Maligawila Standing Buddha

Tucked away in Uva Province’s Moneragala District, this 45-foot statue is the tallest free-standing Buddha in Sri Lanka.

Carved from a single limestone boulder in the 6th or 7th century AD, it was commissioned by Prince Aggabodhi of the ancient Ruhunu Kingdom. Alongside it stands a 34-foot Bodhisattva figure, both part of a long-abandoned monastic site.

Lost to the forest and rediscovered only in 1951, the statues had been broken by treasure hunters. They were painstakingly restored and raised again in 1980 under the instruction of then-President Ranasinghe Premadasa. The site is also home to the world’s only known square moonstone—a rare architectural curiosity.

Though often compared to the Aukana Buddha, Maligawila feels even more atmospheric thanks to its jungle setting and lack of crowds. The gentle walk in adds to the experience, and the site can be easily incorporated into a wider itinerary with a bit of advance planning.

What You’ll Do

• Visit the tallest free-standing Buddha statue in Sri Lanka

• See a 6th-century Bodhisattva and the world’s only square moonstone

• Walk through peaceful jungle trails to reach the ancient complex

• Learn about the site’s rediscovery and reconstruction in the 20th century

• Enjoy a serene, uncrowded alternative to better-known Buddhist sites