Ridee Viharaya means Silver Temple. After the waging war with King Elara, King Dutugemunu’s treasury was depleted. Hence funding for the building of Ruwanweli Seya was a immense burden on the treasury. The story is that a trader travelling in a caravan stopped close by to this cave for their meals. The trader in need of wood for whips went up the Mountain when he came across bread fruit tree bearing one fruit as large as a water pitcher. The trader thought he will give the first part of the fruit as alms. With faith he announced the meal time and 4 arahats came hither. He tore out the bottom part of the fruit and poured the juice into their arms bowl. Yet again he announced the meal time and another 4 arahats came hither. To them he tore out the kernels and placed in their alms bowls. 3 of them went on their way, but one stay behind and went a bit further and sat down to have his meal. This spot is today marked by a stone structure. Once he has taken his meal, the thera pointed out the cave with a rich vein of Silver to the trader. After all the silver was mined, the cave was converted into a temple.

Today the temple has been very aesthetically renovated retaining its ancient splendour. It is easily accessible by car. The