The remote ancient Buddhist site of Bururuvagala (which means 鈥榮tone Buddha images' in Sinhalese) is thought to date from the 10th century; when Mahayana Buddhism dominated parts of Sri Lanka. Carved into the rock face is a huge 16m-high Buddha figure; with three smaller figures on either side.

Avalokitesvara ('Lord who looks down') is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. Portrayed in different cultures as either male or female; Avalokitesvara is one of the more widely revered bodhisattvas in mainstream Mahayana Buddhism; as well as unofficially in Theravada Buddhism. Pictures From Asia Rainer Krack