Velgama Vihara 

This temple is situated on Trincomalee Anuradhapura road (A12) about 15 km Northeast of Trincomalee town. There is a sine board erected on the A-12 highway at the beginning of the B-447 secondary road running towards the ancient temple complex. 

The archaeological heritage found in the 19th century and conservation work has been taken place since then. However, the LTTE (Liberation Tamil Tigers of Elam) controlled of area for the last 30 years until September 2009, when the temple was again abandoned. In the year 2000, there was a brutal attack by LTTE killing many innocent devotees including children for no reason. Chief monk is surviving after serious surgery from the attack.

According to the archaeological explanations this temple was built here during the 3rd century BC by King Devanampiyatissa who ruled the country from Anuradhapura and was known as who become the first Buddhist in modern history of the country. Architectural designs and building planning are very similar to the ruins found in Anuradhapura in the same period.
The temple has been renovated and developed by many Kings and Quins from the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa periods with good evidence of Hindu architectural influences.

A rock inscription was found at the temple in the Tamil language, proving that there were Tamil Buddhist devotees who looked after this temple in the early centuries. According to some historians, that inscription story is about a Tamil cattle farming lady who donated her income to the temple after selling her cow milk.

The temple was completed with all elements of Buddhist temples including the Bodhi Tree, Relic Chamber (Thupa), and Image house. There are two images of Buddha, a reclining statue and a standing statue in the main shrine room. The main shrine building is more influenced by South Indian architecture. At the entrance of the shrine room could see 4 smaller shrine rooms on both sides believed to have placed 4 images of Buddhas' of this eon.
Unfortunately, all statues were destroyed including the building itself but the main statue at the center remains in good condition in Abya Muddra.

The reclining Buddha statue only be considered from the remaining brickwork which is not be able to understood some one who is not familiar with Buddhist monuments. 

Bodhi Tree premises are easy to identify with its wall and the decoration but there is no Bodhi Tree alive anymore at the premises.

The Relic chamber has been destroyed, which was restored up to certain level to indicate the fact that a complete Stupa was rising to the sky. Relics enshrined here are not sure where I haven't found any related story yet.

By: Eranga Jayasinghe 
Ref: I visited the temple with 13 Canadian and American tourists on 10th April 2013. They came on a cruise to the Trincomalee port and we went on a sightseeing tour. We met the chief monk and he told us the story of the LTTE attack in the year 2000. In a small room at the temple display some pictures taken soon after the attack. Also, he showed us, the healed wounded marks on his stomach by the Tamil Tigers' attack.

Historic relations were briefed by Mr. Hettiarachchi who is a retired officer of the Sri Lanka Tourism Authority on the day before when we visited the site for pre-studies of the history.