Attempt to survey 51 acres centred on Vedukkunaari

28-Sep-2026

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Steps have been taken to hand over a 51-acre forest area centred around Vedukkunaari Hill to the Department of Archaeology.

Further details regarding the matter are as follows:

The Nainamadhu Forest in Vavuniya was declared a protected forest by the Forest Conservation Department through a Gazette notification in 1921.

Against this backdrop, the Department of Archaeology had written to the Nedunkeni Divisional Secretary requesting that 51 acres of land in the area, including the Vedukkunaari Malai Sivan Temple located in the Olumadu Grama Niladhari Division, be released for its studies.

Following this letter, the Nedunkeni Divisional Secretary wrote to the Survey Department requesting that the area be surveyed so that it could be taken back from the Forest Department and handed over to the Department of Archaeology.

The Survey Department is expected to take steps to survey the relevant area in the coming days.

Earlier, the Acting Director General of Archaeology, E.A. Senarath Wickramasinghe, stated in a letter dated September 21, 2026, addressed to the Chief Incumbent of the Kurundi Rajamaha Viharaya, that the Vadunnagala archaeological site, located in the Nainamadhu Forest belonging to the Forest Conservation Department in the Olumadu 222B Grama Niladhari Division of the Vavuniya North Divisional Secretariat area, is currently being studied and documented by the Department, and steps are also being taken to declare the site an archaeological reserve.

The letter further stated that archaeological evidence associated with an ancient Buddhist monastery had been identified in the area and that, accordingly, the historical significance of the site represents the early period of Anuradhapura.

Archaeological evidence associated with an ancient Buddhist monastery, including an old stupa, three cave inscriptions containing Brahmi script, eight caves with carvings and structural ruins, has been identified at the site. Accordingly, the historical significance of the site represents the early period of Anuradhapura. Therefore, preserving this archaeological site for future generations is the responsibility of the Department as well as everyone, including you, he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Tamil people in the area state that the Adi Lingeswarar Temple situated on Vedukkunaari Hill in Vavuniya has been a hill temple worshipped by Saivite Tamil devotees living in Vanni for more than 200 years.