Rawa Ela Maligathenna Archaeological Site- රාවා ඇළ මාලිගාතැන්න ආරාම සංකීර්ණයේ නටබුන්

There are number of sites called Maligathanne with archaeological or historic importance in Sri Lanka. The most popular is the Maligathenna Raja Maha Viharaya in Gampaha. There is also relatively unknown ruins of a palace complex in the thick jungles of Nuwaragala Mountain. The  3rd Maligathenna is in the Jungles of Rawa Ela which has been an ancient forest monastic complex covering an area of 16 acres.

The ruins of Rawa Ela Maligathenna was discovered in 1997 when the surrounding jungle was being cleared for chaina cultivation. The archaeology department then marked the ruin area and began excavation and conservation work on this area. But unfortunately this work was never completed and even the conserved artifacts are now facing the risk of destruction with the jungles taking over again.

The restoration of Meditation Path ( Sakman Maluwa) has been completed in year 2000 and is said to be the largest of its kind with a length of  50 feet and a width of 25 feet. The path is made of finely connected massive granite slabs with carvings and surrounded by an 80×60 feet granite wall made out of massive granite blocks. The entrance too is made out of large granite blocks.

Ruins of large number of buildings, ponds, water conduits, moonstones and balustrades all made of stones belonging to this monastic complex can be seen scattered in a wide area in addition to this building . One of the stone slabs lying on the floor has been measured 10×12 feet which may have been used as a roof of an building. With the archaeology department abandoning the restoration work most of these ruins are now under the threat of being invaded by the jungles again.

Also See

• Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
• Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity

Map of Rawa Ela Maligathenna Archaeological Ruins

Travel Directions to Rawa Ela Maligathenna Archaeological Ruins

Route from Kurunegala to Rawa Ela Maligathenna Archaeological Ruins

Distance : 36 km Travel time :45 minutes Driving directions : see on google map