Located atop Valli Kanda near Wedahitikanda Peak, this remote cave shrine is dedicated to Valli Amma. Open only during the June–July Kataragama Maha Perahera and the Padayatha, its rugged mountain terrain and remoteness prevent most general pilgrims from visiting this jungle shrine.
The Galabedda Biso Pokuna, or Queen’s Pond, is a masterwork of 12th-century hydraulic engineering located in Monaragala. Primarily associated with the fierce Queen Sugala, the site served as a high-status royal bathing complex. Its sophisticated design features a five-tiered stone structure fed by the Maragala Oya through four artistically carved lion-mouth spouts.
Hidden deep within Hambantota lies the enchanting Nil Diya Bubula of Julampitiya — a crystal-blue natural spring that never runs dry. Revered for centuries, this hidden gem blends natural beauty, mystery, and heritage, offering a rare glimpse into Sri Lanka’s untouched landscapes.
At Tangalmandiya Viharaya, ruins of a stupa with a stone moonstone and steps with balustrades are found. Stone pillars of an ancient building and a number of stone flower altars are found scattered all over the temple premises. A new stupa was built in 2024 covering the ancient stupa mound.
The Gamagala rocky formation extends approximately 500 meters in length and contains around 20 cave shelters. Some of these caves show recent human use, as evidenced by wattle and daub walls enclosing their entrances. However, five particular caves hold archaeological significance.
Na Maluwa (Namaluwa) archaeological site is an ancient aramic complex off Lahugala in Mahakalugolla on the banks of Heda Oya. A large Stupa and numours artifacts can be fould at this site.
Sri Bodhimalu Rajamaha Viharaya in Monaragala is a little-known ancient temple going back to the 3rd century with 2 interesting caves, stone pillars of ancient buildings, and an ancient stupa.
The temple’s grounds cover a vast area of about eighty acres, which has been officially allocated to the Department of Archaeology due to its historical and cultural importance. The site features an ancient stupa measuring 21 cubits in height—roughly 31.5 feet. Scattered across the area are remnants of ancient stone pillars that once supported now-vanished structures, attesting to the temple’s long and storied past.
The foundations of its ancient buildings lie buried, offering few visible clues. Two undecorated moonstones remain at the site. The one placed at the entrance to the courtyard measures 1.2 meters in diameter. A headless Buddha statue made of crystalline limestone is another surviving artifact.
This ancient rock shelter features a massive cave with two drip ledges (kataram) carved one below the other. Inside, a severely damaged Buddha statue made of brick lies enshrined. The statue measures 34 feet in length, with shoulders spanning 7 feet. Nearby, another cave can be found, measuring 41 feet in width and 40 feet in depth. The drip ledge here is located 10 feet 6 inches above the entrance.
The most prominent feature among the Balaharuwa ruins is a large, now-dilapidated stupa with a circumference of approximately 315 feet. What makes this stupa particularly unusual is the presence of eight rows of stone steps embedded directly into its wall—an architectural feature not seen in any other known stupa.
Archaeological findings suggest that Peelekema was once a flourishing Buddhist monastic complex, with origins going back to the 3rd century BCE. This early dating is based on several drip-ledged cave shelters still visible at the site. Stone inscriptions indicate that the monastery had received royal patronage by the 4th century CE.
The Wettambugala cave itself is a monumental natural formation—75 meters long and approximately 20 meters high. The paintings span a surface area of about 60 meters in length and 3 meters in height, depicting a variety of subjects: human and animal figures, symbolic motifs, and notably, numerous wild elephants.
This ancient Kadurugoda Viharaya lies at the base of a prominent rock formation rising roughly 200 meters. The site includes the remains of a large ancient stupa, now reduced to a mound. Its center has been dug by treasure hunters. At the entrance to the stupa platform, two broken stone pillars stand, and a carved stone slab—likely part of an ancient doorway—serves as a step.
Handapangala Wewa is a picturesque and peaceful haven located in the Wellawaya area popular among the travellers and photographers for the abundant elephants in the area especially during the dry season. The bund of the Handapanagala Wewa is 3600 feet (1.1 km) long and 19 feet (5.8 m) high. At full capacity, the water covers 450 acres and holds 5000 acre feet.
Discovered in 1982, the Dambegoda Pillar Inscription is a 3.8-meter-tall monument dating to 966 CE. Attributed to King Mahinda IV, its 139 lines narrate royal religious activities and administrative regulations. Though incomplete and roughly engraved, it remains a vital record of tenth-century Buddhist governance.
The Rahathankanda monastery near Buttala is a historic forest hermitage where legend says Arahats intervened to end the battle between Dutugemuṇu and Saddhātissa. With 70 caves, Brāhmī inscriptions, and links to warrior Pussadeva, this mountain remains a sacred testament to the ancient Ruhuṇu Kingdom’s monastic grandeur.
At the foot of a rocky hillock in Siyambalanduwwwa lies the ancient Wattarama Rajamaha Viharaya which is said to be built by King Kawanthissa (205–161 BC) who Ruled the Magama Kingdom.
Wila Oya that commences its journey from the Helabada-Bowitiya mountain range in Moneragala joins the eastern sea at Panama in Ampara District. Wila Oya catchment gets its importance because its development history dates back to Dutugemunu era. Major irrigations schemes that are currently in operation in the Wila Oya catchment are Ethimale Wewa, Kotiyagala Wewa and Panama Wewa reservoirs.
Located in the Dry Zone, Udawalawe National Park comprises grasslands and thorn scrubs is one the sure places to see wild elephants any time of the day.
