ISURUMUNIYA VIHARA

This superb temple dates from the 3rd century B.C. and was built to house 500 young monks from high caste. Interesting carvings depict elephants snorting in the water and others a couple who may be Saliya, the son of King Dutugemunu, and his wife Asokamala, a low-caste woman for whom he renounced the throne. It is also possible, and more likely, that it is a^{fifth-century} work depicting a Hindu god and goddess. It is known today as the Lovers of Isurumuniya.