Dead body found in Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Temple

As per fanciful history Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya (at right) was constructed by King Dutugemunu around 160 years B.c. in satisfaction of a promise to thrashing King Elara in fight. It was invested with huge degree of area by King Dutugemunu for its support and ensuing rulers did in like manner. The 'building is a basic structure of two flats and with no embellishments or show of glory. It has not experienced any major structural modifications, amid this long stretch of in excess of 2,000 years since its development. Rubeiro in his History of Ceylon says that 'four groups inland from this recognize (the salterns in Hambantota) is a Pagoda held in extraordinary respect by the Grutiles; here are safeguarded the offerings which had been made for some ages, comprising of gold, gems and valuable stones, and 500 furnished men are constantly kept up with all due respect".

This was in 1642 when Rubeiro was one of the 150 Portuguese and 2,000 Lascarins who made a vain endeavor to find this Pagoda and loot its riches, yet "were compelled to turn back the way we had come without effecting anything and without actually seeing the Pagoda, which is called Catergao".