About 12km west of Pottuvil lies the evocative 5th-century ruin of Magul Maha Vihara. Set in a peaceful forested location, and probably built by King Dhatusena (r 459–77), the site was most likely part of a royal compound. The main point of interest is the beautiful and well-preserved moonstone at the foot of a former shrine; it’s unusual for depicting mahout astride some the elephant images. The site is 800m south of the A4 on a road just west of the 307km post.
There's also an elevated stupa, in good condition and guarded by stone lions, a vatadage (circular relic house) on a cross-shaped platform that – in a stroke of ancient trompe l’oeil – is "supported" by the stone pillars and crouched lions around its base. Note the streamlined elephant-trunk railings along the site’s staircases. Some sources contend that parts of the temple date to the 2nd century BCE.
A little further east, between the 308km and 309km posts is Kotawehera, the ruined remains of an ancient brick stupa, which enjoys a magnificent situation upon a hilltop. On a clear day, there are spectacular vistas over forests to the wetlands around Pottuvil Lagoon.
