Ampara tells its story not only through individual finds: the Dighavapi Museum displays antiquities from the Eastern Province alongside numerous antiquities found at the Dighavapi site. This dual perspective—on a wider region and on a specific archaeological site—sets the scene for the archaeological traces found in many different places across the administrative district. Add waterscapes and protected areas, and Ampara can be explored through both history and nature.
Archaeology in rock and cave
Near Pansalgala in Paragahakele, in Ampara Administrative District, there is a natural rock surface with an ancient stupa mound, steps, drainage channels and other archaeological traces. Pansalgala also has drip-ledged caves and cave inscriptions. North of Pansalgala is a cave complex with drip ledges, ancient paintings, prehistoric graffiti and cave inscriptions.
Different forms of archaeology can also be found elsewhere in Ampara Administrative District. Konduwatuwan has ruins of ancient buildings; a drip-ledged cave is located on the grounds of Kotawehera School. Archaeological traces, rocks with chisel holes and scattered ancient pottery sherds can be found near the Udayapura pillar inscription at Pansalwatta. At Vehera godella there is a mound with an ancient stupa and stone pillars. A rock surface on the grounds of Pilleyar Kovil in Samapura bears chronicles. A rock surface in Akkara 100 Yaya West contains scattered terracotta sherds; Aligala has a rock inscription, steps, building ruins and chronicles. Kossapola has a cave complex with drip ledges. On the grounds of Sadhdhathissa Maha Vidyala there is a rock surface with a drip-ledged cave, steps and graffiti, as well as a construction site with stone pillars.
Water and protected areas
Water is also part of Ampara’s character. Ancient structures lie in the middle of Namal Oya Lake. The Ampara Tank is listed as having a water storage capacity of 7,250 acre-feet. Here you will find two different perspectives: structures in the lake and the stated storage capacity of the tank.
The landscape of Gal Oya North-West Sanctuary includes evergreen forest, scrubland, grassland and chena cultivation areas. Distinct from this is Ampara Sanctuary, also called Galoya Valley North-East Sanctuary: it is densely forested and frequented by elephants and other wildlife. The names and landscape features give a concrete impression of how differently the protected areas are described.
A look beyond Ampara
In the wider travel area, Rajagala is located near Rajagalatenna in Uhana, Ampara District. The forested hill has ruins from various periods dating back to the Early Historic Period. Rajagala thus adds a regional location to the archaeological perspective, without equating its ruins with the sites in Ampara Administrative District.
Practical information
A 2007 assessment of Ampara Town found public transport options inadequate for tourists and the local population at that time. Check current connections before planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Ellekotaliya, Arugam, Ampara, Trincomalee and Batticaloa.
See the broader travel overview: Eastern Province.
