Decsription

<ul>Galgodiyana is an island off Matara lying less than 200 m off the land. It is about 500 m off the popular Polhena beach and 11 km from Mirissa. A ruined stupa built in Thai architecture tradition and a mysterious stone arch are the main attraction of this island.</br>
<br>The history of the ruins of this island goes back to 120 years. A prince named "Prisdang" of Siam (now Thailand) had joined the priesthood in Sri Lanka taking up the name Jinawansa thero as a student of Waskaduwe Sri Subuthi thero and moved to the Galagodiyana island for his meditation. Before joining the priesthood, he was educated in England and served as an ambassador for a number of European countries on behalf of the monarch of Siam. He has fallen out with the Siam monarch and reached Sri Lanka in 1896. </br>
<br>During his stay, the villagers of Paramulla had provided the meals to Jinawansa thero who had been called "Kumara Hamuduruwa" (Prince thero). The villagers had also built a path across the sea to the island using rocks. Some parts of this path have been washed away now.</br>
<br>Jinawansa thero has designed the stupa with entrances from four directions and the other buildings on the island according to the Siamese (Thai) tradition.