Rajagala Monastery

It is located 24km from Ampara town and 300 metres above the sea level. It is situated in a rocky and thickly forested mountain. It is supposed to have been inhabited between the 10th and the 3rd century BC and blessed by Arahat Mahinda Thera, who introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Dagobas, aramas, ponds, statues of the Buddha, and moonstones (Sandakada Pahana) have been discovered at the monastery. Some of the drawings on the stones are believed to belong to the prehistoric era and the prehistoric man, about 35,000 years ago. The most interesting relics are a large stone bowl and a 16-foot long half completed Buddha image. In addition, a stone artefact located at the entrance (korawak gala), a guardstone (muragala), around 585 statues and around 48 stone inscriptions were found and can be seen here.