Sacred City of Anuradhapura

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Sacred City of Anuradhapura from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• A GIS-MCDA Based Evaluation of the Quality of Life Variations in Anuradhapura Municipal Council: A Policy Implication Road Map for Human Well-being

  A significant spatial disparity in quality of life (QoL) within Anuradhapura Municipal Council was identified, with only 10.6% of the area classified as having the highest QoL, primarily concentrated in the city center and northern regions. This study, utilizing a GIS-MCDA framework combined with AHP for criteria weighting, revealed that essential socio-economic resources are heavily centralized, leaving 39.7% and 10.4% of areas in low and least QoL categories, respectively. The analysis further showed that the highest QoL zone extends only 1.5 km from the city center, covering just 20% of the land area. These findings provide a critical roadmap for policy-makers to redistribute resources and foster balanced regional development, addressing human well-being disparities in Anuradhapura.

  Wijesinghe, W. M. D. C., & Withanage, W. K. N. C. (2025). A GIS-MCDA Based Evaluation of the Quality of Life Variations in Anuradhapura Municipal Council: A Policy Implication Road Map for Human Well-being. Journal of Geospatial Surveying, 5(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.4038/jgs.v5i1.62

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• A Virtual Reality Immersive Experience of Sri Lanka's Sacred Heritage: VR Meditation Experience at the Ruwanweli Maha Seya using Heart Rate and HRV Tracking

  A five-minute VR meditation session at Sri Lanka's Ruwanweli Maha Seya, part of the UNESCO-listed Sacred City of Anuradhapura, demonstrated measurable physiological benefits: a 5.4 BPM decrease in average heart rate and a 10-point increase in heart rate variability (HRV). This suggests that immersive VR environments can replicate the stress-reducing effects of traditional meditation at sacred sites, regardless of physical location. The study used a Unity-based application to simulate four Atamasthana sites, tracking real-time physiological responses via heart rate and HRV monitoring. Findings highlight the potential of VR to bridge cultural preservation with digital wellness, offering scalable solutions for mental relaxation while advancing research on both religious heritage and biometric feedback in meditation practices.

  Herath, S., Hapangama, C., Gamage, U., Soyza, N., Gamage, I., & Nismi, N. (2025). A Virtual Reality Immersive Experience of Sri Lanka’s Sacred Heritage: VR Meditation Experience at the Ruwanweli Maha Seya using Heart Rate and HRV Tracking. 2025 7th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1109/icac69156.2025.11361503

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• Heritage and decoloniality: Reflections from Sri Lanka—A conversation

  A three-way conversation between Hasini Haputhanthri, Gill Juleff, and Thamotharampillai Sanathanan explores the intersections of heritage and decoloniality in Sri Lanka, highlighting how colonialism and nationalism have shaped perceptions of heritage. The discussion reveals that state-authorized narratives, particularly those centered on Buddhist archaeological sites like Anuradhapura, have marginalized minority communities and silenced diverse historical perspectives. It also examines the ongoing impact of colonial legacies, including the destruction of cultural heritage during the civil war and the current discourse around Chinese influence, which mirrors historical patterns of colonization. The conversation underscores the need for a more inclusive and critical approach to heritage that challenges dominant narratives and centers marginalized voices.

  Haputhanthri, H., Juleff, G., & Sanathanan, T. (2024). Heritage and decoloniality: Reflections from Sri Lanka—A conversation. American Anthropologist, 126(2), 349–354. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aman.13949

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• Comprehending genius loci, towards spiritual sustainability: lessons from Buddhist heritage city Anuradhapura

  Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's UNESCO World Heritage Site, embodies 'spiritual sustainability' by integrating natural elements, topography, built structures, and human activities. This study reveals that the city's spiritual orientation, rooted in Buddhist concepts, sustains a dynamic equilibrium between physical and non-physical dimensions, offering deeper insights into heritage value and sustainable development. The research employs an interdisciplinary approach, combining contextual and generalized concepts to explore the 'genius loci'—the unique spirit of place—and its role in shaping cultural and religious views across history.

  De Silva, W. (2023). Comprehending genius loci, towards spiritual sustainability: lessons from Buddhist heritage city Anuradhapura. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 29(1-2), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2023.2169333

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• Concentration and Distribution of Toxic and Essential Elements in Traditional Rice Varieties of Sri Lanka Grown on an Anuradhapura District Farm

  Traditional Sri Lankan rice varieties, often favored for their perceived health benefits, exhibit significant variability in cadmium concentrations, with one store-bought sample (Suwadel) containing potentially unsafe levels (113±13 μg kg−1). Elemental imaging revealed that lead is primarily stored in the rice bran, which is removed during polishing, while cadmium is distributed in the edible portion of the grain. Essential elements were generally higher in traditional varieties compared to non-traditional ones, suggesting a potential nutritional advantage for nutrient-deficient communities. However, selenium levels were too low to meet minimum recommended intake, despite its protective role in kidney health. This study provides a one-time cross-sectional dataset on elemental concentrations in eleven rice samples from Anuradhapura district, a hotspot for chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu), using methods that could be applied to more comprehensive research under controlled conditions.

  Lockwood, T. E., Banati, R. B., Nikagolla, C., Violi, J. P., & Bishop, D. P. (2023). Concentration and Distribution of Toxic and Essential Elements in Traditional Rice Varieties of Sri Lanka Grown on an Anuradhapura District Farm. Biological Trace Element Research, 202(6), 2891–2899. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-023-03847-1

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• Spatializing Nationalism and Religion: The Production of Sinhala-Buddhist Imagination and the Centrality of Anuradhapura

  Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's ancient and revered Buddhist city, emerged as the focal point of Sinhala-Buddhist identity at the turn of the 20th century. This transformation was driven by local leaders who resisted colonial attempts to archeologize and museumize the site while asserting its centrality in religious and nationalist discourse. They sought to eliminate non-Buddhist activities and challenge the dominance of the Kandy-based Buddhist order, reshaping the spatiality of Sinhala-Buddhist imagination. The study analyzes this complex interplay through a lens of nationalism, religion, and colonialism, highlighting local agency's role in redefining Anuradhapura's significance amid shifting political power dynamics.

  Sangapala, P., & Perera, N. (2023). Spatializing Nationalism and Religion: The Production of Sinhala-Buddhist Imagination and the Centrality of Anuradhapura. Space and Culture, 28(4), 465–479. https://doi.org/10.1177/12063312231210152

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• Distribution of Phlebotomus argentipes Annandale & Brunetti, 1908 in the Anuradhapura district, North Central Sri Lanka

  A study on the distribution of Phlebotomus argentipes in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, revealed that its abundance is strongly influenced by temperature and humidity. The sandfly, a potential vector for cutaneous leishmaniasis, thrives at mean temperatures of 24.7–27.3°C and high humidity levels (72–88%). Key microhabitats included shrubs, uncultivated areas, gardening zones, wet soil with leaf litter, and termite hills. Using CDC light traps and yellow sticky traps over 12 months, researchers analyzed environmental factors to predict temporal variations in vector populations. Regression analysis showed significant correlations (P = 0.00), with temperature explaining 68% of abundance variability and humidity 91.6%. These findings could inform targeted vector management strategies by leveraging ecological behavior patterns.

  Nayakarathna, N., Gunathilaka, R., & Ganehiarachchi, G. (2023). Distribution of Phlebotomus argentipes Annandale & Brunetti, 1908 in the Anuradhapura district, North Central Sri Lanka. Journal of Vector Borne Diseases, 60(4), 427–431. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-9062.383638

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