Tissamaharama

Tissamaharama was a centre of the ancient kingdom of Ruhuna in southern Sri Lanka. Its great Buddhist monastery and stupa are traditionally associated with King Kavantissa, while the nearby Yatala stupa is linked to the earlier ruler Mahanaga. The Tissa Wewa reservoir watered fields around the settlement. Kings and donors enlarged and repaired the religious foundations over many centuries, and the monastery became an important place of Buddhist learning. The stupas and reservoir recall the royal and sacred life of the southern kingdom.