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.
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.
| 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] | |||
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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] |
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Haldummulla is a town in the Badulla District, Uva Province, Sri Lanka.
Pilikuththuwa Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Cave temple situated in Pilikuththuwa, Sri Lanka. It is located on the Gampaha - Wathurugama road approximately 3.8 km (2.4 mi) away from the Miriswatta junction and 1.6 km (0.99 mi) from the ancient Buddhist temple, Maligatenna Raja Maha Vihara. The temple has been formally recognised by the Government as an archaeological site in Sri Lanka.
The Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs is an ancient burial site located near Ibbankatuwa Wewa in Galewela DS, Sri Lanka. The site is thought to belong to the megalithic prehistoric and protohistoric periods of Sri Lanka and is considered one of the several ancient burial sites that have been found in the country. The site is situated on the Kurunegala - Dambulla road approximately five kilometers southwest of Dambulla town. Currently, the tomb site has been designated an archaeological protected site in Sri Lanka.