MAHASENA PALACE

Of this ruined palace, the only point of interest is its entrance and, at its feet, the most beautiful carved moonstone of the country. The palace bears the name of King Mahasena who reigned from 277 to 304. He is best remembered for digging 16 reservoirs throughout the kingdom to irrigate the fields and improve the crops. After the construction of the Minneriya reservoir, his subjects conferred on him the status of a demigod and nicknamed him Minneri Deviyo (the God of Minneriya).