Monaragala District

Yudaganawa Temple is located close to Buttala on the Wellawaya– Buttala Road. This is one of the largest Stupas in the country and dates back to 2nd century BC. This is believed to be place price Tissa and his brother price Gamini (Later The great king Dutugemunu) had a major battle after the death of his father King Kavanthissa (2 nd century BC)

Legend has it that the Rahathangala was miraculously created by Arahats (Rahatun in Sinhala) as a barrier to the battling princes Dutugemunu and Tissa.

Miella (Myella) Kanda Ancient Caves lies deep inside elephant infested jungles of Monaragala District. The complex is covered with ancient ruins littering a wide area all of which has been destroyed by treasure hunters.

Maligawila Buddha Statue is carved out of a single limestone rock and stands about 14.5 metres high. This is the tallest free standing buddha image in the ancient Sri Lanka. Dambegoda Bodhisattva statue, Another massive statue in the same complex stands 500 meters away.

Dematamal Viharaya is located at Helagama on the Buttala-Okkampitiya road which leads to the Maligawila Buddha Statues. The temple lies about 4 km from the Buttala town. Located in the middle of paddy field, you can see the dark coloured Stupa and the bo-tree surrounded by the green paddy from the road itself.

Buduruwagala is located about 5 km from the Wellawaya on the Thanamalwila road. The name Buduruwagala means “the rock with the statue of Buddha”.

Biso Pokuna at Galebedda lies 10km from Monaragala on the Pottuvil road. Believed to be part of a palace complex of a local princess Sugala Devi dating from the 12th century A.D.