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ARCHEOLOGIST MEDHANANDA TELLS RANIL THOPPIGALA AREA WAS THE BIRTHPLACE OF SURANIMALA AND MANY NATIONAL TREASURES ARE BURIED THEREBy Walter JayawardhanaArcheologist Venerable Ellawela Medhananda, rejected the notion expressed
by United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe that Thoppigala,
just captured from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is simply
an insignificant jungle and said it is an area buried with archeological
treasures very significant to Sri Lankas history including the
birthplace of Suranimala, an ancient war hero who helped to liberate
Sri Lanka from foreign yoke during the Anuradhapura civilization. He said according to some of his own research one of the mountainous
regions called Nelugala, close to Thoppigala in the area just taken
over from the Tamil Tigers, has been identified as the birthplace of
the ancient war hero Suranimala , whose heroic military efforts are
vividly described in the epic historical chronicle called Maha Vamsa
or Great Chronicle. The chronicle records historical chronology of the
island nation from the 6th century BC to the 4th century AC. Suranimala was a General of King Dutugemunu who reigned from 161 BC
to 137 BC renowned for defeating the usurping King Elara of India who
reigned in Anuradhapura. Suranimala was among the most important warriors
in the ancient war expedition to Anuradhapura from Ruhuna and the others
were Nandimithra, Mahasona,Theraputtabhaya, Gotaimbara, Gotabhaya, Bharana,
Vasabha, Velusumana and Pussadeva. Archeologist Venerable Medhananda said, an ancient stone inscription
found in Nelugala reveals that the village in Nelugala called Kottiwela
settlement was the birthplace of Suranimala. He said according to his research he has identified 114 abandoned ancient
irrigation tanks in the area and only one has been restored so far.
He said the only tank restored was built during erecting a dam across
Maduru Oya which is able to supply water to 10,000 acres of farmland.
He said the ancient irrigation works in the area prove it was a granary
of ancient Sri Lanka and it is not an insignificant jungle as some politicians
attempted to indicate. He said surrounding Thoppigala there are Motagala, Nelugala, Wesibendagala,
Atubendagala and Keviligala and all are connected with Sri Lankas
ancient civilization. Venerable Ellawela Medhananda said there are very many ancient religious
monuments still to be excavated in the area and people shouldnt
simply say that Thoppigala area is an insignificant jungle. Venerable Medhananda said apart from the significance of the area as
a strategic place to provide security to the Eastern Province it is
definitely an important area where very many national treasures are
still buried of our national heritage |
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