Wattegama Purana Viharaya

This Viharaya is situated in Wattegama of Kotiyagala in the Siyambalanduwa Divisional Secretariat Division of the Monaragala District. It could be reached by bus  from Kodayana Junction on the Colombo-Ampara road  to Kotiyagala.

According to the folklore the temple had been built during the reign of King Saddhatissa. The ruins of a dilapidated ancient Dagoba, stone pillars and a stone flight of steps are visible in the temple premises. The paintings on the walls of the temple depict the Kandyan tradition.

The temple is a 30foot long and 23foot wide two storied structure with its inner walls adorned with paintings of floral motifs, animal forms and Jataka stories with ornamental creepers and mermaid forms randomly placed.

Statues of doormen, lion images, the main image of a Buddha of the Samadhi posture and the images of Sariyut and Mugalan theras are seen sculptured in the temple. Some of the damaged paintings and images have been restored by the Archaeological Department.