Maligawila Buddha Statue and and Dambegoda Bodhisattva Statue

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Maligawila is a secluded village in the Moneragala District, located approximately 15 kilometers from Buttala on the road to Okkampitiya. The village gained archaeological attention in 1928 when Mr. Holcart visited the area. Six years later, in 1934, Dr. Senarath Paranavitana, Sri Lanka’s first archaeologist, explored the site and documented two monumental statues—the Buddha and a Bodhisattva—both found broken amidst the jungle. Unfortunately, these ancient sculptures suffered further damage at the hands of treasure hunters (Uduwara, 1992).

In 1951, the overgrown site was cleared, revealing a significant find—the headgear of the large statue. This discovery played a key role in identifying the figure as Maitreya Bodhisattva, a representation of loving-kindness and future enlightenment. Dr. Nissanka Godakumbure, who led the restoration efforts, believed that the Maligawila and Dambegoda sites once formed a single religious complex. He also noted that Dr. Paranavitana had associated the site with Ariyakara Vihara, an ancient monastery mentioned in the Culavamsa (ch. 45, verses 60–63).

An initial attempt to re-erect the statue in 1974 was unsuccessful. However, in 1980, under the leadership of President Ranasinghe Premadasa, a local engineering team successfully raised and restored the statue, returning it to its former grandeur.

The Maligawila Buddha Statue, carved from a single block of limestone, stands at an impressive 14.5 meters, making it the tallest freestanding Buddha image from ancient Sri Lanka. Archaeological evidence of a massive image house, measuring around 20 meters in both length and width with walls 1.2 meters thick, suggests the statue was originally housed within an equally grand structure—possibly rising to 20 meters in height.

Roughly 500 meters from this statue is another rock-carved image believed to represent Maithree Natha Bodhisattva, also identified by some as Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. Known as the Dambegoda Bodhisattva Statue, this sculpture measures 9.85 meters tall and weighs approximately 40 tons. It was discovered face-down but largely intact, having broken into several pieces during its fall. Tragically, it was later blown apart by treasure hunters using dynamite. The Department of Archaeology restored the statue in 1990.

Near the staircase leading to the Bodhisattva statue stands a stone pillar inscription, now housed under a protective structure. Erected by King Mahinda IV in his 10th regnal year (956–972 AD), the inscription details the king’s contributions to the promotion of Buddhism and includes administrative guidelines for managing Buddhist temples. This provides valuable historical context to the religious significance and governance of the area during his reign.

Maligawila - Maligawila Buddha Statue and and Dambegoda Bodhisattva Statue

Moonstone at the foot of the Maligawila Buddha Statue

Carvings at the foot of the Maligawila Buddha Statue

A faded inscription at Maligawila Buddha Statue

Pillar inscription at the Dambegoda Bodhisattva Statue

Dambegoda Bodhisattva Statue at Maligawila

References

Uduwara, J. (1991) ‘SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE DAMBEGODA LITHIC RECORD’, in Epigraphia Zeylanica : Being Lithic and Other Inscriptions of Ceylon – Volume VI (part II). Colombo: Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka, pp. 140–153.

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Maligawila

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Travel Directions to Maligawila Buddha Statue and Dambegoda Bodhisattva Statue

You can reach the site from either Wellawaya or Kataragama depending on which route you take.

You can reach Wellawaya through several routes. If you are coming from Badulla or Bandarawela you must take the Ella Road which lies between Badulla-Bandarawela Road. On the way, you will also pass the beautiful Ravana Ella too. There is another road from Beragala. Taking this road will take you through the 220-meter-high Diyaluma waterfall. Koslanda lies between the Balangoda – Haputhale Road.

If you are coming from Kataragama, use the Buttala Road and the turn-off is just before the Buttala main junction. The temple is about 20 km from the turn-off from Buttala. From Buttala any person can direct you to the temple.

Route from Colombo to Maligawila Buddha Statues	Route from Kataragama to Maligawila Buddha Statues
Through : Southern Expressway Distance : 317 Travel time : 5 hours Driving directions : see on Google map	Through : Buttala Distance : 63 km Travel time : 1-1.5 hours Driving directions : see on google map