Historic Viharaya in ruins

Stanley Seneviratne, Kurunegala North Group Corr.

The historic Katarangala Raja Maha Viharaya built by King Walagamba is another ancient temple left to the mercy of elements.

Many of the statues and the murals belonging to the Anuradhapura and Kandyan periods are already in ruins. According to chronical Katarangala monastery also known as Nela Pabotharama had been the abode of hundreds of Buddhist monks during the reign of King Walagamba and his successors.

The ancient shrine room built by the King is today in ruins and the inscriptions in the archaeological site are covered with shrub jungle.

The murals, paintings, and the statue in the other shrine room built by King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe during the Kandyan Kingdom have been defaced due to lack of conservation.