Veli Vehera Archaeological Site hidden inside Wilpattu National Park

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The Wilpattu National Park is the largest in Sri Lanka and due to the proximity to the ancient capital of Anuradhapura, the ancient pearl fisheries harbour as well the landing site of Prince Vijaya in 523 BCE, this jungle is scattered with an archaeological wealth of the legendary Sri Lankan civilisation starting from the prehistoric days such as the Pomparippu urn burial site to various settlements, palaces and Buddhist temples starting from the pre-Christian era. In 2006 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) carried out an exercise to record the resource inventory of Wilpattu. This report has invented 68 archaeologically important sites, 4 fossil sites, 12 pre-historic sites, 42 Proto-historic and Historic sites and 87 irrigation tanks within this area.

According to Mahavamsa, The Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka, King Suba (59-65) built 3 viharayas, one being “Valli Viharaya” near Uruvela (XXXV:58). Mahavamsa mentions fishermen at landing place (port) of Uruvela lying at a distance of five yojanas (approx 40 miles) from the city (Anuradhapura), donating a vessel of pearls as large as myrobalan fruits and corals to king Dutugemunu (XXVIII:36-37) to build the Maha Stupa (Ruvanweliseya). Uruvela, which had been founded by a minister of King Vijaya (500 BC) has also functioned as a port for pearl fishery. Therefore there is a strong possibility that the hidden city of Uruvela is inside the jungles of Wilpattu. Brohier in Seeing Ceylon states that the “old city must have stood somewhere near the delta of the Kala Oya–not far south of Pomparippu.”

When Prof Paranavithana started excavation of the Pomparippu Urn Burial site in 1956, they also focussed on a stupa in ruins which has been destroyed by treasure hunters discovered about a mile east of the cemetery site. Here some early coins, a silver Purana (punch marked) coin, two copper pieces of the mane-less lion type and a highly corroded Roman coin were discovered. In addition, another non-Brahmic inscription was recorded believed to be in the Kaka language (Vithana, 1987). What is more important is the discovery of the donative inscription belonging to the 8th century on a slab rock used in the construction of the Stupa Maluwa. This inscription refers to this site by the name, ‘Valli-Vihare‘ further strengthening the notion of the location of Uruvela being around Pomparippu.

In the 1970s, further excavations and conservations were carried out at this site. A Buddha statue was discovered during this excavation and it is believed to be the statue mentioned in the kaka inscription discovered earlier. The Archeology Commissioners report for 1979 reports the work being continued and a jeep track of 2.5 km being cut from the vicinity of the 21st-mile post on the Puttalam-Marichchikatti road and the daily tracking by foot on this elephant-infested road by the staff to the site and back.

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 is one of the least archaeologically explored areas where attention has only been paid to ancient inscriptions and proto-historic sites. Much legend and history is associated with the park and its immediate surroundings.

Tammanna Nuwara, the legendary landing site of King Vijaya around 500 BCE, is believed to be situated between Kudiremalai Point and the mouth of Moderagam Ara. It’s recounted that Vijaya and his companions first set foot on this land, resting their hands upon the earth, thus staining their palms with a distinctive red hue. Modern soil analyses reveal a stretch of reddish latosols running parallel to the western coastal belt, evidence of geological formations dating back millions of years when these lands emerged from beneath the sea. According to folklore, Vijaya wedded Kuveni, the Yaksha Princess, whose palace now lies in ruins at Kali Vila, with traces of her presence said to be found near the Kokmotai bungalow. Additionally, Galbendi Neeravia, positioned northeast of Maradanmaduwa tank, is believed to have been the abode of Prince Saliya and his consort Asokamala, nearly two millennia ago, despite her low-caste status.

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

  1. Tammannawala : Ruins of Stupa, Pillars, Foundation stones, bricks and Pond
  2. Ochchappu Kallu: Caves, Stupa, shrine houses and inscription
  3. Palace of Kuweni : Ruin pillars, Stupa
  4. Galbendi Neeravia
  5. Tammannawala : Ruins of Stupa, Pillars, Foundation stones, bricks, Pond
  6. Weeransole : Three Buddha statues, three image houses
  7. Hunuvila Gama : Stupas, shrine house
  8. Nai Pena Guhava : Two caves and a Stupa, a pond
  9. Galge Viharaya : Caves with brick walls, granite ruins
  10. Veli Vehera Archaeology Site
  11. Pomparippu ancient burial site
  12. Nai Pena Guhava : Two caves and Stupa, a pond

References

  • 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.
  • 2010. සිංහල මහාවංශය. 1st ed. Colombo: Buddhist Cultural Center.
  • Mahānāma, Bode, M. and Geiger, W., 1912. The Mahavamsa or the great chronicle of Ceylon. 1st ed. London: Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press, p.250.
  • Weeratunga, V., 2009. Wilpattu – Villus and beyond. 1st ed. Colombo: IUCN Sri Lanka Country Office.
  • Brohier, R., 1982. Discovering Ceylon. 2nd ed. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Lake House Investments.
  • IUCN, 2006. Resource Inventory of Wilpattu National Park : Final Report. Colombo: The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Sri Lanka.
  • W.L.D.P.T.S. de A. Goonatilake, 2006. Archaeologically important sites in Vilpattu National Park: present status and new findings. National Archaeological Symposium 2006: Papers submitted to the National Archaeological symposium. 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.

Also See

Map of Veli Vehera Archaeological Site

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

Driving Directions to Veli Vehera Archaeological Site

Route from Colombo up to Pomparippu
Though : Airport Highway – Negombo – Puttalam – Eluwankulama
Distance : 167 km
Travel time : 3.5-4 hours
Driving directions : see on google map

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