{"id":106546,"date":"2022-12-29T14:09:17","date_gmt":"2022-12-29T14:09:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=106546"},"modified":"2024-01-05T04:45:42","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T04:45:42","slug":"thoppigala-spectacular-archetypal-inselberg-by-arundathie-abeysinghe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/thoppigala-spectacular-archetypal-inselberg-by-arundathie-abeysinghe\/","title":{"rendered":"Thoppigala \u2013 spectacular archetypal inselberg – By Arundathie Abeysinghe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thoppigala \u2013 spectacular archetypal inselberg – By Arundathie Abeysinghe<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Thoppigala\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Image Source :\u00a0dilmahtea<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"ArundathieThe highest peak located between *Dimbulagala near *Polonnaruwa and the East Coast situated 543 meters above sea level, the inselberg \u201cThoppigala\u201d (in Sinhala) and \u201cKudumbimalai\u201d (in Tamil) meaning \u201chair-knot\u201d rock is surrounded by protected dry zone scrub jungle within an area of 400 square kilometers. The nearest village Manamptiya situated approximately 14 kilometers away from Thoppigala was developed due to the Mahaweli Irrigation Scheme. Thoppigala is also part of the traditional *Veddah<\/em> community situated in the vicinity of the Maduru Oya National Park abundant with large herds of deer, elephants and leopards that are roaming in the wilderness between Thoppigala and Maduru Oya. This rocky edged mountain was also known as \u201cPiyagalaka Agali Pawatha\u201d in the past.<\/span><\/p>\n

The British had called this enormous spectacular monadnock as \u201cBaron\u2019s Cap\u201d (during the British Colonial Era) due its distinctive shape of a hat.<\/span><\/p>\n

Situated approximately 40 kilometers away from *Batticaloa, amidst a thick jungle, Thoppigala had played many significant roles in Sri Lanka\u2019s history. According to archaeologists, the rocky mountain and the surrounding jungle had been the venue of a huge monastery constructed during the *Anuradhapura era. There are diverse stone inscriptions on different locations of the mountain with descriptions of donations by King Kaniththatissa (165-193) to the monastery complex. According to an expedition carried out in 1983 by prominent scholars, there had been remains of a huge stupa<\/em> (dagoba<\/em>) in Thoppigala.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scholars are of the view that centuries ago, the location has been the dwelling site of *Arhats.<\/span><\/p>\n

During recent years, Thoppigala became well-known due to the \u201cBattle of Thoppigala\u201d, a major battle between Sri Lanka Army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fought during 2007 over control of the LTTE-dominated peak of Thoppigala. Due to the three-decade civil war that took place between Sri Lanka Army and LTTE that engulfed the Eastern and Northern Provinces of Sri Lanka (since early 1980s), archeological research could not be carried out in the location.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thoppigala is also a location with geostrategic significance due to the formation of the rock surrounded by broad plains, rivers, tanks as well as thick jungle. From the summit of the Rock, the surrounding area could be seen for kilometers, an advantage for those occupying the location as invading armies from the valleys could be easily seen.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the three-decade long war against LTTE terrorists, Thoppigala played a significant role. Surrounded by rocky terrain and thick jungle the mountain was an ideal location to wage guerrilla warfare. Thoppigala has also been utilized by the LTTE as a base camp from which they launched attacks on Sinhalese villages in the surrounding area, thereby, ethnically cleansing old villages and its population. In 2007, the LTTE camp in the location was captured by the Army.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thoppigala has played diverse stages in history; a dwelling site of Arhats, a camp site of the LTTE, a battle ground between the Army and the LTTE, a nature lovers\u2019 paradise as well as a biodiversity hotspot with the surrounding jungle and wildlife (at present).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Thoppigala\"<\/p>\n

Declared open in April 2013, Thoppigala Heritage Park situated within the location is a nature conservation project launched by Dilmah Conservation, with the assistance of the Forest Department and Sri Lanka Army. The Heritage Park also comprises the Thoppigala Memorial, dedicated to the lives lost during the battle of Sri Lankan armed forces against LTTE guerilla camp in the Eastern Province. The war memorial constructed at the location commemorates the Army\u2019s victory over the LTTE. The exhibition area features diverse stages of the Civil War; photographs, models and display units showcase the significant role played by the Sri Lanka Army during the war.<\/span><\/p>\n