Lankathilaka In Polonnaruwa
The large Gedige Lankathilaka ( ornament of Lanka), the image house with a Buddha statue, had 5 stores. It has walls which are 4m trick and still stand 17m high, although the roof has crumbled. The design illustrates the development in thinking which underlay the massive building, for it marks a turning away from the abstract from of the dagaba to a much more personalized faith in the Buddha in human form.

The building is essentially a shrine, built to focus the attention of worshippers on the 18m high statue of the Buddha at the end of the nave. Though built of brick and covered in stucco, the overall design of the buildings shows strong Tamil influence. The exterior bas relief sculpture, most of which is in very impressive, shed light on contemporary architectural style.

Galviharaya In Polonnaruwa
Images of Gal Viharaya are the most impressive sculptures found at Polonnaruwa built in 12th century A.D. by King Parakramabahu the 1st.The great Buddha images of different postures are carved in one granite rock.

The first is a samadhi image in meditation posture while the second is inside a cave and the third standing buddha image with crossed arms and the fourth is a recumbent Buddha image depicting the passing away.

The third standing Buddha image is highly appreciated as it indicates Buddha's great mercy and sorrows also see the ability of the artist who made the black patch going over the nose and avoided going over the eyes.

Parakrama Samudraya In Polonnaruwa

The huge lake upon whose northeastern shore Polonnaruwa rests is an inland sea known as the Parakrama Samudra. The largest irrigation tank of Parakramabahu I. It was the life-blood of the ancient city in the same way that it is the blood life of the religion today, providing water for the growth of thirsty rice crops and other foodstuffs. Its 5,600 acres of water irrigated an estimated 18,200 acres of paddy land.

Five minor lakes were incorporated in the building of the Parakrama Samudra, whose 8 1/2- mile bund contains 4 1/2 million cubic yards of earth. One thousand men employed in the hand labor of the period, working 24 hours a day. could scarcely have completed the job in 12 years.

Vatadage In Polonnaruwa
The Vatadage ( hale of the relic) near the entrance is a circular building with a dageba on concentric terraces with sculptured railings, the largest with a diameter of 18m. A superbly planned and executed 12th century masterpiece attributed to Naissankamalla (1187-1196), the Vatadage has modest proportions but remarkably graceful lines. It was almost certainly intended to house the Tooth Relic. There are impressive guard stones at the entrance of the second terrace and wing stones with makaras enclosing lion figures; the moonstone to the north entrance of the top terrace is superb. The dagaba at the center has four Buddha's (some damaged) with later stone screen.

The Vatadage is circular building on your left as you enter - is probably the oldest monument in Polonnaruwa, preceding by several centuries the establishment of the capital.
At the building's northern entrance is a guard stone (one of a former pair) preventing evil from entering. The moonstone at the second flight of steps is the best preserved in Polonnaruwa. In the center of Vatadage, within the concentric stone columns that once supported a conical roof, four Buddha status face the cardinal points, their backs to the sacred mound of brick all that remains of the dagaba.