Situlpawwa Buddhist Monastery

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Situlpawwa Buddhist Monastery is an ancient Buddhist monastery built in the 2nd-century by King Kavantissa. Situlpawwa is situated within the Yala National Park, you have to drive about 14 kms in the gravel roads through the thick jungles, besides you’d meet wild boars, elephants, peacocks. Views from the top of the rock are amazing.

It is believed that in the ancient times Situlpawwa was home to many arhats. The temple contains ruins from the ancient Anuradhapura era or even before that. Granite pillars in the premises are evidence for the building which have been there during the time. The main rock cave in the temple houses an eighty foot reclining Buddha Statue.

Best to visit the temple in the evenings, the rock gets heated up during the day time, and note that you are expected to wear appropriately preferably white.