Giant free standing Buddha statue of statue Maligawila is carved out of a single limestone rock and stands about 14.5 metres high. This is the tallest free standing Buddha image in the country. This statue is thought to be done by a prince called Aggabodhi who ruled the "Rohana" region of Sri Lanka in the 7th century.
Maligawila lies about 15 kilometres off the Buttala town towards Okkampitiya. Famous for its giant free standing Buddha statue of the 7th century, this monument was found fallen and broken in to pieces in 1951. An attempt was made in 1974 to raise this statue and failed. But in 1980 a local engineering team was able to raise this statue and restore it back to the ancient glory. This statue is carved out of a single limestone rock and stands about 14.5 metres high. This is the tallest free standing Buddha image in the country. This statue is thought to be done by a prince called Aggabodhi who ruled the "Rohana" region of Sri Lanka in the 7th century. There has
been an image house surrounding this gigantic statue. The remains of this image house can still be seen.
How to reach
You can reach the site from either Wellawaya or from Katharagama depending on which route you take. You can reach Wellawaya in through many roads. If you are coming from Badulla or Bandarawela you must take the Ella Road which lies between Badulla-Bandarawela Road. On the way you will also pass the beautiful Ravana Ella too on the way. There is another road from Koslanda. Taking this road will take you through the 220 metre high waterfall Diyaluma. Koslanda lies between the Balangoda – Haputale Road.
If you are coming from Katharagama, use the Buttala Road and the turn off is just before the Buttala main junction. The temple is about 20 kms form the turn off from Buttala. From Buttala any person can direct you to the temple.
