National Namal Uyana and its treasure trove of history  This wonderful land compris-ing of various environmental features is situated in the Ulpotha- gama, Galkiriyagama Village within the Palagala Divisional Secretariat area of the Anuradhapura District. Namal Uyana is situated 159 km away from Colombo and six kilometres towards the west from Madatugama junction into the dry zone.

Pink quartze mountain range, Ruins of Na mal maha seya, The Samadhi Buddha statue on the hill and Ven. Rahula Thero,

Archaeological ruins, a  pink quartze deposit, na gomuwa, and various animal and plant species are found here. This na arana blessed with the foot steps of arahaths who lived in the past is a blessing to the entire country. National Namal Uyana can be reached by travelling upto Madatugama through Rangiri Dambulla on the Anuradhapura Road, turn left and proceeding six kilometers.

Specialty

The main specialty here is the potential for archeological, botanical, biological research which would lead to the revelation of much information regarding Buddhist heritage and culture. There is a diverse environmental set up specially suited for such research. According to research by the Archaeological Faculty of the Peradeniya University, this has been declared as an archaeological reserve by notification in the Gazette on November 12, 2001 under reference LDB 277/40.

According to the above research report, Namal Uyana is archaeologically important for five main reasons: this comprises of a pink quartze range which is a valuable mineral; presence of old Na trees matured in a natural form and appearing to be a planned vegetation; presence of ruins belonging to several eras running from pre- Christian to Christian period; existence of connections /relationships to places such as Ibbankatuwa, Anakatawa having an archaeological value and running back to pre-historic periods; places such as Budugehinna, Digam- patha and Wanasingha Vihara; names of many villages and tanks in the area having names derived from natural sources.

However, in the research report prepared by Rev. Mahinda regarding this historic Namal Uyana, it is stated that  to arrive at a final conclusion, more archaeological excavations have to be done.

Pink-quartze deposit

The quartze deposit is spread over an extent of 105 hectares and is the largest in South Asia. 500 million years old. Light green clusters of foliage are found from bottom to top of this deposit along ridges. The light pink colours can be seen from the light green background which is a spectacular sight. The moonlit sky, the pink quartze deposit illuminated by the moonlight, the Buddhist statue resting in Samadhi bliss, would develop lightness of mind in anybody. The pink quartze range full of natural beauty belong to a superior stone category. According to research done by  chemists, the mineral known as silicon dioxide is available in the pink quartze. It is connected together by atomic molecules and consists of a large mesh. The silicon mineral in the silicon dioxide is effused by the vitanium mineral and thereafter takes the place of vitanium mineral and hence the pink colour.

Discovery of pearls made of pink quartze in the sites subjected to archaeological excavations and the use of pink quartze to decorate the windows of the Taj Mahal built by Moghul Emperor in memory of his wife reveal that pink quartze had been obtained from this deposit for decorative purposes. The archaeological investigations carried out by Bandu Weerawardane in the year 2000 has established that this pink quartze deposit is the only stone deposit, 250 million years old with a deposit of old plant fossils.

The pink quartze is used for making windscreens of vehicles and for turning out certain parts of computers. Wearing a ring of silver or gold with pink quartze touching the body prevents physical defects caused by computers, mobile telephones, etc. and gives mental consolation according to latest reserch.

Na community

The Na tree grows in wet zone countries such as Sri Lanka, India, Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, Andaman Islands, etc. The Na tree was declared the National tree of our country on February 26, 1986 during the time of President Ranasinghe Premadasa. Two species of Na have been identified in Sri Lanka: batu na and diya na. The Na tree which is known as Meshua feraya and Meshua nagasariyam has a medicinal value too. The five portions of this plant' have the quality of preventing the pain in joints, jaundice, heart ailments etc.

It is believed that keeping Na resin bring happiness and prosperity to the household.This tree grows upto a height of about 25 to 30ft. and the trunk comprises of strong wood. The weight of 1 cu.ft of wood is about 40kg. The tender leaves are pink in colour and the Sinhala poets compared those to that of the lips of women. Na wood is used for temples and devalas. It is not used for constructing houses as there is a belief that it is connected to the gods. The Na trees in the Namal Uyana appear to have been planted in an order. They grow like clusters of bamboo plants and during the flowering season the entire area gets fragrant. The Na flower comprising of many features is certainly pleasant to look at. The Na fruits burst spreading the seeds which causes regeneration. A Na tree community about 2000 years old is spread over an area of 260 acres resulting in the purification of water and killing of germs. The Na tree occupies a special place in Buddhism. Paduma and Revatha Buddhas attained enlightenment at the foot of Na trees, and the (bodhi) tree under which the future Maithriya Bosath would attain enlightenment also would be a Na tree. A short while in the na gomuwa enjoying the fragrance of the flowers would give one enormous satisfaction.

Animal and plant species

In addition to the Na community, other valuable plants have been identified in the Namal Uyana. Some of those are ebony, mille, godakirala, panakka, wewarana and halmilla. Also there are 72 species of medicinal herbs, 18 species of birds, some of which are confined to Sri Lanka, and 75 species of ants too have been identified. The butterfly occupies a prominent place among them. There are also a number of mammal species. The elephant, deer and the monkey are prominent among them. There are also reptiles and amphibious animals. Two of those species are confined to this forest. Poisonous and non-poisonous reptiles such as cameleon, cobra, mapila, polanga, habarala, kunakatuwa also live here. A special type of oyster  too is found here. It belongs to the moluska animal category and is believed to have been used as a food item by ancient people. Its body is covered with a shell.

Varieties of soil

According to the research report  of the Peradeniya University, three varieties of soil have been identified. They are: soil associated with not so tall plants in small patches in the pink quartze deposit subjected to soil erosion in an elevation of 180 to 325 meters above sea level; soil associated with not so tall plants and cluster vegetation in an elevation of 100 to 180 meters above sea level; soil associated with vegetation in two layers in the area 150 meters above sea level. Although there is not much of a plant diversity in the upper portion of the range, such diversity is seen in the lower area.

Namal Uyana stands as a shield to protect the waters of the Balaluwewa and Thalawewa. Streams flowing from this feed several tanks. Species of fish such as lula, kanaya, angutta which are peculiar to Sri Lanka are found in these streams. Elephants too inhabit this area. This forest is similar in environmental features to the Kahalla forest situated 12 kilometers to the west and Pallekele forest situated eight  kilometers to the south-west.

Namal Uyana is hundreds of thousand years old . The lay-out formation of the Na trees indicate that it is an ancient park. The ruins are important Buddhist monuments. These ruins can be studied under two parts. The stupa belong to the early Anuradhapura era. Presence of a bodhigara reflects that there had been a very ancient bodhi tree. The foundation with stone pillars leads to the presumption that there was an uposathagaraya (poyage). The fact that there had been arahaths here is supported by the views expressed by a prominant archaeological investigator,  Bandu Wijewardena. He states that renovations have been carried out here from the period of King Devanampiyatissa upto the reign of King Dapula IV.

Regarding the second part of these ruins, it can be presumed that there had been a complex of buildings connected to each other. These buildings had been located on the south-western boundary of the pink quartze hill and 72 stone steps had been cut to reach them.

Vanavasi Rahula Thera

We were able to learn many facts about Namal Uyana  because of Rahula Thera. A part of nature, Rahula Thera has an unlimited affection for this environment. According to Rahula  Thera, this treasure which had got shielded from the outside world for many years had been rendevous for hunters, treasure robbers and timber dealers and it is he who protected  Namal Uyana from such harmful elements and conserved it to its present form.

The reasons which led to his arrival at  Namal Uyana and his living in a hut built on a tree surrounded by elephants, leopards, bears etc., leads to the belief that he had in one of his previous births lived in Namal Uyana. He holds the view that Namal Uyana should be converted to a centre for environmental education and research, and also to enhance the economy of the people living in the area by developing the tourist industry. He has taken several steps in this regard with all governments which were in power without political discrimination.

Reintroducing Namal Uyana to the nation on March 28, 1991, establishing a trust for its conservation and development on August 21, 2003, and taking necessary steps to make it a World Heritage Site  are examples. His expectation by all these activities is to conserve, develop and protect Namal Uyana for the future . Wanawasi Rahula Thera has been honoured with the titles "Parisara Vibbushana," "Sri Lanka Haritha", Indian "Seda Salu" and "Parisara Vedi Sasana Jothi." He emphasises that we should all get together to protect the diminishing wealth of forests.

Namal Uyana is located in close proximity of historic shrines such as Dambulla, Sigiriya, Avukana, Vijithapura, Kalawewa, etc. Those who visit these places can also visit Namal Uyana. The specialty here is that one can enjoy tranquility, coolness and fresh air in one location.

The website of Namal Uyana is www.jnu.lk