The 1st century B.C. Dambulla Rock Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (149 km from Colombo, 16 km west of Sigiriya) is a complex of five cave shrines.  Among its highlights are pre-Christian rock inscriptions, sculptures (including a 47 ft long rock-cut reclining Buddha) and Buddhist murals which cover more than 20,000 sq. ft. of cave walls and ceilings, the largest antique painted surface in the world.  Ancient drip-ledge drainage still keeps the caves free of seeping water.

Dambulla cave temple is a treasure trove containing valuable images The Mural Paintings at the Dambulla Rock Temple belong to different period, traces of which can be seen today. The painted Buddha images and the depictions of the life of the Buddha show the ingenuity and artistic expression of those who painted them,  and murals that adorn the cave shrine, drawing visitors daily for its historic fame.