November 3, 2021

Arankele monastry, situated about 20km from the city of Kurunegala can be reached through Madagalla road after turning left at the Ibbagamuwa junction on Kurunegala – Dambulla main road. One can see remnants of stone carved dripped ledges, ponds, medicinal baths, ruins of an ancient ayurvedic hospital, caves, lecture halls and caves for meditation. Arahant Maliyadewa thero who is believed to be the last arahant of Sri Lanka lived in this hermitage with thousands of monastics. Arankele is part of the same mountain range as Dunkanda, Madukanda, Ambalankanda which are situated to the north of Dolukanda. The hermitage situated at the foot of the hill was named “Aramakele” due to the existence of monasteries which was later came to be known as “Arankele”. Anyone who enter this archeological site would notice the long winding pathways shaded by magnificent hardwood trees like “Na”, “Godapara”, “Moonamal”. There are monastics who practice meditation living in these caves and also evidence available to believe that the last arahant of Sri Lanka, arahant Maliyadewa thero lived here.