Belilena Cave: Where Balangoda Man Lived
Moderate · Kegalle District · Sabaragamuwa Province
Belilena is a prehistoric cave near Kitulgala where people lived from about 30,000 to 9,000 years ago. Excavations by the Department of Archaeology between 1978 and 1983 found the remains of ten individuals attributed to Balangoda Man, along with stone tools and traces of fire.
What you’ll walk through
The cave lies about 8 km from Kitulgala, in the forested Kelani valley. The excavation site is near the mouth. The interior goes much deeper: exploring it needs a rope or rope ladder, and the passages beyond an inner lake have never been fully explored.
Do not go beyond the mouth of the cave without a guide and the right equipment.
Access & permits
An Archaeological Reserve under the Department of Archaeology. We could not confirm any ticket or fee.
Key landmarks & features
- Excavation site - Where remains attributed to Balangoda Man were found.
- Microliths - Stone tools around 30,000 years old.
- Inner lake - The limit of the explored cave.
- Kelani valley - The forested valley around Kitulgala.
When to go
Any dry day; the approach is slippery in rain.
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