Sandakada pahana is an elaborately carved semi-circular stone slab; usually placed at the bottom of staircases and entrances and is a unique feature of the Sinhalese architecture of ancient Sri Lanka. It symbolises the cycle of Sa?sara in Buddhism.

Vatadage is a type of Buddhist structure found in Sri Lanka. It is also known as a dage; thupagara; and cetiyagara. Vatadages were built around small stupas for their protection; which often enshrined a relic or were built on hallowed ground.

Polonnaruwa; the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms; was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I; who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 CE to reunite the country under a national leader.