One of five colossal historic Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. It is carved out of the living granite rock and is 11.36 meters high from the double lotus pedestal to the top of the head, and in samabhanga posture. Such colossal statues were probably influenced by late Mahāyana traditions introduced to the earlier established Theravāda traditions in Sri Lanka. Currently, there is no siraspata on the head, although one had been added at an earlier date. The right hand is in the characteristic variant of the abhaya mudrā frequently found in Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. The hand is held with the palm facing the left and not the viewer. The left hand is touching the robe at the left shoulder. The bottom of the robe is draped in the elegant Amarāvatī-style swag. The image has been carved based on the nine faces or navatāla proportion, where the body height is nine times the length of the face. The total height of the statue is 10.98 meters and that of the face is 1/9th. The Buddha statue has the typical elongated earlobes. Such colossal statues were probably influenced by Mahāyana traditions introduced to the established Theravāda traditions in Sri Lanka. See discussion of other examples at Räsvehera (Sesseruwa), Maligawila and Buduruwagala.
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