Sri Lanka has a number of rock painting and a few engraving sites scattered over four specific ecozones, viz; (i) semi-arid lowlands; (ii) dry lowlands; (iii) wet lowlands; and (iv) intermediate dry lowlands (Somadeva et al., 2019). Although these sites were not much explored or studied, several scholars such as H.C.P. Bell, C.G. Seligmann, B.Z. Seligmann, G.F.R. Browning, J. Still, F. Lewis, G.F.R. Browning, P.E.P. Deraniyagala, S. Karunaratna, L.A. Aditya, A.T. Rambukwella, B.D. Nandadeva, and R. Somadeva have made valuable efforts to find out and document their historical and archaeological values (Browning, 1919; Seligman et al., 1911; Somadeva et al., 2019; Still, 1910).
The list of rock paintings and engraving sites in Sri Lanka
This is an incomplete list prepared by "Lanka Pradeepa".
No. | Site | Remarks | References |
1 | Alugalge (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, animal (leopard, peacock), lines, and other symbols (wheel) |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Somadeva et al., 2019 |
2 | Andiyagala (Anuradhapura District) |
Rock paintings. Includes figures of human and other symbols (sun) |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Still, 1910 |
3 | Arangodagala (Polonnaruwa District) |
Rock paintings. Includes figures of human (man, woman), animal (monkey, deer, centipede or leaf), and other symbols (lotus of sun, bow & arrow, flowers) | Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 |
4 | Bambaragastalawa (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes unidentified animal figures |
Somadeva et al., 2019 |
5 | Billewa (Anuradhapura District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, animal (sambur, peacock), and other symbols | Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Still, 1910 |
6 | Bogoda (Anuradhapura District) |
Somadeva et al., 2019 | |
7 | Budugala (Ratnapura District) |
Includes the figures of human faces, animal (lion), and other symbols (Swastika, trident) |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Somadeva et al., 2019 |
8 | Budunnehela (Monaragala District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, animal (deer, tusker, elephant), and other symbols (beehives, hungotu, hoop, arrow) |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 |
9 | Danigala (Polonnaruwa District) |
Rock engravings | Sumanarathna et al., 2020 |
10 | Dimbulagala (Polonnaruwa District) |
Includes a figures of human, and other symbols | Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 |
11 | Dikgalge (Ampara District) |
Somadeva et al., 2019 | |
12 | Dorawakakanda (Kegalle District) |
Rock engravings. Includes the figures of human, animal (elephant and calf), lines, and other symbols |
Browning, 1919 |
13 | Gamakandagalge (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Figure of a hangout or maludema (a vessel for collecting honey) |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Seligman et al., 1911 |
14 | Ganegama (Monaragala District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of animal (elephant, crocodile, crawling animal), and Brahmi Scripts |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Somadeva et al., 2019 |
15 | Gonagolla (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of hunter, deer, stag and deer juveniles |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Somadeva et al., 2019 |
16 | Hakbelikanda (Kurunegala District) |
Rock engravings. Includes fihures of human, animals (pangolin, deer), various lines |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 |
17 | Havala Eliya (Hambantota District) |
Somadeva et al., 2019 | |
18 | Henanigala (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, animal, and other shapes | Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Somadeva et al., 2019 |
19 | Hingurana (Ampara District) |
Somadeva et al., 2019 | |
20 | Hulannuge (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, animal, and other symbols | Somadeva et al., 2019 |
21 | Kadurupokuna (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of animal (elephant, and unidentified) | Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Somadeva et al., 2019 |
22 | Kandegala (Polonnaruwa District) |
Somadeva et al., 2019 | |
23 | Kongarayankulam (Vavuniya District) |
Includes the figures of human and animal |
Somadeva et al., 2019 |
24 | Kiripokunahela (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of animal (elephant) | Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Somadeva et al., 2019 |
25 | Komarikalena (Anuradhapura District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, and animal (elephant, either a sambur doe, jackal or dog) | Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Somadeva et al., 2019 |
26 | Konategodagalge (Batticaloa District) |
Somadeva et al., 2019 | |
27 | Kondagalagalge (Ratnapura District) |
Somadeva et al., 2019 | |
28 | Kotiyagala (Ampara District) |
Somadeva et al., 2019 | |
29 | Kudumbigala (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human | Somadeva et al., 2019 |
30 | Kurullangala (Badulla District) |
Rock paintings. Includes drawings of animals (mainly birds), hand prints (only left hand), and abstract signs | Thantilage et al, 2016 |
31 | Lenama (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, and animal (elephants, pigs, bears, birds) | Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 |
32 | Lihiniyagala (Nuwara Eliya District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, and animals | Somadeva et al., 2019 |
33 | Lunuathugalge (Monaragala District) |
Somadeva et al., 2019 | |
34 | Mahalenama Eliya (Ampara District) |
Various drawings |
Somadeva et al., 2019 |
35 | Malayadikanda (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, animal, and other symbols | Somadeva et al., 2019 |
36 | Mandagalage (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, animal (elephant), and other symbols | Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Somadeva et al., 2019 |
37 | Magul Maha Viharaya (Hambantota District) |
Rock paintings. Hand impressions |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 |
38 | Minademugalge (Ampara District) |
Somadeva et al., 2019 | |
39 | Molagoda (Kegalle District) |
Somadeva et al., 2019 | |
40 | Mudunalavagalge (Monaragala District) |
Somadeva et al., 2019 | |
41 |
Neelagirikanda (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes figures of animal (deer, tortoise), and other symbols | Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Somadeva et al., 2019 |
42 | Nella (Monaragala District) |
Rock paintings. Includes figures of human, animal (deer), and other symbols (hangotu, beehives) |
Somadeva et al., 2019 |
43 | Nevgala (Monaragala District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures animal (lion/tiger) | Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Somadeva et al., 2019 |
44 | Panama Galge (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes lines and other symbols | Somadeva et al., 2019 |
45 |
Pihillegodagalge (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes figures of human (men, women), animal (leopard, monitor lizard), and other symbols (bow & arrow) |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Seligman et al., 1911 |
46 | Piyangala (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human (a group), animal (deer), and other geometric shapes |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Somadeva et al., 2019 |
47 | Pulukunawa (Batticaloa District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human (two), animal (deer, elephant, dog), and other shapes (hangotu, beehive) |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 |
48 |
Punchikiriammagalge (Badulla District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, animal (elephant), | Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Seligman et al., 1911 |
49 | Rajagala (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, animal, and other symbols | Somadeva et al., 2019 |
50 | Samangala (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures animal (pangolin, a deer, either a jackal or a dog), and other objects (hangotu) |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Medhananda, 2003 |
51 |
Sangamankanda (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, animal, lines, and other symbols | Somadeva et al., 2019 |
52 | Tantirimale (Anuradhapura District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, animal (birds, bear, child, leopard, iguana), and other symbols (sun, moon) |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Still, 1910 |
53 |
Thoppigala Narakamulla (Batticaloa District) |
Rock paintings |
|
54 |
Thelambukemagalge (Monaragala District) |
Somadeva et al., 2019 | |
55 | Umagekanda (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, and other symbols | Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Somadeva et al., 2019 |
56 | Urakanda (Kegalle District) |
Rock engravings. Includes triangular shapes, Siripatula |
Senanayaka & Rammungoda, 2010 |
57 |
Ussagala (Monaragala District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, animal, and other geometric shapes |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Somadeva et al., 2019 |
58 | Valagampura (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, animal (deer, elephant), and other symbols (hangotu, beehive) |
Kelum & Wickremasinghe, 2014 Somadeva et al., 2019 |
59 |
Vettambugala (Ampara District) |
Rock paintings. Includes the figures of human, animal (elephant, deer), lines, and other symbols | Somadeva et al., 2019 |
References
1) Browning, G. F. R., 1919. Some Rock Drawing at Dorawaka in Kegalla District. Ceylon Antiquary and literary Register, Vol.IV. Part IV. pp.226-227.
2) Kelum, M.A., Wickremasinghe, H.,
2014. Action Plan for Conservation & Sustainable Use of
Palaeobiodiversity in Sri Lanka. Biodiversity Secretariat, Ministry of
Environment & Renewable Energy. pp.68-70.
3) Medhananda, Ven. Ellawala, 2003. Pacheena passa - Uttara passa: Negenahira palata ha uturu palate Sinhala bauddha urumaya (In Sinhala). Dayawansa Jayakody & Company. Colombo. ISBN: 978-955-686-112-9. pp.212-215.
4) Seligman, C.G., Seligman, B.Z., Myers, C.S. and Gunasekara, A.M., 1911. The veddas (Vol. 1). The University Press. pp.318-
5) Senanayaka, J., Rammungoda, U.R.,
2010. Petroglyphs of Urakanda - Sri Lanka : A preliminary account.
Sirinimal Lakdusinghe Felicitation Volume. pp.247-253.
6) Somadeva, R., Wanninayake, A., Devage, D., Fernando, R., 2019. A review of rock art studies in Sri Lanka. Expression N° 25. ISSN:2499-1341. pp.70-85.
7) Still, J., 1910. Tantrimalai: Some archæological observations and deductions. The Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland 22, no. 63. pp.73-10.
8) Sumanarathna, A.R., Aouititen, M.,
Taylor, B., Sameera, G. and Bandara, A., 2020. Fundamental inspection
report- relevant to astrotourism, geotourism, and archaeological
potentials: Vistas and unique opportunities of Dhanigala circular rock
Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. pp.2-50.
9) Thantilage, A.; Dissanayaka, R.A.; Bogahawatta, C.; Vithanage, I.;
Senanayaka, J.; Wijesinghe, T.K.; Ekanayaka, E.M.L.S.S., 2016. An
account of the recently discovered rock art site at Kurullangala in
Ella, Sri Lanka. Laboratory of Cultural Material Analysis Publication
Series-4. Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.
pp.1-12.
This page was last updated on 24 September 2023