Rathnaprasada has drawn attention of the travelers regarding its beauty in Sri lankan Tourism sites. So called of Gem Progression, Rathnaprasada is the Uposatha garaya (Uposatha house) of Abhayagiri viharaya built by king Kavantissa during the 192-194 AD. King Kavantissa was also known as King Kanitta thissa. Rathnaprasada seems not seconded to the Lovamahapaya (Brazon Palce)as there was a competition between Mahavihariyan Bhikkus and Abhayagiriyan Bhikkus. The Sangha resided in Tapovana , transformed to the Rathnaprasada. Lova maha prasada was to Maha vihariyans on the other hand Ratnaprasada or Gem palace was to Abhayagiriyans.
In the 8th centuay king mahinda 2 rebuilt this mansion and placed a Statue of buddha made of gold. In time the subversive Dravidian invaders ‘Pandyans ‘from South India devastated our heritage during the period of 833-853 AD . At that time sri lanka was ruled by king Sena 1. Undoubtly rathnaprasada had to face such challenges due to its wealthy. But they were recovered back by the king sena 2 (853-887AD). Further King Mihindu 2 and King Mihnidu 4 revamped and established the residency of the Abhayagiri monks. But the Kings were able to protect the originality of the Rathnaprasada.
By the way the monks had placed a guard stone at the front of Rathnaprasada to get permanent the security of the prasada and gem stones in the location. The queen’s palace, where the beautiful and largest moonstones were kept is also persuaded near the Ratnaprasada. In order to enter the building, first you have to pass under a gate, similar to a pavilion to the building on the way to the prasada.
Hence you can see a mythical dragon, mighty pillar carved with a seven headed cobra (Naga Gala), amazing guard stone at the inner entrance, monotholic pillars and a ruined building near the ratnaprasada which provide examples for characteristically Sinhala architectural feature. Guard stones (Mura Gal) of Abhayagiri Viharaya were also found in this site. . In fact This guard stone is a great example of stone carving to show that there was a generated architecture in that time Most of the carvings on the ruins are advance and beautiful , Especially the Guard stone. It is evident that this building would be gigantic during the King’s time as there are heavy stone pillars.