Hebessa

  

Ruins of an ancient temple complex is ruin of a ancient temple complex in Koonketiya GS division, Buttala Divisional Secretariat in Monaragala District of Uva Province. The ruins lies deep in the jungle bordering the Yala National Park on a rock plain about 10m in height known as Habessa Ruins. Among these ruins are an ancient inscription and a cave with a large reclining Buddha statue with murals painted on the walls. The department of archaeology had taken no interest on preserving this site making it a prime target for treasure hunters until recently.

The most prominent of the ruins is the cave with the 34 feet (10.5 meter) reclining Buddha statue made with brick and mortar. The rock shelter is about 45 meters in length, 6 meters deep and about 6 meters in height. This cave has been divided in to 3 sections by brick partition walls with a 21 meter long center hall occupying the Buddha statue. Stone pillars in front of the reclining Buddha image indicate that there has been a extended terrace supported by 24 stone pillars laid on a 4×6 grid. The compartments on the two sides may have been used as living quarters for the monks. The left wall is 0.7 meters thick and the right wall is 0.6 meters thick. Traces of 2-3 cm thick plaster paint remains in the ceiling of the cave and a part of the mural (Buddha) is also found in the cave.