Saman Dewale, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

Boats on the shore of the Kalu Ganga opposite Saman Dewale.

Wall on the old rampart of the earlier Portuguese Fort.

An old stupa inside the temple premises.

Entrance gate to the temple premises seen from inside the premises.

Saman Dewale on  the Rathnapura - Panadura road was the site of an ancient temple. It is surrounded on ita three sides by the waters of the Kalu Ganga. This is reminiscent of the situation of the 'Barandy Kovil' at Avissawella. There was boat traffic from Kalutara to Batugedara beyond Rathnapura, on the river. An annual Perahera carrying the sacred Tooth-relic of Lord Buddha was held for ten years in this temple during the reign of King Rajasinghe of Sithawake in the 16th Century of the Present Era. The Portuguese captured this site and built a fort here. During Brtish times this place had a temple dedicated to Lakshmanan the brother of the legendary Rama. It is now a temple of Lord Saman the guardian diety of Sri Pada - Adam's Peak.