-
A 210-year-old masterpiece stands majestically in the middle of the Panadura town, providing a spiritual haven for thousands of devotees belonging to all walks of life; irrespective of their race, class or creed even religion.
It is chronicled that this temple, ‘Rankoth Viharaya’, was built in 1810 on a stone quarry and was known as ‘Galkande Viharaya’, which later turned into an iconic landmark in Panadura, with period architecture. Well-known philanthropists of Panadura had donated selflessly towards the development and upkeep of this temple then. Prof. Kahapola Sugatharatana Mahanayake Thero a learned monk who believes in preserving the heritage of the temple without resorting to ‘modernisation’ of its ambience, which is the unique feature of this temple has headed the temple since 1981. Due to the ageing of its buildings and the stupa, constant maintenance and repairs are deemed necessary. This is mostly needed in the preservation of the �