Dondra (20th century AD)

Avukana (ca. 8th century AD)

Old And New Buddha Statues

Dondra, Sri Lanka

The standing Buddha at Dondra is an inexact copy of the one at Avukana. The modern statue, with a neon "flame of wisdom" atop its head, illustrates both the continuity and the difference over time of the living Buddhist tradition in Sri Lanka.

Dondra is located on the coast, at the southernmost point of Sri Lanka; if you head out from here, your next stop is the South Pole.