Heritage

Wediwettukallu South Archaeological Site with an Image House

56 years ago11 months ago03 mins

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වෙඩිවෙට්ටුකල්ලු දකුණ පිළිම ගෙය සහිත පුරාවිද්‍යා ස්ථානය – Wediwettukallu South Archaeological Site with a Image House
ජයාරුපය : Proposed Kivul Oya Reservoir Project – EIA FINAL Report.

The Mullaitivu District was not only ravaged by a thirty-year terrorist war, but Mullaitivu town also served as a major headquarters for LTTE Tamil terrorists. Scattered across this district are numerous Sinhalese border villages that were frequently subjected to terrorist attacks, along with a large number of ancient, abandoned tanks that have become overgrown. Amidst these, vast areas covered by dense jungle contain a significant number of discovered and undiscovered Buddhist sites and settlements belonging to the Anuradhapura period.

The Environmental Impact Assessment report, conducted under the proposed Kivul Oya Reservoir Project, has identified over fifty archaeological sites that will be impacted by this project. Among the archaeological sites that will be completely destroyed, Wediwettukallu South Pilima-ge (Image House) with its surrounding land has been identified as one such archaeological site.

Wediwettukallu South Pilima-Ge

This archaeological site is located at the upper end of the proposed Kivul Oya Reservoir. What currently appears as an elevated area has reached that state due to soil excavation. The center of this Image House, constructed with four stone pillars each, was dug by treasure hunters a few years ago. This Image House is a building 38 meters long and 8 meters wide.

A signboard indicates that this site was designated as an archaeological site after the defeat of LTTE terrorism. This archaeological building, which will be completely destroyed by the Kivul Oya Reservoir Project, is to be entirely dismantled from this location, piece by piece, and re-established in a different location, ensuring the preservation of its archaeological and architectural features.

Getting There

To reach this site, travel from Padaviya to Weli Oya. After crossing the bridge over Ma Oya in Weli Oya, turn towards Nedunkerny and continue on that road for approximately 5 km along the gravel road towards the 623rd Brigade Headquarters. You can then reach this archaeological site.

References

Mahaweli Consultancy Bureau (pvt) Ltd, 2020. Environmental Impact Assessment Report For The Proposed Kivul Oya Reservoir Project. Final Report. Colombo: Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka.
2014. Proposed Kivul Oya Reservoir Project. EIA FINAL Report. Colombo: Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka.

Also See

Map of Wediwettukallu South Archaeological Site with an Image House

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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

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Travel Directions to Map of Wediwettukallu South Archaeological Site with an Image House

From Padaviya to Map of Wediwettukallu South Archaeological Site with an Image House

Route: Welioya
Total Distance: 20 km
Time to Travel: 30 minutes
Time to spend: Approximately 30 minutes
Driving Directions: See on Google Map

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