Kirinda Rajamaha Viharaya

Kirinda is a small but beautiful village on the southern coast of Sri Lanka close to Kataragama.

Kirinda Rajamaha Viharaya is located on top of the rock on a nine beaches and most attractive place. The area is also close to the Great and small Basses reefs which provide some of the most spectacular scuba diving in the country.

This temple had been built by the king Kavantissa. There is a rock-strewn outcrop from which can be obtained some glorious views of the desolate coast with its long stretch of sand dunes.

Kirinda was used as a land base by Sir Arthur C. Clarke's party when diving for the Great Basses wreck (Treasures of the Reef).

One of the most famous attractions in Kirinda is the statue of Queen Viharamaha Devi. This is located on the spot where she is said to have landed after being set adrift on the sea from Kelaniya. The rock temple mentioned above is largely believed to be the site of her landing.