Wilandagoda is an archaeological site and a living forest monastery in Puttalam District, situated close to the southern boundary of Wilpattu National Park. The highly attractive place is almost unknown to tourists. The archaelogical site covers the compartively large area of 120 hectares. Cave inscriptions and rock inscriptions have been found in this area. 31 rock shelters are known in the forest, which is said to have 64 caves, nobody Mbeing able to see them all. Many of the rove shelters that can be seen indeed have drip ledges, indicating they were used as monks‘ abodes in antiquity. A monastery was established at Wilandagoda during the Anuradhapura period, it received oyal patronage during the Polonnarua and Kandy period, too. A mushroom-like cave temple in the Kandyan style and an impressive logan called Balumgala, very similar to the Ugulgala of Haththikuchchi, are the major attractions of Wilandagoda. Brick foundations and upright standing massive stone pillars of ancient buildings can be seen, too. In front of the chief monk‘s modern residence is a glass box with a human skeleton, a reminder of the transience of all what comes to existence.
Wilanda is roasted paddy. The name refers to a an episode of the legend of Prince Saliya. When the Prince, who was hiding in Wilandagoda because of the his father‘s anger over his love affair out of keeping with his noble status, was found by one of the ten giant warriors of King Dutthagamani, the King visited his son after promising the giant not to harm the hiding Prince. Saliya welcomed his father woth a Wilanda meal. The cave that is believed to have served as a refuge of the hiding couple of Sri Lanka‘s most famous romance is now called Saliya Guhawa.
Wilanda is roasted paddy. The name refers to a an episode of the legend of Prince Saliya. When the Prince, who was hiding in Wilandagoda because of the his father‘s anger over his love affair out of keeping with his noble status, was found by one of the ten giant warriors of King Dutthagamani, the King visited his son after promising the giant not to harm the hiding Prince. Saliya welcomed his father woth a Wilanda meal. The cave that is believed to have served as a refuge of the hiding couple of Sri Lanka‘s most famous romance is now called Saliya Guhawa.