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photo by : Mokshara Wathsaranga Thilakasiri
King Weera Parakramabahu VIII of the Kotte Kingdom (1477–1489) was married to two sisters. He had five sons in total—Dharma Parakamabahu, Sri Rajasinghe, and Vijayabahu with one wife, and Sakalakala Vallabha along with Thaniya Wallabha with the other.
As the sons matured, the king split his kingdom into five regions, entrusting each son with the governance of one area. Dharma Parakamabahu (1489–1513) ruled from the capital, Kotte; Sri Rajasinghe governed Manikkadawara; Vijayabahu took charge of Raigama; Sakalakala Vallabha oversaw Udugampola; and Thaniya Wallabha ruled from Madampe. For many years, these regional rulers cooperated closely, working together to bring stability throughout the kingdom.
Sakalakala Vallabha is said to have worked tirelessly to boost agriculture in the Udugampola region. When he set out to construct a new irrigation reservoir in the Hissella area, he discovered that the soil was too sandy for the project. To address this, he selected a nearby site where he could mix clay with the sand, ensuring a more solid foundation for the reservoir. Over time, this area where the clay was blended became known as Mati-ketu-mulla, which eventually evolved into Mati-kota-mulla (Maetikotamulla).
Metikotamulla Sadharma Thilakarama Purana Viharaya today does not show any history going back to this era but the Tampita Viharaya built during the Kandyan era is one of the important structures of the Temple.
Photo : Berty Lional Udugampala
Tampita Viharaya (Temple on Pillars) is a structure built on a wooden platform which rests on a number of stone stumps usually 3-4 feet tall. The roof is held by a structure built of timber and the walls are generally made of wattle and daub and the inner walls are generally covered with frescoes drawn mainly in Kandyan style.
This Tampita Viharaya is built on nine granite stumps of about 2 feet in height. The inner chamber of the structure is 14 feet 6 inches long and 10 feet 4 inches wide. A 4-foot 6-inch wide verandah goes around the inner chamber. The roof is tiled with flat clay tiles and Sinhala Ulu (tapered semi-cylindrical clay tiles). The year 1899 can be seen carved onto the timber used on the roof indicating that the roof was restored in 1899.
Metikotamulla Sadharmathilakarama Purana Viharaya lies between Veyangoda and Minuwangoda Road. Travelling from Veyangoda, travel 5.8 km up to the Wadumulla Junction and take the road to the right towards Metikotamulla. The temple lies 2.5 down the road.
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Metikotamulla Sadharma Thilakarama Purana Viharaya
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Travelling directions to Metikotamulla Sadharma Thilakarama Purana Viharaya
| Travel directions from Anuradhapura to Metikotamulla Sadharma Thilakarama Purana Viharaya |
| Distance : 54 km Travel time : 1 hour mins Time to spend : 20 mins Driving directions : see on google map |
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