An ancient temple at Okkampitiya with one of Sri Lanka's oldest stupas, linked in legend to the brothers Dutugemunu and Saddhatissa.

Overview

Dematamal Viharaya is a peaceful temple complex in the village of Okkampitiya near Buttala, centred on a stupa counted among the oldest in Sri Lanka. The whitewashed dagoba, old image house and shady grounds make for a quiet, contemplative visit far removed from the tourist crowds. The temple's fame rests as much on its legend as its antiquity, and it remains an active place of worship for the surrounding rural community.

History

The stupa is traditionally dated to the 2nd century BCE, making it one of the earliest on the island. Local tradition holds that the warrior prince Dutugemunu took refuge here after a quarrel with his brother Saddhatissa, giving the temple its name, said to derive from a phrase meaning 'shall not harm my brother', a story cherished in the district's Buddhist heritage.