Sithulpawwa

Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist monastery located in Hambantota District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Situated 18 km east of the pilgrimage town Kataragama, it is believed to have been built in the 2nd century B.C by king Kavantissa. Sithulpawwa Vihara can be reached by travelling 18 miles along the Tissamaharama-Yodhakandiya road towards the Yala National Park. Sithulpawwa is known as a location where thousands of Arhaths lived at one time.

This monastery was a place of worship for devotees as well as a center of Buddhist education for Buddhist monks. A large number of rock inscriptions have been found throughout the vihara complex. All these belong to the pre Christian era and some letters in these inscriptions show localisation effects compared to Inscriptions in the Anuradhapura in the same era.