Getabaru Rajamaha Viharaya is a historic hilltop shrine in Deniyaya, famous for its cave temple and the powerful deity Getabaru Rajjuruwo. Built during the King Walagamba era, it offers panoramic views and a spiritual atmosphere. Visitors often climb the steep path to seek blessings and witness its vibrant annual esala perahera.
Did you know a 238-year-old Dutch Dam in Urubokka is still actively working? Built in 1787, this historic gem manages water and feeds 5,000 acres of paddy fields, a true marvel of early engineering!
Today, the stretch of land from Ruhunu University to Dondra along the Wellabada road retains the name Wellamadama. The Gana Devi Kovil, however, no longer stands in its original form. What remains is part of the Gana Devi Ambalama (a traditional rest shelter), constructed with coral and stone..
This Ambalama, known as Weragampita Ambalama, is located about 600 meters inland from the old Navimana ferry point on the Nilwala River. Before bridges were built across this river, this ferry point must have been a bustling location. Travelers arriving at the ferry point from distant places would have found this Ambalama a refuge to rest.
For centuries, Mirissa—a coastal town on Sri Lanka’s southern shoreline—remained a hidden gem, untouched by tourism. Life in the village centered around small-scale fishing, coconut cultivation, and basic farming, with locals leading a quiet, sea-dependent lifestyle as fishing boats lined the shore.
Ancient Relic Caskets made of stone and number of metal statues were discovered in the ancient stupa of Pananwela Ganegoda Rajamaha Viharaya. These ruins indicate that the temple has a history going as far back as early to mid Anuradhapura Era.
With artifacts going back to Anuradhapura Era, Dikwella Kurumbure Purwarama Rajamaha Viharaya experienced a period of great prosperity during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe (1747 – 1781), The temple holds a golden Buddha statue believed to be one of the four statues which Arhat Maliyadeva brought from India
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.
The Dutch Reformed Church of Matara is nestled within the walls of the historic Matara Fort, initially built by the Dutch. The fortification of Matara took place around five years The building was erected in 1706, according to an inscription over the doorway. During subsequent repairs and improvements this date has been obliterated and another date, that of 1767 is now to be seen.
Kamburupitiya Ambalama is one such Ambalama built in 1909. This is a comparatively large Ambalama built with Brick and mortar, standing in the centre of the Kamburupitya town. The Ambalama is fully covered. The front is built with a short wall and square and cylindrical pillars the empty space is covered with latticework structures for ventilation. The entrance is on the side.
Among the historical mileposts installed by the British Public Works Department, a noteworthy one stands in the Devinuwara area near Matara. This particular milepost considered the tallest in Sri Lanka, is situated in front of the residence of Mr Ronnie de Mel, a prominent Sri Lankan politician and former finance minister.
The Nelumwewa Ambalama, which is now destroyed, is situated along the Ratmale-Dikwella road. It is positioned 900 meters away from the Ratmale junction and approximately 4.5 kilometers from the town of Dikwella. Around 250 years in the past, local villagers collaborated to construct this Ambalama in proximity to a Mara tree.
Hakmana Fort was in fact a stockade built by the Dutch around 1645 and was destroyed by the Kandyan Forces in 1761. No remains of this fort is found today.
Thalahagama is a village belonging to Matara District in the Southern Province. Thalahagama is popular for its natural water spring eternally flowing from a well. The Diya Bubula (water spring) lies at the edge of a lush paddy field close to the road. Its not visible to the main road and insignificant foot path leads to the bubula and the paddy field.
The Diya Bubula at Kosgahadola (water spring) lies some distance above the waterfall and the water joins the Kosgahadola steam. Traveling upstream over slippery rocks, it is amazing how a stream of water naturally emerges from a delicate crack in the rock. A small circular tank has been built at that place in later times to surrounding the constantly flowing stream.
Uduwaka Ambalama is a somewhat recent resting place in Matara District lying 8km off Weligama (2.7 km off Thelijjawila) on the Weligama Thelijawila road. The Ambalama lies by the main road, next to a lush paddy field.
One building stands alone and aloof built entirely of granite blocks. Aptly called Galge or Galgane, it is a rectangular building with a small door in front and no windows or other openings.
The Budugala Rajamaha Viharaya in Rotumba is built utilizing number of natural rock caves on a rocky outcrop. According to legend this cave temple has been built by king Watta Gamini Abhaya, better known as king Walagamba (89-77 BC) of Anuradhapura kingdom.
Viharamaldeniya Ella is rather unknown to the outside other than to the villagers in the immediate vicinity of the falls. The water falls in two steps like a thin veil creating an ideal bathing condition during the dry season when the flow is slow.
