Ruins of Weliela Mankada Gal Palama (Stone Bridge) and Amuna at Ipalogama – වැලිඇල මංකඩ පුරාණ ගල් පාලම හා අමුණ නටබුණ්

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Anuradhapura was the first real capital of Sri Lanka over two thousand two hundred years ago. The road network was in a highly developed stated during this era, with major roads leading to Trincomalee, Mannar, Jaffna and the southern kingdoms from Anuradhapura. These roads were not only used for foot traffic but carts carrying goods traveling on trade and commercial activities. With the development of the road network, the ancient kings built sturdy bridges out of granite slabs and pillars. Ruins in various bridges around Anuradhapura can be found across Malwathu Oya, Hal Pan Ela, Kandara Oya, Yan Oya, Kala Oya and Deduru Oya.

Outside the more popular stone bridges over Malwathu Oya and Halpan Oya, ruins of few other bridges have been discovered. The undiscovered bridges may be lot more.

Ruins of Weliela Mankada Gal Palama lies in the Ipalogama PS division in Anuradhapura,  across Kala Oya with the Haye Ela Kagama on the right bank  and Erabadugama lower area on the left bank. The bridge has been built across a rocky part of the river. The river at this place is about 43 meters wide with the rock bed exposed in the most part during the dry season.

You can observe square holes cut in to the rock for about 30 meters across the river. These holes are about 20 centimeters on a side but does not lie in a straight line.The holes are spread along a 6.1 metre wide area giving a indication of the width of the bridge.

Sadly parts of the ancient bridge is also not seen today. These rock pillars and granite slabs have probably washed away during heavy rains or floods. However there are ruins of a ancient canal diverting water to the right bank about 20 meters upstream from the bridge ruins. This indicates an existence of a ancient Amuna (Anicut) along with the stone bridge in the ancient times.

This site can be reached from Kekirawa by traveling to Ipalogama.  From Ipalogama turn left to Pahala Wembuwa Road which a road running along the banks of Yodha Ela to reach the hamlet of Kagama. You can reach the banks of Kala Oya where the ruins lies over gravel roads in the village.

There are at number of stone bridges discovered  in Sri Lanka. These are in various states while some have been conserved to an extent. The most popular is the bridge over the Malwathu Oya.

1. Stone Bridge over Malwathu Oya (Anuradhapura)
2. Stone Bridge over Halpan Ela (Anuradhapura)
3. Stone Bridge close to Mahakanadarawa Reservoir (Mihintale)
4. Stone Bridge at the Girihandu Seya  (Tiriyaya)
5. Kayankerni Stone Bridge  (Eastern Province)
6. Habagama Stone Bridge
7. Yanoya Stone Bridge
8. Weliela Mankada Stone Bridge
9. Palamgala Stone Bridge
10. Alubedda Stone Bridge
11. Palugaswewa Stone Bridge
12. Thirappane Stone Bridge
13. Ebawalapitiya Stone Bridge
14. Thulawelliya Stone Bridge

References

• පුරාණ ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ශෛලමය පාලම් නිර්මාණ කිහිපයක් සහ එහි තාක්ෂණය පිලිබඳ මූලික විමසුමක් – ආචාර්ය චන්දන රෝහණ විතානාච්චි

Also See

• Hydro Heritage of Sri Lanka
• Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
• Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity

Map of the The Ruins of Weliela Mankada Gal Palama

Traveling Directions to the Ruins of Weliela Mankada Gal Palama