Veli Vehera Archaeological Site hidden inside Wilpattu National Park

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Hidden deep within Wilpattu’s wilderness lies Veli Vehera—an ancient monastery shrouded in mystery. Its weathered stupas, stone terraces, and silent Buddha statues echo the artistry of the Anuradhapura era, offering a haunting glimpse into Sri Lanka’s forgotten spiritual heritage now enveloped by the forest’s timeless stillness.

Wilpattu National Park, the largest in Sri Lanka, is not only a sanctuary for wildlife but also a treasure trove of the island’s ancient heritage. Its close proximity to the ancient capital of Anuradhapura, the historic pearl-fishing harbours, and the legendary landing site of Prince Vijaya in 523 BCE has made this vast jungle a silent witness to over three millennia of civilisation—from prehistoric settlements to sophisticated Buddhist monasteries.

In 2006, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) conducted a comprehensive resource inventory of Wilpattu. The survey identified 68 archaeologically significant sites, including 4 fossil sites, 12 prehistoric sites, 42 proto-historic and historic locations, and 87 ancient irrigation tanks—revealing the park’s cultural and environmental importance.

Veli Vehera and the Lost Port City of Uruvela

According to the Mahavamsa, the Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka, King Suba (59–65 CE) established three monasteries, one of which was Valli Viharaya near Uruvela (XXXV:58). The chronicle also records that fishermen from the port of Uruvela—situated about five yojanas, or approximately 64 kilometers (40 miles), from Anuradhapura—donated a vessel of pearls and corals to King Dutugemunu (XXVIII:36–37) to aid in constructing the Maha Stupa (Ruwanweliseya). Uruvela, said to have been founded by a minister of King Vijaya around 500 BCE, was also an active hub for the ancient pearl fishery.

These accounts, along with archaeological findings, suggest that the legendary city of Uruvela may have once thrived within the jungles of Wilpattu. The historian R. L. Brohier, in Seeing Ceylon, proposed that the “old city must have stood somewhere near the delta of the Kala Oya—not far south of Pomparippu.”

Discoveries at Pomparippu

When Prof. S. Paranavithana began excavations at the Pomparippu Urn Burial Site in 1956, attention was also directed to a nearby ruined stupa located about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) east of the cemetery. The stupa, long plundered by treasure hunters, yielded a remarkable collection of artifacts, including early coins, a silver purana (punch-marked coin), two copper coins of the mane-less lion type, and a heavily corroded Roman coin. A non-Brahmic inscription, believed to be written in the Kaka language, was also documented.

Discoveries at Veli Vehera

The stupa at this site stands on a clay platform elevated about 60 centimeters (2 feet) above ground level and measures approximately 20 meters (66 feet) in diameter. The stupa maluwa (terrace) is constructed with finely crafted stone slabs, and a carefully designed drainage system has been incorporated to channel rainwater away from the structure.

Most significant among the discoveries was a donative inscription on a rock slab used in the stupa maluwa (terrace), dating to the 8th century CE. This inscription refers to the site as “Valli Vihare,” reinforcing the hypothesis that the ancient port of Uruvela and Valli Viharaya were located in the Pomparippu region.

Further excavations and conservation efforts took place in the 1970s. During this period, archaeologists unearthed a Buddha statue, believed to correspond to the one mentioned in the earlier Kaka inscription. The Archaeology Commissioner’s Report of 1979 records continued work at the site and the creation of a 2.5-kilometer (1.55-mile) jeep track extending from the 21st-mile post on the Puttalam–Marichchikatti road.

On the courtyard of this ruined dagoba mound are two small seated Buddha statues whose stylistic features resemble those of the Anuradhapura period. A flight of steps leading up from the western side of the mound provides access to the platform, ending with an plain moonstone (sandakadapahana). Two unauthorized excavation pits are visible at the center of the dagoba mound, caused by treasure hunters. Conservation efforts on the western section of the platform were initiated by the Department of Archaeology in 1978 but were subsequently discontinued (Dissanayake, 2024, pp. 27–28).

Being located deep in the jungle without any roads, there is very little information or photos of this archaeological site except the photos taken of Kithsiri Gunawardena taken few years ago and published on www.wilpttu.com.

Significant Archaeological Sites Inside the Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park, while celebrated for its wildlife, remains one of the least archaeologically explored regions in Sri Lanka. Historical interest has largely focused on a few ancient inscriptions and proto-historic sites, leaving much of its rich heritage still shrouded in mystery. Yet, the park and its surroundings are steeped in folklore, early legends, and connections to foundational episodes of Sri Lanka’s past.

One of the most significant legends linked to the park is that of Tammanna Nuwara, widely believed to be the landing site of Prince Vijaya, the first recorded king of Sri Lanka. Around 500 BCE, Vijaya and his 700 followers are said to have disembarked near Kudiremalai Point, close to the mouth of the Moderagam Ara. According to tradition, they first rested their hands on the soil, which left their palms stained red. This tale finds geological support in the stretch of reddish latosols—iron-rich soils—running parallel to Sri Lanka’s western coastal belt. These soils are part of ancient marine terraces, dating back millions of years to when the landmass emerged from beneath the sea.

Local folklore also links Wilpattu to the Yaksha Princess Kuveni, whom Vijaya married upon his arrival. The ruins of Kuveni’s mythical palace are said to lie at Kali Vila, while traces of her presence are believed to linger around the Kokmote Bungalow.

Another important cultural site is Galbendi Neeravia, located northeast of Maradanmaduwa Tank. It is traditionally believed to have been the dwelling of Prince Saliya, son of King Dutugemunu, and his beloved Asokamala, a woman of a lower caste. Their story, dating back around 2,000 years, is remembered as a tale of love and social defiance.

Some of the sites inside Wilpattu National Park with significant archaeological evidence are listed below;

Galbendi Neeravia Ruins : ruins of buildings spread over 10 acres
Galge Viharaya Archaeological Ruins : Caves with brick walls, granite ruins
Hunuvila Gama Ruins : Stupas, shrine house
Kimbula Ketu Gala Ruins : numerous fragments of bricks, roof tiles, and dressed stone blocks—likely remnants of a long-lost monastery
Maha Andaragollewa Wewa Archaeological Ruins : foundation stone, a square-shaped stone block, and scattered brick fragments
Nai Pena Guhava Ruins : Two caves and a Stupa, a pond
Ochchappu Kallu Archaeological Ruins : Caves, Stupa, Image houses, and Inscriptions
Palace of Kuweni Archaeological Ruins : Ruin pillars, Stupa
Pomparippu ancient Burial Site
Tammannawala Archaeological Ruins : Ruins of Stupa, Pillars, Foundation stones, Bricks, and Pond
Veli Vehera Archaeological Site
Weeransole Archaeological Ruins : Three Buddha statues, three image houses

References

Brohier, R., 1982. Discovering Ceylon. 2nd ed. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Lake House Investments.
De Silva, R. and Karunaratne, W., n.d. Administration report of the archaeological commissioner for the year 1979. 1st ed. Colombo: Department of the Government Printing, p.17-19.
Dissanayake, S. B. (2024). 2016 වර්ෂය සඳහා පුරාවිද්‍යා අධ්‍යක්‍ෂක ජනරාල්ගේ පාලන වාර්තාව. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.
IUCN, 2006. Resource Inventory of Wilpattu National Park : Final Report. Colombo: The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Sri Lanka.
IUCN, 2011. Biodiversity and Socio-economic Information of Selected Areas of Sri Lankan Side of the Gulf of Mannar : Final Report. Report submitted by IUCN Sri Lanka Country Office to BOBLME Project Component 2.4 Collaborative Critical Habitat Management: Gulf of Mannar. Colombo: FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Sri Lanka Country Office.
Goonatilake, W.L.D.P.T.S. de A. (2006) Archaeologically important sites in Vilpattu National Park: present status and new findings. National Archaeological Symposium 2006: Papers submitted to the National Archaeological symposium. 1: 57-80.
Gunawardena, K. (2019). WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK: Surviving the past! Loris : Journal of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka, 28(5 : 125 Anniversary Special Commemorative Issue), 61–70.
Mahanama, Geiger, W., & Bode, M. H. (1912). The Mahavamsa or the Great Chronicle of Ceylon. Translated into English by Wilhelm Geiger. For the Pali Text Society by Henry Frowde.
Weeratunga, V., 2009. Wilpattu – Villus and beyond. 1st ed. Colombo: IUCN Sri Lanka Country Office.

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