Wewurukannala Vihara
Southern Province
About Wewurukannala Vihara
Wewurukannala Vihara at Dickwella does nothing by halves. Its centrepiece, completed in the 1960s after fifteen years of work, is the largest Buddha statue in Sri Lanka: a seated figure fifty metres tall - as high as an eight-storey building - visible above the coconut palms for miles around. An eight-storey structure behind the statue lets visitors climb level by level (past walls of painted Jataka scenes) to stand beside the gargantuan head. Below, the temple takes an unforgettable detour through Buddhist morality: a tunnel of hell, lined with life-size sculptures of demons administering graphic punishments to the wicked - startling, lurid, and utterly memorable, especially for teenagers. The older shrine rooms hold fine 18th-century work for those who look. Kitsch and profound in equal measure, it is the south coast's most entertaining temple visit, ten minutes from Hiriketiya.
Top Activities
- ✓The 50-metre seated Buddha
- ✓Climbing the eight storeys to the head
- ✓The 'tunnel of hell' sculpture gallery
- ✓18th-century shrine rooms
- ✓Combine with Hiriketiya and Hummanaya
Nearby Attractions
Travel Tips
The hell tunnel is graphic - fun warning for sensitive kids.
Climb the tower behind the statue for the face-to-face view.
Dress modestly; it's a working temple despite the spectacle.
Quick Info
Best Time
Year-round
Weather
Hot; the statue terrace is exposed - mornings are best.
Estimated Daily Budget
5.9680°N, 80.6870°E
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