Dematamal Viharaya
Photo credit: Lakshan Abenaike, Google Street View Dematamal Viharaya (Sinhala: දෙමටමල් විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated in Okkampitiya in Monaragala District, Sri Lanka. The Stupa at the site is considered one of the oldest of its kind in the country (Jayasinghe et al., 2011). History
Dematavala, identical to Dematahal, Gamitthavali, or Gamitthapali Vihara founded by King Kavantissa in the 2nd century B.C. is believed to be the present Okkampitiya where the Dematamal Viharaya situated (Nicholas, 1963). A Later Brahmi Inscription of King Gothabhaya (253-266 A.D.) has been found in a place called Galkotuwa located in the vicinity of Dematamal Viharaya (Paranavitana, 2001). The temple is also popular as the place where Prince Tissa took refuge after he was defeated by Prince Gemunu at Yudaganawa . Dematamal Stupa
The non-plastered Stupa of Dematamal Viharaya is believed to be one of the oldest Stupas in the country (Jayasinghe et al., 2011; Paskaran et al., 2011). It is said to have bee…
