavana area are now facing a similar threat. Recently, twelve rock caves with drip-ledges and inscriptions etched on their brows were discovered on a narrow rocky outcrop in Vattavana, situated between the A15 road and the Verugal Aru River in the Trincomalee District.

Traveling approximately 50 kilometers from Trincomalee along the A15 road towards Batticaloa, one must turn left onto a narrow gravel path about 3.6 kilometers before reaching the Verugal Aru Bridge, near the Palakkattu area. A further one-kilometer journey through lush paddy fields leads to a long, slender rocky ridge in Vattavana. The outcrop, stretching roughly 700 meters from southeast to northwest, rises gently above the surrounding plains. Paddy fields now extend right up to the base of the rock, erasing nearly all traces of any buildings that once stood here.

In June 2025, the Department of Archaeology initiated a series of field inspections to determine the site’s archaeological boundaries. Officials confirmed the identification of twelve caves bearing drip-ledges and inscriptions, which have been dated to around the 3rd century BCE.

However, the site has already become the focus of controversy. Local protests have been organized, framing the department’s efforts as an attempt at land acquisition driven by political motives, further complicating the preservation of this invaluable archaeological heritage.

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Map of the Vattavan Archaeology Site in Verugal

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Travelling Directions to the Vattavan Archaeology Site in Verugal

Route from Trincomalee to Vattavan Archaeology Site in Verugal

Through : Kinniya – Mutur – Serunuwara
Distance : 51 km
Travel time : 1 hours
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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Mandur Archaeological Site in Kiran (මණ්ඩූර් පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය)
The Anurādhapura-period Mandur Archaeological Site in Kiran sits within marshy terrain near a tributary of Maduru Oya. It features two ruined building complexes with scattered stone pillars up to 5 meters long, heavily damaged by human activity yet preserving distinct ancient tool marks. […]
Kallichchai Buddhist Monastic Ruins (කල්ලිච්චෛ බෞද්ධ ආරාමික නටබුන්)
The Anurādhapura-period Kallichchai Monastic Ruins in Kiran feature a forest stupa breached by treasure hunters, exposing its inner chamber. Nearby artifacts include scattered stone pillars, a fragmented octagonal Yūpa Stambhaya (central pillar), and a circular Chatra Gala (umbrella stone). […]
Harakagala Buddhist Monastic Ruins (හරකාගල බෞද්ධ ආරාමික නටබුන්)
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Vadamunai Dastota Wewa Reservoir (වඩමුනෛ වැව)
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Karakpattiyadi Forest Buddhist Monastic Ruins (කරක්පට්ටියඩි කැලයේ බෞද්ධ ආරාමික නටබුන්)
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Omadiyamadu Archaeological Site (ඕමඩියාමඩු පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය)
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Palm Leaf Fan Carved Rock in Vakare (වාකරේ වටාපත් කැටයම් සහිත පර්වතය)
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Drip Ledged Cave near Omadiyamadu Reservoir (ඕමඩියාමඩු වැව අසළ කටාරම් සහිත ලෙන)
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Pullavi Jungle Buddhist Monastic Ruins (3) in Kayankerni (කායංකේණි බෞද්ධ ආරාමික නටබුන් – 3)
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Also See

Map of the Vattavan Archaeology Site in Verugal

Travelling Directions to the Vattavan Archaeology Site in Verugal

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