Ma-Lena; a marble cave in Sri Lanka Pathmamkumara Jayasingha1, A.S. Dandeniya2, Saman Senanayake3, W.G. Mahesh Champika4, R.

Dewaka5, Wasantha S. Welianga6

1

Research Laboratory, Central Cultural Fund, Independence Avenue, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka BGJF Consultancy Services, 35A , Sunethradewi Road, Kohuwala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
3

Woodman Lanka (pvt) LTD, No.105, St. Peters Road, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.

Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Katubedda, Sri Lanka.

5

Softlogic Finance (PLC), 1/200, Ground Floor, Main Street, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.
6

Postgraduate Institute of Archaeolog, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

Corresponding Author: jpathma@yahoo.com Abstract Ma-Lena which is located at western foothill of the peak wilderness mountain range is an underground cave complex. The cave is situated in Guruluwana, Siripagama of Rathnapura District and close proximity to Kaluganga. Physiographically the cave belongs to wet zone of the country. During the field visit the cave was explored and geology, hydrology, morphology, biology and diversity of speleothems were primarily studied. Though it has several entrances two northern and southern entrances were identified as the main and largest. North entrance opens to a higher elevated chamber complex while the other opens to a complex of chamber situated at lower elevation. Both chamber complexes are connected by vertical tunnels and small chambers at various places. The cave complex was hydrologically active. Geologically, the cave is made up of impure marble of Highland Complex. Floated country rocks during the formation of the rock strata were highly weathered and some mineralized zones could be visible. The grain size of the marble varied from place to place. The formation of cave chambers is directly correlated with a fluvial weathering process. The chamber walls and ceilings were seen nicely polished by the flowing water. The fluvial weathering was further evidenced by weathering features of the bed rock marble which extends up to the land surface. In addition some elluvial deposits which were conglomeratic and hard further evidence the fluvial action. Speleothems were characterized by rim pools, cave curtains, stalagmites, stalactites, cave pearls, siliceous deposits, cave pillars, helictites and owstones. The cave was home for chiropteran bats which were definitely in thousands of numbers. Their guano deposits make thick carpet on the floor of the chambers. In addition insects, mollusks and shrimp species also were found in the cave stream. Keywords: elluvial deposits, fluvial weathering, guano deposits, helictites Speleothems,

Pathmakumara Jayasingha Mphil in Geology (reading) University of Peradeniya (started in 2008), MSc in Environmental Science University of Peradeniya (2004), BSc.Sp (hons) in Geology (University of Peradeniya) (2001), working as a Research Scientist/Geologist attached to the Research Laboratory, Central Cultural Fund, No 11, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka since 2005. A.S. Dandeniya M.Sc in Architecture University Moratuwa (2008), M.Sc in Archaeology University of Kelaniya (2009), Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology University of Kelaniya (2007), B.Sc in Built Environment University of Moratuwa (2006). Working as an Architect attached to the BGJF Consultancy Services, Sunethradewi Road, Kohuwala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. Saman Senanayake Woodman Lanka (pvt) LTD, No.105, St. Peters Road, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.

Mahesh Champika Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Katubedda, Sri Lanka.

R. Dewaka
5

Softlogic Finance (PLC), 1/200, Ground Floor, Main Street, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.

Wasantha S Weliange

Ph.D in Natural Sciences -University Of Innsbruck, Austria in (2007), M.Phil in Freshwater Ecology (University Of Kelaniya in 2003). International Postgraduate Course in Limnology (IPGL), conducted by Institute for Limnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in 2001. B.Sc in Zoology (Special) (University of Kelaniya in 1992).