The Southern province of Sri Lanka known as Ruhuna, in ancient times, have a significant amount of heritage sites that made a mark in Sri Lanka’s history. The Southern capital of ancient Sri Lanka, Mahagama (now Thissamaharama), is as old as the city of Anuradhapura. Ancient Ruhuna with its harbours was an important link in the so-called Silk Route of the sea. According to the chronicle, in the 3rd century BC King Mahanaga founded the city Mahagama and established his kingdom there. Today it rises as a rectangular hill from a flat plain and is called Akurugoda.
