Buddhist Forest Monasteries and Meditation Centres in Sri Lanka

22Atdalagala AS. Giratalana, Migaleva. Chief Monk: Ven. Nyāṇavīra. Between Kekirāva and Galgamuva. Aranya set up byVen. Ariyañāṇa, an old and friendly English-speaking meditation teacher formerly connected to Kanduboda.Western monks have stayed here. Forest, caves. Hot climate. Elephants. 2 km from the Resvehera-Sasseruvaarcheological sites. From Galgamuva take a bus to Katugampola and stop at Bongama. From there it is 1 ½ km walk.Aff. Kanduboda. 5 kms to the south is the Galgiriyakanda mountain, on which there are several Vaturavila aranyascum pansalas with many rock overhangs. One of them is Sāliya Lena AS. Galgiriyakanda, Moragollāgama. About 5kms from Eddagala. Aff. Vaturavila. On another side of the mountain is Nilgirikanda Aranya with an ancientreclining Buddha image in a cave.Sambodhi Y. Y Kuratiyāva, Migaleva 60750. 15 kms W from Kekirāva. Good new kuṭis and facilities, adjacent to largeveva (tank/lake). Possibly good for meditation. Hot, mosquitos, but good support. 3 monks. Take bus from Kekirāva.Aff. Galdūva.Dhamma Anurādha VM, Ichchankulama Wewa Road, Kalattewa, Kurundankulama, Anuradhapura. Phone: [025] 222-6959 Mobile: [071]4182094. Website: www.anuradha.dhamma.org. A large new Vipassana meditation centreconnected to the meditation tradition of Goenkaji.Pancha Stūpa A. Palugolla. Mahananneriya. From Galgamuva, take a bus to Anamadūva and get off at Ihala Nanneriyajunction. On a hill with an ancient stupa. Tradition unknown. Mahamevnāva Bhāvanā Asapuva. Vatavandana Road,Lolugasveva, Anurādhapura. Connected to Ven. K. Ñāṇānanda. Tel. 025-492-8155. Vedisagiri A. Sanghappālaya,Vannikudaveva, Galgamuva 60721. = Between Māho and Anurādhapura. Aff. Galdūva. Purāṇa a Gallena AS.Tammennāva, Tambuttagama 60734. = 25 kms S of Anurādhapura. Maradankadavala AS. Maradankadavala. OnAnurādhapura–Kekirāva Rd, 30 kms SE of Anurādhapura. Aff. Galdūva. Yodhayākanda AS. Dampitigama,Halmillaveva. About 50 kms E of Anurādhapura on Anurādhapura- Trincomalee road. Aff. Vaturavila. Mihindu A.Anurādhapura. Along road from Mihintale to Anurādhapura. Pirivena and ordination centre connected toVaturavila.Trincomalee DistrictTrincomalē is a large port and has a mixed community of Sinhalese, Muslims, and Tamils. There are some ancientBuddhist sites in this area. The interior is undeveloped and poor. There are some large wilderness areas.Mahamevnāva va BhāvanBvanā Asapuva, Seruvavila. Large cetiya, no kutis, rooms only. Many tourists. MahamevnāvavaBhāvanvanā Asapuva, Kantalai. Tel. 026-492-9024. Next to lake, good kutis, walking paths. 7 monks. Kathārampura AS.Kathārampura, Duṭuveva. North of Ratmale, 50 kms 22 from Trincomalē on the Anurādhapura-Trincomalē road.Not very accessable. Aff. Vaturavila. Vān Ela AmādaharaTapovanaya, Near Kantalai; mid-way the on theHabarana–Trincomalē Road. Aff. Tapovana group. Pulmoddai Monastery, Pulmoddai. A monastery close to the coastand sand mining corporation. Abbot: Dhammagavesi Thera, speaks English well.Vavuniya and Jaffna DistrictSituated on the northernmost limit of Sinhalese Buddhist culture. Due to the previous armed conflict, there are notmany new monasteries here, but probably quite a few ancient ones.Galpiyuma AS. / Galpokuna A. Kahatagolleva, Padaviya. Approx. 30 kms E of Vavuniya. On the road betweenKebitigollӕva and Padaviya, get off at Kahatagalleva. Ancient cave monastery in large forest area with elephants.Good seclusion. It can be hot here. Ruins scattered in forest. Aff. Galdūva.Padaviya Abhayabhūmi Tapovanaya. Deviyangekanda, Padaviya. On a hill with a few caves. Near army camp. Aff.Tapovana group.Dambakolapatuna. Keerimalai, Kankasanture, Jaffna Peninsula. One or two kuṭis in quiet dune area near the beach,close to the Navy base, which supports the kuṭis. It is possible to go on piṇḍapāta in nearby villages. This isreputedly the place where the Sri Mahā Bodhi arrived in Sri Lanka.