THIRUKKOVIL
Thirukkovil or Tirukovil is a Town in the Ampara District of Sri Lanka, situated along the Eastern coast of the Island. It is located 30 km North of Pottuvil and 35 km south of Kalmunai. In Tamil it translates to God's-temple. It was affected by 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
It was under Batticaloa district and now under Ampara district. It is a famous place for the old Tamil cultures and Temples. It was severely affected by the Tsunami tidal waves of December 26, 2004. Because of the Tsunami, many people lost their relations and properties including houses, livestocks and paddy fields. Now the people are returning back to their normal life with the help of the aid from government and NGOs. there is a murugan temple(sri sithravalayutha suvamy kovil) There have a one popular school , Thambiluvil National College ( TMMV). (Distance - 40 Km from Ampara Town)
MAHAOYA HOT SPRINGS
Mahaoya Hot Springs is located about 2km off Mahaoya town. This is said to be the hottest spring of all the hot springs on Sri Lanka. Here you will find well maintained 7 wells with different temperatures. The temperature of the hottest well is about 56C (133F). Only two wells are of bathing temperature. You can see continuous evaporation of steam from the other wells. You need to pay Rs 50/- to visit the bath. This is charged in form of parking fees for the vehicle. The person who issue tickets also have few buckets which will gladly give you.
Due to the Tamil LTTE terrorists, this area was cut off for the general public for a long time and since the destruction of the LTTE, this area has access able again. Three roads lead to Mahaoya Junction. One from Batticaloa, another from Ampara and the other from Mahiyangana.
The by road leading to the wells are on the Mahiyangana road probably 500 meters from the junction. There is a display board at the turn off or you can ask anybody for the location. Travel about 1.5-2 km on this road reach the wells. (Distance - 55 Km from Ampara Town)
WILGAM RAJAMAHA VIHARAYA
Velgam Vehera is located around 15 km away from Trincomalee by the Trincomalee - Anuradapura Road. According to the historical facts, the Vegam Rajamaha Viharaya was done by king Devanampiyathissa. Later on some additions and renovations were done by first Bathiya, Second Agkbo, first Vijayabahu and first Parakramabahu. The most important point is this temple was that this was warshiped by both Sinhala and Tamil Buddhist. That is one of the reason that Vilgam Vehera was not destroyed by south Indian Chola invasions in 10th century.
This temple was abandoned after Anuradapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms, because people migrated to south part of the country. In the recent past, this area was under LTTE threats and very less people aware about this place. Some renovations happening nowadays and this will be become popular among the devotees coming from the other parts of Sri Lanka. This places is under threat because of the treasure hunters. You can contribute the Velgam Rajamaha Vihara Fund, and the income is exempted from the government tax. (Distance - 11 km from Trincomalee Town)
SASTRAWELA MANI NAGA PABBATHA VIHARAYA
Currently the village of Sastrawela is a tiny speck of habitation situated on the Panama-Pottuvil Road. The village does not even make it into the Survey General’s map. Since the 1980’s many of its inhabitants have fled to Panama due to the unrest in the area. Yet back in the hay day of the Ruhunu Kingdom, Sastrawela was not only well known, but it was considered as an important seat of learning. According to folklore, the name Sastrawela is said to have been derived from the original name Shastraweiliya which indicates that the locality was associated with an institution of learning. The word ‘Shastra’ even roughly means a discipline or an art form. The area is said to have been the abode of many a soothsayer and scholars during ancient times. Legend says that scholars from far away kingdoms and even across the seas from India had travelled to Sastrawela to learn the various disciplines of science and astrology.
The relevance of Sastrawela to the story of Prince Gamini is the fact that it is said that the astrologers that were occupied at the Royal Palace of King Kavantissa hailed from this village. When the royal wedding between the King of Ruhuna, Kavantissa and his bride Princess Vihara Maha Devi was to take place, the astrologers of Sastrawela were consulted to obtain the auspicious times for the various wedding rituals. It is said that after considering the horoscopes of the royal couple, the learned men at Sastrawela determined the auspicious times for the many rituals involved in the marriage of the royals. (Distance - 83 Km from Ampara Town)
