Named Raksha Muhuna (Demon Faced) due to it formation, when viewed from the side, this rock resembles a demon facing the sea, another demon staring directly at you, and yet another possibly facing inland. Deep coves mark the areas where the mouths of these figures are formed. The waters around this rock are rough, so much so that even fishermen avoid getting close to it.
Rajakulawadana Rajamaha Viharaya in Weligama lies just 250 meters east of the more well-known Agrabodhi Rajamaha Viharaya. This temple is also referred to as Weligamgane or Galgane Viharaya. In ancient times, these two temples were one. During the time of Queen Kalyanavati, a Rajakulawadana Pirivena (monastic college) was established at Weligamgane Viharaya.
In Mundumurippu lies the ruins of forgotten archaeological site of the pre-Christian era hidden in the jungle with a stupa, a pond, massive pillars of a building and other artefacts of a Buddhist Monastery in Mullaitivu District. However, there are no records of these ruins being explored thereafter, so it is unclear whether the ruins still exist or have been destroyed.
Built by the Portuguese, only a few remains exist of this forgotten fort. The eastern basitan today is inside Thal Sevana Resort and western bastian is near the Kankesanthurai Lighthouse. Here parts of the massive walls built by the Portuguese can be still seen fallen off to the sea.
“Pansal Kanda” dates back to the 2nd century BCE, when Buddhism flourished in Sri Lanka. This era is notable for establishing many significant Buddhist monuments across the island. This site is located atop a beautiful hill at the edge of the last Sinhalese settlement in Janakapura, on the main road running from Anuradhapura to Mullaitivu through the Welioya region.
Kitsirimevan Rajamaha Viharaya is located on the right side of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya across the Kelani River. Therefore, devotees have called this temple “Egoda Kelaniya” since ancient times. Though most of the historic buildings are no longer at this temple, the first stupa is said to be built by the Naga King Maniakkitha in the 6th century BCE and the temple by King Kitsirimevan (303-311 CE)
If you have ever visited the Hulftsdorp Court Complex in Colombo, you may have noticed a large ancient stone bowl positioned in the middle of a small pond in the courtyard. It is about 35 inches (89 cm) high and 48 inches (122 cm) in diameter at the rim.
The Kurulupettagala Rajamaha Viharaya is considered to have been constructed by King Bhatika Abhaya, who ruled between 20 BCE and 7 CE. It was offered to the 500 Arahants, including the Maha Arahant Dammadinna. The meditation cells and walking paths used by the Arahants are still visible at this Viharaya.
While the exact date of construction and the identity of the builder remain uncertain, it is clear that the stupa was built during the early Anuradhapura period. The stupa stands about 3.5 feet high with a diameter of approximately 45 feet. It has been dug from the top of the dome to the very bottom of the base by treasure hunters. Rubble stones, bricks and mouldings are found scatters around the stupa.
This ancient site, where the Maha Rahaths resided since the Anuradhapura era, is located in the Padaviya region of the Anuradhapura District, amidst a vast forest. Its name has been identified as ‘Pannabhaya’ (පන්නභරය) from the inscriptions found here. The site features a large number of rock-cut caves around a rock outcrop.
Based on the visible remains at the Kanthale Sri Agbo Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site, it is certain that the site dates back to the early Anuradhapura period. The site contains several ruins and stone fragments belonging to various buildings in the northern part of the monastery grounds.
Due to an existing crisis situation, it has been impossible to properly conduct conservation and excavation activities around the ancient Anuradhapura-era stupa, image house, and monastery complex located near the Kanniya hot springs in Trincomalee. These Buddhist ruins are being destroyed due to encroachments by non-Buddhists.
The Batadura Ambalama, located in the Batadura village within the Opanayake Divisional Secretariat Division, is situated near the Batadura junction. This junction is about 7 kilometers from the Delgas junction on the Opanayake-Galkanda road. There are no photographs or detailed descriptions available of this Ambalama.
The remains at Archaeological Site near Mutiyankattuwa Wewa in Oddusuddan site include a dilapidated stupa, a shrine room, and the ruins of three buildings with stone pillars. According to the Department of Archaeology, this monastery complex dates back to the Anuradhapura period.
These ruins can be seen in the Oddusuddan Divisional Secretariat, near the Mutiyankattuwa Wewa Reservoir, connected to a rocky plateau. At the southern end of the plateau, there are remnants of a structure, with ancient bricks scattered on and around it. Near the road, on the left side, there are parts of stone pillars and a partially buried moonstone with its top portion visible. Below this rock, running east to west for about 50 meters is a stone embankment.
Ruins of a building from the Anuradhapura era were discovered at tje Keridamadu Archaeological Site in Mulativu. The site features sculpted torsos of life-sized Buddha and Avalokiteshvara statues carved from limestone. A large circular stone flower pedestal found at this site has been moved to a Hindu kovil ground at the Mannakandal junction.
The Ambalama is located about 350 meters inward from the Darangama Junction on the new Kandy Road from Kaduwela via Weliweriya, adjacent to a paddy field.It is a square building with a roof supported by 8 wooden columns.
The Pihimbuwa Ilukpitiya Ambalama is a sizable, square structure constructed from brick and mortar. Its half-height walls incorporate a built-in ledge around the perimeter, providing seating. The roof, made of Calicut clay tiles, is supported by wooden beams resting on nine brick and mortar pillars along the edge and four central pillars.
The baobab at Pomparippu Aru is the most mystical of all baobabs in Sri Lanka due to its inaccessible location. Because it cannot be reached by land, only a few people have ever seen this tree. To find it, you must travel to Gangewadiya in Wilpattu and hire a fishing boat to navigate up the Pomparippu Aru. The tree stands at the river’s edge, with part of it exposed to the river water.
In front of the old stupa, which exhibits early Anuradhapura period construction features, stands a monument with unique characteristics. It has two tiers of stone pillars, with some of the pillars in the surrounding area having fallen. Some of the pillar tops have caputs, and within the building, there is a stone pillar base, suggesting that this was a multi-story structure.
