June 17, 2013, 9:56 pm


by Karunaratne Gamage, Polonnaruwa Corr.


The ancient Kaduruwela Menik Vehera at Manikkampattiya in Kaduruwaela has been destroyed by a fire.


Polonnaruwa police said they believed that the incident had occurred either on Sunday night or during the early hours of yesterday (17).


The ancient Chaitiya belonging to the early Anuradhapura Period, is believed to have been built by King Dutugemunu.


The base of the dagoba is made of bricks with a figure of a lion looking ahead. A rock inscription assigned to King Nissanka Malla has been found there. The quadrangle is made of bricks.




Villagers have told the police that they had sighted a big snake near the temple on Sunday night and it had slithered towards the Chaitiya. They said some persons may have set fire to the ruins in the vicinity to kill the snake.


Further investigations are being conducted under the instructions of the Polonnaruwa HQI Sathis Gamage by the Archaeological Unit of the Polonnaruwa police. A separate investigation is being conducted by the Department of Archaeology.