UNP MP Cyril Mathew Report to UNESCO:

Proof Sinhalese were living in the North before

Tamils
Posted by Shenali D Waduge On January 14, 2020 0 Comment

(Courtesy of Lanka Web)

In his capacity as President of the Congress of Buddhist
Associations of State Corporations & President of the
Foundation for the Restoration & Protection of Buddhist
Shrines in Sri Lanka as well as being the Minister of
Industries & Scientific Affairs under the UNP Government,
Minister C Cyril Mathew sent an appeal to UNESCO to
safeguard and preserve the cultural property in Sri Lanka
endangered by racial prejudice, unlawful occupation or
wilful destruction. It was sent on 20 July 1983. The
Sinhala Buddhists owe gratitude to late Cyril Mathew for
this report which clearly establishes that Sinhalese
Buddhists were very much living in the North & East,
Buddhist monasteries prevailed thousands of Buddhist
stupas and architecture prevails and his report will reveal
that if these remains are now missing the separatist
elements among Tamils have purposely destroyed them
and have built other structures on top of them in a
cunning effort to nullify Sinhala Buddhist claims to North.
However, these sites clearly invalidates any homeland
claims by Tamils and should throw into the dustbin all
notions being put forward that the North is the original
homeland of the Tamils. Tamils have no historical right to
claim a separate Tamil Homeland in the North.
Sadly apart from Cyril Mathew we have yet to see present
day politicians make an effort to nullify bogus notions
that have been peddled over the years and accepted by
the international public for lack of counter arguments. It
is reports like these sent to proper authorities that can be
used. We do not need political hysterics on stages
anymore. We need the Sinhala Politicians to now stop
their wailing which are only confined to the political stage
for the next minute they are sipping tea with the very
parties they had been shouting against.

We also would like to see the historians, the academics

who take salaries from the state come out to defend the
nation by using their expert knowledge to refute and
nullify the lies that are being used to establish a division
of the country and a new constitution that would pave the
way for a separate state. The ploy of asking for a little
now and more later has worked well for the separatists
for every year they have gained grounds riding on lies
and well-funded campaigns while the Sinhalese leaders
and parties that should come forward have kept silent.

Looking at the photos taken in 1983 of the remains of

ancient sites is sad that people have stooped so low to
destroy ancient artefacts that present day engineers
cannot even dream of constructing. These were built
without any educational qualifications or PhDs. It should
be made an indictable crime to destroy such and action
must be taken against any religious party or organization
that attempts to build their religious structures over these
ancient remains as we see taking place even now.

The report is also good for the Sinhalese amongst us who

will be surprised to find evidence that Sinhalese
Buddhists were in fact living in the North and would have
been pushed southwards probably due to Tamil Nadu
incursions and invasions and that was how Tamils have
come to migrate and settle in Sri Lanka and why they
were always known as Malabars until 1911 when they
became referred to as Ceylon Tamils. This scenario also
should make everyone worry that if ETCA is signed the
arrival of Indians would leave the Sinhalese nowhere else
to move to other than the sea (a prediction made by
Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala)

Prof. Kartigesu himself said that Tamil settlements in the

North was established only after the middle of the
13th century.
Selective picking of dates and time periods overlooking
the fact that Sinhalese have more right to claim the North
does not give any basis for TNA or its Chief Minister to
make any demands whatsoever. The Sri Lankan
Government and the International Community are doing
injustice to the Sinhalese who built the nation by using
lies to carve out or devolve powers with later intention to
create a separate nation.

Please note these are just a handful of examples to

showcase that the Sinhalese were living in the North very
much before Tamils arrived from South India. Sinhalese
cannot colonize their own land!

SINHALA BUDDHIST SETTLEMENTS IN NORTHERN

PROVINCE
Kurundanmalai
 Ancient site near Kurundankulama in Nedunkarni
(District of Mullaitivu)
 Remains of ancient stupas, ponds, monastic
buildings, image houses and other architectural
embellishments scattered in a large area on a
hillock.
  Kurundapasana vihara built by King Khallatanaga
in 2nd century BC where Sinhalese commentary
called ‘Kurundi Atthakatha” was written.
 The Kurundi vihara was 78 acres, covered 2 roods
and 13 perches in extent.
 It was declared an archaeological reservation by
Gazette No. 7981 of 12th May 1933
 The communal disturbances in August 1981,
during state of emergency individuals had entere
the archaeological reservation without permission
& constructed a tiled roof on the remaining stone
pillars of an ancient image house with the intent
of converting it to a modern Hindu kovil. A section
of the floor inside the image house was concreted
and cemented and a trident planted.
 The stone slab placed before the trident to light
camphor was a sacred foot print stone of the
Buddha.
 Summit of the adjacent stupa mound had been
levelled and cemented also to construct a Hindu
kovil.
 This constituted another violation of Buddhist
sites in Sri Lanka’s North that existed since
2nd century BC.
Samalankulam
 Ancient site in village of Samalankulam in
Vavuniya District containing remains of 2 stupa
mounds and an image house belonging to
Anuradhapura period.
 Statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and a
fragment of a Buddha Statue discovered during
excavations and conservation of image house by
Dept of Archaeology.
 Excavations revealed constructions of 2 periods at
the site.
 However a modern Hindu kovil was being
constructed at site.
 Damage had been done to the site and
archaeological work was done with much
opposition.
 Image house and stupa mounds have been
conserved (don’t know what the situation is after
1983)
Nelukkulam
 Stupa mound 30ft in height in Vavuniya was
destroyed, levelled and cemented and trident put.
 The stupa on a square platform belongs to
Anuradhapura period – 3rd century BC-6th century
AD
 A few yards from the stupa are remains of a
structure with standing stone pillars identified as
monastic building of ancient Buddhist monks.
 Nilav
eri
 Situated ¼ mile from Puttur in Jaffna district
 Ancient well and foundations of an ancient
structure next to an ancient Bodhi Tree
 West of the Bodhi tree are pieces of sculpture,
stone pillars and brickbats scattere.
 Limestone Buddha statue recovered from site is
exhibited in Jaffna archaeological museum (hope
it is still there)
Nedunkerni
 Ancient Buddhist monastic site of Nedunkerni
situate between 20-21 mile posts on road to
Vavuniya from Mullaitivu. (a key LTTE strong-hold
and where severe fighting between LTTE and SL
Army took place)
 Ruins of ancient stupa and extensive monastic
establishment found at site
 Ancient balustrades, guardstones scattered
 4th century AD rock inscriptions at site registers
donation to the monastery
 Ruins belong to a period before the Anuradhapura
period.
Mohantankulam
 Remains of several ancient stupa on site in
Vavuniya
 Entire area with ruins fenced and used as a cattle
shed
  A modern Hindu kovil constructed in front of site
within the ancient vihara premises which still
contains Bodhi tree and a foot print stone.
 Sacred foot print stone indicates site was in active
religious worship since beginning of the Christian
era.
Tadikulam
 2 miles north towards Jaffna on Vavuniya-Jaffna
road
 Remains of ancient stupa, an image house, an
inscription and other ruins has been turned into a
private farm
 Inscription belongs to 2nd century AD, recording a
grant to an ancient monastery
 Inscription has been removed to the residence of
the GA Jaffna district (hope it is still there)
 Remains belong to Anuradhapura period.

SINHALA BUDDHIST SETTLEMENTS IN EASTERN

PROVINCE
The Sri Wardhana Bodhi Tree at Kiliveddi
(Trincomalee District/Eastern Province)
 Ancient Bo Tree near the ancient temple of
Seruvila
 Planted in 3rd century BC by King
Devanampiyatissa.
 According to Dhatuvamsa (Sinhalese text) of the
14th century the Bo Tree belonged to Mangala
Maha Stupa of Seruvila erected by Kavantissa,
father of King Dutugemunu as per wish of the
Buddha.
 However, the Sri Wardhana Bo Tree was actually
planted before the erection of the Stupa by King
Kavantissa in the 2nd century BC.
 According to Bodhivamsa (Sinhalese text) which
gives the history of the Great Bodhi Tree at
Anuradhapura, the Sri Wardhana bo tree was one
of the original saplings that grew out of the first
five berries that appeared on the Bo Tree in
Anuradhapura. This makes Sri Wardhana Bo Tree
second to Great Bo Tree in Anuradhapura in terms
of its sanctity and antiquity.
 The Bo Tree was included as ancient monument
under the Antiquities Ordinance No-9 of 1940
(Cap.188-Legislative Enactment of Ceylon)
 On 4 Nov 1957 under the Village Committee
Ordinance (Sec 40) the land on which the Sri
Wardhana Bodhi Tree (Kiliveddi) of Seruvila stood
was veste in Mallikativu Village Committee.
 It was in 1970 on orders by a Federal Party (ITAK)
MP that branches of this sacred Bo Tree was cut
on the excuse to provide telephone line to the
residence of Thangadorai, another ITAK MP. The
Chief incumbent of the Seruvila Mangala
 Rajamaha Vihara & Chief High Priest of the
Tamandaku East brought this to the attention of
PM Sirimavo, GA Trincomalee, Commissioner of
Archaeology but nothing was done.
 The ACBC made a complaint to the Minister of
Posts & Telecommunications Mr. Kumarasuriyar
against the ITAK MP for Muttur Mr Thangadorai
who got the workmen from the
Telecommunications Dept to cut the branches.
The Minister wrote to the ACBC on 23 Jan 1971
expressing his deep regret.
 In 1971 M H Sirisom the Assistant Commissioner
of Archaeology went with Hon. Min of Cultural
Affairs to inspect site and reported there was no
wall around the land on which the Bo Tree stood
and that work was under way to erect a Kovil in
the adjacent land.
 Minister of Justice Dr. Nissanka Wijeratne visited
the Kiliveddi Bo Tree in Seruvila with S S
Kulatillaka Minister of Cultural Affairs and reported
that he sensed a plan to destroy the Bo Tree by
non-Buddhist vandals and that instructions were
given to officers of the Archaeological Dept to
guard the place.
 The Government Agent of Trincomalee Mr. Eric J
de Silva reported to the Superintended of Police,
Trincomalee Mr Y D Senerat that he was notified
of branches of the Bodhi Tree been cut on 2
August 1976 and the plan was to cut more
branches with the intention to totally destroy it. A
tense situation was arising among Sinhala
Buddhists in the area.
 The GA Mr. Eric de Silva had been told by Mr.
Thangadorai over the telephone that ‘if the Bodhi
 Tree stoon on the land of the Kovil what they do
with it is the responsibility of the people to whom
the Kovil belongs”. 2 days later when the GA
visited the site, there was only a 10ft stump of the
sacred Bodhi Tree which had been venerated by
Buddhists for thousands of years.
 Given the explosive nature of the situation, the
chief incumbent of the Seruvila Mangala
Rajamaha Vihara lodged a complaint to the
Headquarters Inspector of Muttur Police Mr. B M S
B Basnayake. The Muttur Police filed action on 12
August 1976 charging not against the destruction
of a place of worship but a land dispute. The case
was put off due to the Non-Aligned Conference
being held. The case was retaken on 1 April 1977
but the case was dismissed.
 The GA visiting the Bodhi Tree site on 4 April 1977
found that even the main trunk had been
destroyed. What is noteworthy is that while the
case was filed and after its dismissal the entire Bo
Tree had been eradicated.
 The age venerable nayake thera of Seruvila struck
with grief sent letters to the President, the PM,
Minister of Cultural Affairs, IGP, GA, Commissioner
of Archaeology and the Head Quarters Inspector
of Muttur.
 After change of government in July 1977, it
emerged that an unlawful construction of a new
Hindu Kovil had commence on the site where the
historic Bodhi Tree stood (there were now 2 Hindu
kovils). All evidence of the existence of the Bodhi
Tree had been obliterated.
 The premises of the Bodhi Tree containing ruins of
stone pillars that came under the Village
 Committee of Mallikativu in 1957 had violated the
statutory provision honoured since 1815.
 Between 1970-77 a calculate scheme was
executed to destroy the Bodhi Tree, obliterate the
ruins of the Bodhighara and reduce the shrine to
bare land. The Sirimavo Govt took no steps to
safeguard it and failed to uphold the constitution
which undertook to ‘safeguard and protect
Buddhism’.
 A memorandum was submitted the President by
the Seruvila Sacred City Development Society on
27 June 1979. A Presidential Order was given that
the land on which the Sri Wardhana Kilivedda
Bodhi Tree stood was to be taken over by the
Dept of Archaeology on 29 Nov 1979 as an
archaeological reserve.
Kucceveli rock inscriptions
 Small fishing village in Kaddukulam East, 21 miles
to the North of Trincomalee
 Dr. E Muller in his ‘Ancient Inscriptions of Ceylon’
writes this is a solitary rock close to the sea which
bears a fragment of an inscription in the
characters of the 7th century. The country is now
inhabited almost exclusively by Tamils, but at that
time it must have been Sinhalese as we can see
not only from this inscription but also from the
remains of a Buddhist temple found at Nattana
Kovil about 3 miles west of Nilaveli (8 miles from
Trincomalee) and close to the bund of
Periyankulam tank”.
Sembimalai
 Situated a few miles from Kuccaveli contains
remains of extensive Buddhist monastic
establishment dating to early Anuradhapura
period.
 Remains of large stupa mounds, sacred foot-print-
stones, monastic buildings and Buddha images
can be seen at site.
 A large Buddha statue 8ft in height was seen in
the beginning of Oct 1978 when the GA
Trincomalee visited. It was missing when the
District Revenue Officer of the area went to visit
the site on 25th Oct 1978.
 Indications revealed the statue had been dragged
down the precipice prior to removal
 The statue was subsequently recovered by
Archaeological Officers 6miles away from
Sembimalai near a modern Hindu kovil.
 Excavation at the site exposed remains of 2 early
stupas which are being conserved by the
Archaeology Dept.
 The ancient foundation of the vihara extends
beyond the new Hindu kovil.
 A 1st century AD rock inscription discovered at site
gives the name vihara.
Vilankulam
 Ancient monastery near Vilankulam tank bund on
Trincomalee Kantalai Rd in district of Trincomalee
 Site contains a stupa mound dated to
Anuradhapura period.
 Entire site is replete with ancient brick-bats and
other ruins dated to 3rd century BC-6th century AD.
 Site had been occupied by non-Sinhalese and
occupants had converted site to a farm and a well
had been dug cutting through the stupa to
provide water.
 Land containing the ruins are 10 acres and
declared an archaeological reservation.
Pulukunawa
  Pulukunawa is situated in the village of
Pulukunawa in Eruvil Porathivu and Manmunai
AGA’s division in the district of Batticoloa.
 Pulukunawa archaeological reserve is a large
forested hill with large numbers of dripledged
caves. These caves have inscriptions which record
the donation of the caves of Buddhist monks.
 The flat area below the hill are remains of ancient
structures.
 A Dagoba dug into by treasure hunters, pillared
structures and a dried pond
 A prakara (ancient boundary wall) also seen
 Inscriptional evidence proves the site is pre-
christian era. Other ruins dates to 6th, 7th, and
8th century AD
 Site inspected on 15th Jan 1982 by Asst
Commissioner of Archaeology – ruins on the
hillock had been disturbed by unauthorized chena
cultivation.
 Stone pillars have been removed while attempts
made to remove other pillars and spur stone.
Rahatgala / Santimalai
 Site situated about 8miles beyond Pulunkunawa
towards Batticoloa jungle.
 25 acres remains of ancient buildings visible and
 3 new Hindu kovils erected on top of 3 ancient
image houses
 The rocky area beyond pond can be seen 3
double-platform buildings and remains of several
ancient structures belonging to 7th, 8th centuries
AD.
Kanchikudichchiaru site
 Proposed archaeological site in Tirukovil AGA’s
division in Amparai District
  Site can be approached from Kanchankudi
junction on Akkaraipattu Pottuvil road.
 Site surveyed in 1974 and to be declared
archaeological reserve and delay in handing over
to Archaeological Dept because relevant files
have gone missing from the Ampara Kachcheri.
 Remains of 2 hillocks on either side of tank bund
with ancient stupa mound 20ft in height.
 A new Hindu kovil being constructed in area
 11 excavated caves contain pre-christian Brahmi
inscription recording gift of the cave and tank to
Buddhist monks which means a forest monastery
existed at the site.
Ettama-Pottuvil
 Remains of a Buddhist vihara and a stupa
 At present a modern Hindu kovil is found at site.
 Bricks of stupa used to construct huts
 Site has a beautiful footprint of Buddha carved on
a rock boulder.
 Number of ancient buildings at site denotes
Buddhist monastic establishment.
Sangamankanda
 3 miles from Pottuvil-Akkaraipattu main road is
Sangamankanda are remains of a few ancient
stupas and monastic buildings.
 These ruins are remains of an early monastic
establishment belonging to early Anuradhapura
period.
 Non-Buddhists occupying area pose a threat to
existing ruins at site.
Kottadicolai
 New hindu kovil called Tanton-isvara kovil in
district of Batticaloa constructed over ruins of an
ancient Buddhist vihara
  Remains of the site are a Yupa stone of a stupa,
ancient brickbats, stone pillars, stone seats and
stupa mound
 Yupa stone (stone pillar of the stupa) indicates
stupa belongs to earliest phase of stupa
construction in Sri Lanka.
Nelugala
 Situated in Batticoloa district
 Vast ancient monastic complex containing
remains of several stupa mounds and image
houses.
 Ancient caves with dripledges which were
monastic cells of Buddhist monks and natural
water holes on the extensive rocky area bespeaks
the antiquity of the place going back to the time
Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the
3rd century BC.
 Buddha statues and other objects of antiquity and
religious worship are missing from site.
 Inscription of 2nd century AD at site records grants
to the monastery. (hope these also are available
Taravakulam
 Ancient site situated on road to Vadamunai
through Vakaneri in Batticoloa district
 Stone pillars and remains of ancient buildings
visible at site
 Existing remains evidence of extensive monastery
belonging to Anuradhapura period
Kavudagala
 Situated in the vicinity of the tank called
Omandiamadukulam on Trincomalee road from
Valaichchenai in district of Batticoloa.
 The stupa mound on one of the hillocks has been
dug by treasure hunters
  Site is replete with guard stones, stone pillars and
other remains of ancient monastic buildings
 Plain guard stones and moonstone at site has
been removed and is now used as an alter stone
at a modern Hindu kovil. Removal has caused
guardstone and few steps to be broken and
damaged.
 Bricks of ancient stupa used for the construction
of a modern house too.
Kirimetiaru
 Situated 3 miles from Pottuvil in Amparai district.
 Site contains a stupa mound used as a large cattle
shed
 By the side of the stupa mound are few stone
pillars and ruins which extend to adjoining lands.
Samudragiri
 9 miles from Seruvila
 Ancient sea-port called Lankapatuna are remains
of an ancient stupa and image house.
 A modern hindu kovil is being constructed at site
 Place was sanctified by landing of Prince Kalinga
who brought the sacred Tooth-Relic of Buddha to
Sri Lanka in 3rd century AD.
 Ancient port and port city at the place.

Sunethravewa
 Situated in Kantalai in district of Trincomalee
 Modern Hindu kovil constructed covering the
Buddhist monuments at site
 Architectural members of ancient Buddhist
monuments scattered all over the place and have
been used in the construction of the new kovil
building
 Moonstone slabs, lotus pedestal stones and other
antiquities found in abundance at site.
Gokarnna Vihara
 Ancient district of Gokarnna (Pali form is Gokanna
mentioned in Chronicles of Mahavamsa and
Culavamsa) and medieval inscriptions lies in area
of Fort Fredrick
 Several pre-christian Brahmi (ancient Sinhala)
inscriptions and about 150 ancient sites with
visible Buddhist remains discovered in the area is
evidence that Sinhalese Buddhist settlements
prevailed in Trincomalee at least since 2nd century
BC if not from 5th century BC.
 Sanskrit inscription written in Grantha characters
of 13th century discovered within Fort Fredrick
gives name of site as Gokarnna which is the
ancient name of modern Trincomalee
 The writings of Portuguese historian De Queroz
mentions of Francis Xavier trying to convert a
Buddhist monk who was chief incumbent of the
Vihara built by King Mahasena. This proves that a
Buddhist monastery existed continuously upto the
17th century till it was destroyed by the
Portuguese to build the Fort at Trincomalee.