JSC VISITS LOCATIONS OF ARCHEOLOGICAL VALUES: EXERCISE HISTORY WATCH

Student Officers of Junior Staff Course 26 (JSC) undergoing training at Army War College (AWC) Buttala joined the ‘History Watch Exercise’ made an educational visit to places with ancient and historical value in the Uwa Province on 24 May 2024. The visit was organized as a part of the curriculum of the course in studying and enhancement of knowledge in historically valuable archaeological sites to experience an absolute learning environment.

The Student Officers on the visit first embarked into the ancient temple of Katugahagalge Cave where they learned about the historical value of Katugahagalge Rajamaha Viharaya. It is an ancient cave temple whose origin dates back to the pre-Christian era, and it has some unique features. According to folklore the temple is believed to be built by King Walagamba during the period he was building up an army from the South to take back the throne which was seized by Indian invaders in 104 BC.

Then, the exploring crowd stopped at Yudaganawa Ancient Temple located close to Buttala town on the Wellawaya– Buttala Road. It is one of the largest Stupas in the country and dates back to the 2nd century BC. This is thought to have been built by the great king Dutugemunu.

Thereafter, they also visited the Budurauwagala temple which is an ancient Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The complex consists of seven statues that belong to the Mahayana school of thought. The gigantic Buddha statue still bears traces of its original stuccoed robe and a long streak of orange suggests it was once brightly painted. The central of the three figures to the Buddha's right is thought to be the Buddhist mythological figure Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. To the left of this white-painted figure is a female figure in the thrice-bent posture.

Having visited the Maligawila temple where they explored the Maligawila Buddha statue and the nearby Dambegoda statue now again attracts large numbers of pilgrims. Once the Maligawila statue and the nearby Dambegoda statue belonged to a single monastic complex of which only foundation walls remain.

As the last experience of the student Officers’ itinerary, the Student Officers along with the faculty, whilst sightseeing the ancient archaeological sites, arrived at Dematamal Viharaya, an ancient Buddhist temple in Okkampitiya village in the Monaragala district. The Stupa of Dematamal Viharaya is considered one of the oldest Stupas in Sri Lanka built in the 2nd century BC.

Altogether 26 Student Officers, members of the directing staff that consisted of Senior Instructor JSC, and along with Directing Staff and other faculty members joined the visit.