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Veli Vehera ruins (2017) |
Veli Vehera (Sinhala: විල්පත්තු වැලි වෙහෙර නටඹුන්) is a site with the ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery located within the woods of Wilpattu National Park in Puttalam District, Sri Lanka. The popular Pomparippu Urn Burial Site is situated about one mile west to this site.
History
The history of this site is dated back to the pre-Christian era. An 8th century Sinhalese inscription which was discovered during a trail excavation done by Senarath Paranavitana helped to identify the ancient name of this site (Goonatilake, 2006; IUCN, 2006; Paranavitana, 1956). It, found on one of the slabs of the terrace of the Stupa, records the name of this monastery as Vali Vehera [(Valei Vihara in Pali) Goonatilake, 2006; IUCN, 2006; Paranavitana, 1956]. According to the chronicle Mahavamsa, Valli or Villa Vihara was built by King Subha (60-67 A.D.) of Anuradhapura in the vicinity of Uruvela Nagara (also called Mahaveligama) which was founded by Uruvela, a minister of Vijaya or a brother-in-law of Panduvasudeva (Goonatilake, 2006; IUCN, 2006; Nicholas, 1963).
Uruvela is considered one of the earliest Indo-Aryan settlements in Sri Lanka (Nicholas, 1963). It was 5 yojanas or 20 gav (40-50 miles) to west of Anuradhapura and King Dutugemunu (161-137 B.C.) of Anuradhapura is said to have received pearls from Uruvela, indicating that it was a pearling port like Thambapanni and Magana (IUCN, 2006; Nicholas, 1963). Therefore, the present Kala Oya River mouth area (Illuwamkulama and Pomparippu area) was identified as ancient Uruvela by Paranavitana and it is supposed to be that the urn burials found near the Pomparippu were in the cemetery of ancient Uruvela (IUCN, 2006; Nicholas, 1963; Paranavitana, 1956).
Some early coins including a silver punch marked coin, two copper pieces of the maneless lion type and a roman coin as well as a non-Brahmic inscription which is believed to be written in Kaka language are several objects discovered among the ruins of the Stupa of this site (IUCN, 2006; Vitana, 1987). Sarath Wattala who conducted an excavation on this site in the 1970s to conserve the Stupa had subsequently unearthed a Buddha statue, which is believed to be the one mentioned in the Kaka inscription (IUCN, 2006; Vitana, 1987).
The Site
Hidden within the thick forest, the dilapidated Stupa can be considered the main monument of this ruined monastery. Bounded by a perimeter wall, its terrace is paved with granite slabs. Parts of two Buddha statues in sitting posture and altars used to offer flowers are several other artefacts found at the site.
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References
Books, Journal Articles
1) Goonatilake, W.L.D.P.T.S. de A., 2006. Archaeologically important sites in Vilpattu National Park: present status and new findings. National Archaeological Symposium 2006: Papers submitted to the National Archaeological symposium. 1. pp.57-80.
2) IUCN, 2006. Resource Inventory of Wilpattu National Park : Final Report. Colombo: The World Conservation Union (IUCN) Sri Lanka. p.30.
3) Nicholas, C. W., 1963. Historical topography of ancient and medieval Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New Series (Vol VI). Special Number: Colombo. Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch). p.89.
4) Paranavitana, S., 1956. Archaeological investigation near Pompaippu. Ceylon Today. 5(11). pp.13-15.
5) Vitana, R., 1987. Kaka bashaven liyu sellipiya. Kalpana. (In Sinhala). pp.15-17.
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Attribution
To Whom
LankaPradeepa.com extends its gratitude to Mr Kithsiri Gunawardena for providing the necessary photographs (published in www.wilpattu.com) required for this article. All the photos are published here with the permission of the author.
