After surfing at 07:30, you can take day trips from Arugam Bay to see:
- Old ruins
- Panama sand dunes
- Tea plantations
- Waterfalls
- Wildlife in Kumana
Lahugala National Park
Located about 16 kilometers inland to the west of Potuvil is the 1554-hectare Lahugala Kitulana National Park. The Pottuvil-Monaragala trunk road runs through the south-eastern sector of the park. It is 2 kilometers off the main Monaragala-Pottuvil road, some 5 kilometers from Potuvil.
The park lies between larger wildlife reserves of Gal Oya National Park to the north and Ruhuna Yala National Park to the south. The Lahugala park is part of the protected 'Elephant Corridor' for the elephant population to move freely across the south-eastern part of the island initiated by the government as a part of its nature and wildlife conservation project.
Magul Maha Viharaya (ancient site)
Located in the north to the edge of the park is Magula Maha Viharaya, an ancient temple built by King Devanmpiyathissa in the second century BC which also attracts tourists. This temple has a historic vihara. It is said to be the location the King married Princess Vihara Maha Devi. The foundations of the “Magul Maduwa” where the wedding ceremony took place can still be seen in the vihara premises.
The entire vihara complex had covered an extent of around 10,000 acres where ruins of a palace, moonstone, monastery, bo-maluwa, stupas, ponds, etc. are found scattered all over. The moonstone here is said to be unique in the country as this is the only location where elephants are carved with their mahouts in the moonstone.
Muhudu Maha Viharaya
Alongside the Arugam Bay in Pottuvil is an inconspicuous but ancient temple called Muhudu Maha Viharaya. Many archaeologists believe that this spot, also known as the Samudra Maha Vihara, in fact, marks the place at which Princess Devi set foot in the Ruhuna Kingdom. According to a stone inscription that was found in the vicinity of the shrine, this place had also been called Ruhunu Maha Viharaya in the past.
The temple site which has of late been encroached upon by villagers has been reduced to a small shrine with three granite statues. The central statue is of the Buddha with two more sculptures believed to be those of royalty facing it. Believed to have been built in the 5th century AD during the reign of King Dhathusena, many believe the royal figures depicted in worshiping position are in fact those of King Kavantissa and his Queen Vihara Maha Devi.
Okanda
Okanda hilltop has by long tradition been cited as one of the places where a divine katir from Lord Skanda struck. Veddas preserved the sanctity of the place with a simple shrine of stick and ola leaves. According to another myth, the third ray from Vakura Hill reached here and came to rest on this hilltop, making it a favorite site for Murukan worship.
There is yet a third myth according to which, Valli and Murukan arrived in separate stone boats (which still rest on the beach) to reside on top of the Ukantai Malai. The temple is located along the eastern shores of the country, along which the pilgrims walk to Katirkamam. In places like Panama and Kumana, which are close to Ukantai, Tamils and Sinhalese lived in harmony even down to the present day.
Panama
Panama village and region still preserve traces of an agrarian tradition that is many thousands of years old, composed of highly skilled and knowledgeable farmers. The region is also home to an extraordinary genetic diversity, particularly renewable forest products from perennial species and from plants of known medicinal value. Many Panama villagers still maintain the cultural knowledge associated with this region.
