For a long time the general belief among the historians and archaeologists was that this is the statue of  a great Saint  called Pulasthi or Kapila. However     people by tradition believed it as the statue of King Parakranmabhau. Paranavithan also  is also of the view that this is  the statue of King Parakramabahu.  At present the general public accept it as the statue of King Parakramabahu the Great. When we take the great works of Parakramabahu , the Great , such as  Poth gul Viharaya, Parakrama Samudraya ,  various Image houses he did,  , irrigation works and  his victorious   political campaigns within and outside Sri Lanka,  erection of a statue in his honor  is not something  which can be in doubt.. Some believe that the stupa close by is his tomb.