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Archaeological Protected Monuments in Sri Lanka

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The archaeological heritage of Sri Lanka can be divided into three ages; Prehistoric (Stone-age), Protohistoric (Iron age), and historical period. The presence of man activities in Sri Lanka probably dates from 75,000 years ago (late Pleistocene period). Prehistoric sites which are presently identified in the country are distributed from the maritime belt and the lowland plains of the wet and dry zones to the high plateaus and rain forests in the central and southwestern mountain regions of the island. The protohistoric period expands from about 1000 BC to the historical period at about 500 BC. The main indicators of the distribution of protohistoric and early settlements on the island are the megalithic burials and pottery sites.

The beginning of the historical period of Sri Lanka is traditionally assigned to the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa (307–267 BC) when the Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka by the missionaries sent by the Indian emperor Ashoka. However, the first clear information about the establishment of buildings and structures are dated back to the time of king Pandukabhaya (437–367 BC).

Sri Lanka's political and religious history is mainly set out by the ancient chronicles as well as over 4,000 stone inscriptions from the 3rd century BC onward. Which gives the history in considerable detail from the 3rd century and less reliably back to the 6th century BC.

Sri Lanka has more than 250,000 identified archaeological sites throughout the country[1] and some of them have been declared as archaeological reserves and protected monuments by the Sri Lanka archaeological department. Archaeological reserves are sites that consist of archaeological remains which are under the direct control of the archaeological department. Protected monuments are privately owned but scheduled under section 18 of the Antiquities Ordinance No.09 of 1940.

Declaration of monuments

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According to sections 16, 17, 18, and 19 of the Antiquities Ordinance No.09 of 1940, the minister who is in charge of the subject may declare the ancient monuments by notification published in the government Gazette.[2] Also under sections 16, 17, and 19, ancient buildings and trees on state or private lands, may be declared as ancient monuments to provide safety and protection for them.

Ancient construction with a historical and archaeological value which are over 100 years of age can also be declared as ancient monuments in terms of the provisions of the Antiquities (Amendment) Act No. 24 of 1988.

Central Province

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Kandy District

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Matale District

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Nuwara Eliya District

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Eastern Province

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Ampara District

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Batticaloa District

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Monument Image Location Grama
Niladhari
Division
Divisional
Secretary's
Division
Registered Description Refs
Batticaloa fort Batticaloa Town Batticaloa [3]
Pulukunawa Raja Maha Vihara Eruwilporativu Manmunai Pattu The Drip-ledged caves, Dagobas, pillared structures, Asanagharas, ponds and a torso of a Buddha image [4]

Trincomalee District

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North Central Province

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Anuradhapura District

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Polonnaruwa District

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Monument Image Location Grama
Niladhari
Division
Divisional
Secretary's
Division
Registered Description Refs
Dimbulagala Raja Maha Vihara Dimbulagala 211-Dimbulagala Dimbulagala 24 May 1957 [5]
Halmillawewa Ruins Halmillawewa 32-Gal Oya Hingurakgoda 23 February 2007 Ancient Dagaba and ruins of buildings situated in the forest area close to Halmillawewa [6]
Kaudagala Forest Monastery Kurulubedda 282-Mahindagama Welikanda 20 March 2017 Ruins of ancient stupas,ruins of buildings,caves with drips and paintings situated in the forest area close to Kaudagala [7]
Medirigiriya Vatadage Medirigiriya 87-Medirigiriya Medirigiriya
Nagalakanda Mahasen Monastery Minneriya
Namal Pokuna Monastery Dimbulagala Dimbulagala
Silumina Seya Aralaganwila
Unagalawehera Rajamaha Viharaya Unagalawehera 52-Unagalavehera West Hingurakgoda
Somawathiya Chaitya Meenvillu 137-Sungawila Lankapura 7 July 1967 The Stupa [8]

North Western Province

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Kurunegala District

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Puttlam District

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Northern Province

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Jaffna District

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Kilinochchi District

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Mannar District

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Mullaitivu District

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Vavuniya District

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Sabaragamuwa

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Kegalle District

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Ratnapura District

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Southern Province

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Galle District

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Hambantota District

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Matara District

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Uva

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Badulla District

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Monaragala District

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Western Province

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Colombo District

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Gampaha District

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Kalutara District

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "History of the Department of Archeology". Sri Lanka archaeological department. Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Exploration and Documentation Division#Declaring of Ancient Monuments". Sri Lanka archaeological department. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  3. ^ The Hansard report
  4. ^ "Pulukunava". Department of Archaeology. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  5. ^ "Gazette". The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 11119. 24 May 1957.
  6. ^ Gazette 1486 & 23 February 2007, p. 12.
  7. ^ "Kaudagala Forest Monastery" (PDF). Department of Archeological, Sri Lanka.
  8. ^ "Gazette". The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 14756. 7 July 1967.

Notes

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