Malwila Ruins

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The Malwila Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient monastery situated at Saliya Pura, Wanatawilluwa in the Puttalam District of north western Sri Lanka. It is located two miles from the turnoff to the right at Karadipuwa, which could be reached after travelling nine miles on the Puttalam–Mannar Road.

Monastery complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplace(s) of monks or nuns

A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer which may be a chapel, church, or temple, and may also serve as an oratory.

Puttalam District Administrative District in North Western Province, Sri Lanka

Puttalam is a district situated near to the west coast of Sri Lanka. It has an area of 3,072 km2 (1,186 sq mi). Along with the Kurunegala District, it formulates the North Western Province of Sri Lanka. The district capital is Puttalam, which borders the Kala Oya and Modaragam Aru in the north, Anuradhapura District and Kurunegala District in the east, Ma Oya in the south, and the Indian Ocean in the west. Puttalam is well known for its picturesque lagoons, popular for shallow sea fishing and prawn farming activities. The town of Kalpitiya, and the Kalpitiya Peninsula, is located in this district.

According to folklore prevalent in the area, the monastery had been built by Prince Saliya, son of King Dutugemunu the Great. This sacred site has ruins of a Dagoba, three buildings with stone pillars, a structure that could be identified as a Bodhighara, a stone Buddha statue, moonstones signifying the entrances to buildings and a flight of steps with a balustrade.

Stupa mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the ashes of Buddhist monks, used by Buddhists as a place of meditation

A stupa is a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics that is used as a place of meditation. A related architectural term is a chaitya, which is a prayer hall or temple containing a stupa.

The ruins of the Dagoba could be climbed and on top of it a rare octagonal pillar could be seen. The ruins have been victims of treasure hunters. Presently it is guarded by the Civil Defence Force. [1]

Sri Lanka Civil Security Force

The Sri Lanka Civil Security Force is a paramilitary militia tasked to serve as an auxiliary to the Sri Lanka Police. Originally the National Home Guard Service, it is directed by the Civil Security Department. The current Director General of the Civil Security Department is Chandrarathne Pallegama.

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