Welikanda Pansalgala Archaeological Site

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Welikanda Pansalgala Archaeological Site (වැලිකන්ද පන්සල්කන්ද පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය)

Hidden deep within the jungles of Welikanda, Pansalgala reveals ancient caves, a ruined stupa, and remnants of early Anuradhapura civilization. Stone steps, rock-cut pools, and inscriptions whisper stories of a forgotten monastic complex now reclaimed by nature yet timeless in its quiet majesty.

Welikanda Pansalgala is a rocky area located deep within the Welikanda region of the Polonnaruwa District. To reach the site, one must travel from Polonnaruwa towards Batticaloa and then continue 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Welikanda along a narrow road passing through Maithreegama. The site lies within the dense jungles of Welikanda, just before the ancient Kurulubedda Wewa reservoir and the Welikanda Kavudagala Aranya Senasanaya.

Evidence such as drip-ledged caves, bricks, roof tiles, and stone pillars found at the site indicates that the area was inhabited as early as the initial phase of the Anuradhapura Kingdom.

Architectural Remains and Features

The Pansalgala archaeological site occupies a terrain characterized by several rock outcrops rising above a flat plain. Traces of a ruined stupa can be seen on a rock slab extending in a north-south direction. The stupa, about 10 meters (33 feet) in circumference, is located at the center of a courtyard measuring 8 by 8 meters (26 by 26 feet). Unfortunately, much of the structure has been destroyed by treasure hunters. Rock-cut steps leading to the stupa can be observed on the eastern side of the slab. To the west of the stupa lies a natural rock pool (galkemiya) and a ketukawataya, a conical depression carved into the rock.

Roughly 20 meters (66 feet) southeast of the stupa mound are the remains of a building constructed with stone pillars, adjoining a drip-ledged cave. The walls of this building were made of bricks laid upon a stone-paved foundation, and a cave inscription can be found above the drip-ledge.

To the west of the stupa is a second drip-ledged cave located on a tall rock face, opening to the east. This cave measures approximately 25 meters (82 feet) in length, 8 meters (26 feet) in depth, and 7 meters (23 feet) in height. About 30 meters (98 feet) southwest of this is a third drip-ledged cave, with its entrance facing south. It measures 10 meters (33 feet) long, 4 meters (13 feet) deep, and 4 meters (13 feet) high. This cave is distinctive because it consists of two adjoining chambers formed at the junction of several rock masses.

Another drip-ledged cave lies about 100 meters (328 feet) west of Cave No. 3. This cave, located within a solitary rock mass and facing west, measures 6 meters (20 feet) in length, 4 meters (13 feet) in depth, and 5 meters (16 feet) in height. Its floor has been neatly paved with stone slabs.

On the rock slab associated with this cave are traces of an ancient construction, with scattered remains of bricks, tile fragments, and stone pillar bases spread over an area of about 4 by 4 meters (13 by 13 feet).

Surrounding Landscape and Waterworks

North of the Pansalgala site lies the Bodhi Kudaruwa Wewa reservoir, an ancient village tank that once served as the area’s primary water source. The settlement that developed around this tank relied heavily on it for irrigation and daily use. A stone sluice gate (sorowwa) can still be seen in the middle of the reservoir, while a bisō kotuwa—a chamber used to regulate water pressure—exists near the outlet. However, the reservoir has deteriorated over time and remains neglected following the implementation of the Mahaweli Development Project.

Recent Archaeological Declaration

The Premises known as Nagollakanda with caves and monument complex allotted by Geographical data Nos. mentioned below in Sewanapitiya Village in the Grama Niladhari Division No. 261 of Sewanapitiya in Welikanda Divisional Secretary’s Division in Polonnaruwa District was declared as an archaeological is monument in 1^st February 2023.

The location is given as

North Latitudes East Longitudes

7° 55′ 17.66′ ‘N – 81° 8′ 56.21’ ‘ E
7° 55′ 25.65′ ‘ N – 81° 8′ 54.11’ ‘ E
7° 55′ 22.66′ ‘ N – 81° 8′ 47.26’ ‘ E
7° 55′ 17.84′ ‘ N – 81° 8′ 48.87’ ‘ E

References

Dissanayake, S. B. (2023). 2015 වර්ෂය සඳහා පුරාවිද්‍යා අධ්‍යක්‍ෂක ජනරාල්ගේ පාලන වාර්තාව. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.
Wikramanayaka, V. (2023) ‘Monuments to be declared as Ancient Monuments’, The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka EXTRAORDINARY, 2317/57, p. 4A.

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Travel Directions to Welikanda Pansalgala Archaeological Site

The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains the ancient royal city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.

Route from Colombo to Polonnaruwa Sacred City	Route from Kandy to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through: Central Highway—Kurunegala—Dambulla Distance from Colombo: 230 km Travel Time: 5 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa Sacred City	Route from Batticaloa to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time : 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.