The Somawathiya Chaitya A Buddhist Stupa Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. Royalty-Free Stock Photo

The Somawathiya Chaitya is located within the Somawathiya National Park on the left bank of the Mahaweli River, and is believed to have been built long before the time of Dutugamunu enshrining the right canine Relic of the tooth of the Buddha. It is attributed to the reign of King Kavan Tissa - Dutugemunu’s father - who ruled Magama. Somawathiya is therefore much older than Ruwanwelisaya, Mirisawetiya Vihara or Jetavanaramaya.