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The name “Thoppigala” became so popular in recent years due to听the salvage operation听carried out by the 91传媒n Army in the path of eradicating the terrorism 听from 91传媒. But other than that, most do听not听know the significant and ancient facts about this locale.
Recently Prof听M. W. Wimal Wijeratne of University of Sri Jayawardenepura 听has published a more interesting research about Thoppigala.
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Thoppigala听is听located in Batticaloa District. It is听also known as Baran’s Cap and Kudumbimalai.听Kudumbimalai inTamil听translates to Hair-knot-rock听and another Tamil name for the region is Thoppikkal, which translates to Hat-rock, hence in Sinhala听it is called Thoppigala. British colonists from the past, named the rock as Baron’s Cap.
Thoppigala听was not accessible for many years due to LTTE activities. it was a rendezvous point that they could control Polonnaruwa, Ampara and Batticalloa from there because of听the significant Geo-position and formation of the rock. It is surrounded by broad听planes, rivers, tanks and thick jungle and on the top of the rock, one could see so far around.
It also has some archaeologically important ruins of ancient Buddhist temple and a Pagoda
Cave remnants听
carving-less Sandakadapahana (moonstone)
Prof听M. W. Wimal Wijeratne in his research has made听a long description on the historical references written about听this听site such as; 听Sihalawaththuppakaranaya(4 A.D.), Sahassawaththuppakaranaya(10 A.D.), Rasawahiniya(13 A.D.) and Saddharmalankaraya(14 A.D.)
Read听the听complete听article here–听
