Weligama Rassamuna Kanda Point

Although largely unknown to the younger generation of Weligama, Cave (1908, p. 169) mentions an intriguing site on the shores of Weligama among other nearby attractions. He refers to this location as “Rasamukkanda,” situated near the northern end of Weligama Bay, where the ruins of an ancient temple can be found. The temple was believed to be haunted by the villagers with the spirits of its priests, who were believed to be omnipresent and worshipped by cobras.

When viewed from the side, this rock resembles a demon facing the sea, another demon staring directly at you, and yet another possibly facing inland. Deep coves mark the areas where the mouths of these figures are formed. The waters around this rock are rough, so much so that even fishermen avoid getting close to it.

Quoting Ayrton, Senaveratna (1920, pp. 92–93) calls this point “Rasamuna” and records Ayrton’s visit to the point called “Rasamuna” and the ruins of Rahatuna Kanda based on the Cave’s book. Ayrton records that “All that remains is a quadrangular enclosure of large boulders from the sea shore which may have supported a platform for a mud hut“

The publication Sailing Directions for the West Coast of India in 1976 calls this point Rassamunai in its description of Weligama Bay ;

Weligama Bay, entered between Rassamunai Point and Mirissa Point, about 11/2 miles east- southeastward, is encumbered with numerous islets and dangers, and it should be noted that the sea may break with a southwesterly swell on any of the shoal patches that have a depth of not greater than 18 feet…….
Rassamunai Point consists of red cliffs which extend about 1/2 mile westward and 600 yards north-northeastward from it …… The western and northern shores of the bay to the entrance of the Polatu Ganga is sandy and backed by coconut palms. It is interrupted by a cliffy point, on which there is a small white house, about 1,350 yards northward of Rassamunai …….

The only other record of this site and the only photo (seen above) was published by Dr U. I. Samarasinghe in a Facebook post in 2015. The following text is based on this report,

After turning off from the Kapparathota junction in Weligama and driving a considerable distance along a very narrow and winding road, we reached a point where it was no longer possible to continue by vehicle. Therefore, we had to proceed the rest of the way on foot.

After walking along narrow footpaths, we found ourselves navigating through a thicket of thorny Vetikayiya shrubs, slightly beyond the inhabited area. Protecting our eyes from the sharp leaves, we carefully bent forward and made our way through. We reached a cliff’s edge, which offered a clear view of the Raksha Muhunu Kanda (Demon Face Mountain) in the distance, resembling the tip of a nose pointed toward the sea.

Ahead and to one side, we could see the vast, deep blue ocean extending endlessly, with the sky above dotted with wispy clouds. On the other side, the Raksha Muhunu Kanda rose about 40 feet into the sky, its base lined with black rocks where the sea waves crashed. The cliff’s lower portion featured a cave entrance, and as I gazed at it, I remembered the story of Jayawira Mahathmaya, a renowned music teacher from Weligama, who had once recounted how, as a child, he had dared to venture through that very cave, despite its dangers, just for the thrill of it.

References

Cave, H. W. (1908). The Book of Ceylon – Being a Guide to Its Railway System and an Account of Its Varied Attractions for the Visitor and Tourist. Cassell and Company Limited.
Hydrographic Center. (1976). Sailing Directions for the West Coast of India : includes Sri Lanka and Maldive and Laccadive Islands. (5th ed.). Defence Mapping Agency, Hydrographic Center.
Senaveratna, J. M. (1920). Antiquities in the Southern Province – Diary of the Late Mr. E. R. Ayrton. The Ceylon Antiquary and Literary Register, VI (part II), 86–93.

Also See

Map of Weligama Rassamuna Kanda Point

Click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map

Show Location on Google Maps

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.

Travel Directions to Weligama Rassamuna Kanda Point

Directions to the tree can be seen at the Mannar town itself. Travel along this road for 1 km and a tree lies next to the road in an open space at Pallimunei.

Route from Colombo to Weligama Rassamuna Kanda Point

Through : Southern Express Way
Distance : 168 km
Travel time : 2.5 hours
Driving directions: see on Google map