Gonagolla Viharaya, is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Kothmale colony village in Ampara. Its history is dated back to the Anuradhapura Period.
Gonagolla Viharaya (Ampara) Gonagolla Viharaya , also known as Gonagolla Punchi Sigiriya (Sinhala: අම්පාර ගොනාගොල්ල විහාරය), is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Kothmale colony village in Ampara District, Sri Lanka. The site can be reached by travelling along the Senagama-Gonagolla road about 5 km distance from Weranketagoda town.
History
The history of Gonagolla Viharaya is dated to the Anuradhapura Period . Several inscriptions and a rock painting that is believed to belong to the 5th century A.D. have been found on the site (Sirimalwatta, 2016).
Inscriptions
Five epigraphs, all rock inscriptions belonging to the 3rd-5th centuries A.D. are identified at the site (Sirimalwatta, 2016). They all have been inscribed on a rock plane on which an ancient flight of steps and the remains of an ancient structure are found. Gonagolla rock inscriptions
(Ref.: The information board at the site by the Director-General of Archaeology)
Period: 3-4th centuries A.D.
Scripts: Later Brahmi
Language: Old Sinhala # First ins…
3 comments
Anonymous
The painting should be more conserved. Only small part is remaining today
Anonymous
there is a mixed up in names. this place is "Gonagala" near 29th Colony. there is a another village called "Gonagolla" in Ampara-Kandy main road and between 33, 32 and 30 colonies. please correct it.