Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mines

Moonstone, a semi-precious stone displaying the spectacular characteristic of changing its colour, is found in abundance at Meetiyagoda, which is located 10 kilometres south of Ambalangoda. Visitors can see them being mined using traditional methods and made into beautiful jewellery by master craftsmen at their workshops.

Moonstones are held in owe due to the spiritual power they wield in driving out evil spirits and wading off malefic planetary influences. They are carved en cabochon to obtain the maximum effect of their bluish sheen (adularescence) and embedded into gold and silver jewellery ranging from exquisite necklaces, glistening earrings to sparkling rings.

Top quality moonstones are found only in Domanwila, a hamlet in Meetiyagoda in Southern Sri Lanka. Pits are dug 20 – 30 metres deep in the surrounding marshy land to find the rare mineral belonging to the Feldspar family.

Peraliya Buddha Statue: The Tsunami Memorial

The 54-foot standing Buddha statue has been constructed in memory of the victims of the tsunami, which struck Sri Lanka on 26th December 2004. The construction cost of Rs. 50 million was donated by the Most Venerable Othani Chojun, the Prelate of the Hoganji Temple of Japan. It is located by the side of the A2 highway (Galle Road) at Peraliya 7 kilometres south of Ambalangoda.

The statue is a replica of the Bamiyan Buddha statue of Afghanistan whose scale model was created by the Venerable Ratnapure Nanda Thera. The names of the tsunami victims have been inscribed on its base. The statue was unveiled in 2006 marking the second anniversary of the tragedy. Almost the entire village of Peraliya (99.8%) was destroyed by the 9.1-9.3 magnitude Indonesian earthquake which triggered the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. Lives lost are estimated between 31,000 and 37,000 along with the destruction of houses numbering over 100,000.

Galagoda Sailathalaramaya

The Galagoda Sailathalaramaya, a Buddhist temple located 11 kilometres inland on Ambalangoda-Elpitiya road, houses the longest reclining Buddha statue in South Asia. The statue, depicting the parinirvana (passing away) of the Buddha, is 35 metres long and made out of cement.

Legend has it that the 800-year old statue was built by Devapathiraja, the Chief Minister of King Parakramabahu II who ruled from Dambadeniya in the 14th century AD. The image house is at the top of a hill, which can be reached by climbing 208 steps. A motor-able road has also been constructed for the convenience of those who find climbing difficult. The statue, which had been originally built on rock prior to its renovation,  is so long that there are seven doorways to enter the inner chamber. The outer chamber houses standing statues of previous Buddhas measuring ten feet each along with two warring factions at the opposing ends - one led by the Sinhalese King Dutugemunu and the other by the Tamil King Elara.