This is situated on the peak of a hillock along  Galle Baddegama Road. Because of the sculptured scene of Mahinda Theo’s meeting with King Devanampiya Tissa, it is  some times known as  Minhindu Viharaya. You can also see  a replica of  Saanchi Thorana and statues of   Dasa Maha Yodhayas ( Ten great Giants) of King Dutugemeunu, King Dutu Gemunu himself, and Vihara Maha Devi, all made of stone.

The history of this Temple can be traced back  to the reign of Kalinga Magha of the 13th century.  Sri  Lanka was ruled by a South Indian  invader called Kalinga Magha at that time. It is said that a Tamil commander of Kalinga  Magha named ‘Sandara’, had  his residence here at that time. One day  a contingent of the  Sinhala army encircled this hillock and chieftain and Sandara finding himself  no way of escaping , collected his treasures and  committed suicide by jumping into the lake close by.  It is said that the area where that lake had been is now called ‘Sandarawala’.  Since this commander was ‘sturdy´ ( hedi) and he was a Tamilian ( demala),  this hillock is now called Hedi Demala Kanda.

Hedi Demala Kanda ancient Temple ( Purana Raja Maha Viharaya) is a very popular place of worship among the Buddhists in  that area.