sevenby3

Monday, November 2, 2026

Kathaluwa Ranwella Temple - I

Kathaluwa Ranwella and Giniwella temples are twin temples in adjoining sites. It appears to be that they have started as a single temple in 1820s by Bulathgama Sri Sumanathissa Dhammalankara Thera and were later split due to sectorial disputes between the Asgiri and Amarapura Chapters. Giniwella temple is today known as Nawamuni Vihara.

Ranwella temple exhibits the first (or one of the earliest) Sinhala press in Sri Lanka. The British made letter press was a donation by the then king Chulalongkorn (locally pronounced Chulalankara) of Thailand. It was located in Paramananda Viharaya in Galle during its operational life and was used to print the country’s first Buddhist Publications Lankalokaya and the Lakmini Pahana till 1910. The first print of the Lankalokaya was printed on 10th September 1860 and the Lakmini Pahana was started on 11th September 1862. The first editors of the press were Bulathgama Siri Dammalankara Thero and Dodanduwe Piyarathana Thero. Lankalokaya is considered as the first (or one of the earliest) Sinahala news paper / news letter.

Octagonal Image House - This is an unusual form for a Buddhist temple images house in Sri Lanka.

Priests' residence

Press - The library block that housed the press caught fire (some suspected it was an arson) some time back. This plaque commemorate the refurbishment work done with the contributions from the Thai embassy.

Original press after refurbishments

"Lankalokaya" news paper

It appears to be that following elements are shared by the two temples. This area can be accessed from both temples. Though there are gated walls, the gates are open.

Stupa - It is interesting to see that 'Thorana' structure state this as a 'Mausoleum' in English.