Dambulla cave temple was made by King Wattagamini Abhaya, also know as Walagambahu, in 1st Cen. BC. These caves provided refuge to the king in his exile period from Anuradhapura kingdom. Buddhist monks who lived in caves since 3rd Cen. BC protected the king from South Indian invaders.
After 13 years exile period, king Walagamba defeated enemies and returned to the throne and converted the caves into a temple in the first century BC. as a gratitude to the monks in this place. Several kings added to it later.
There are 153 Buddha statues, as well as two Gods as Vishnu and Saman, two Bodhisattvas three kings and Anada Buddha’s most devoted disciple stature can be found in five caves.
So many paintings in whole walls and ceiling. These paintings emphasize the talent of ancient artists. Dambulla cave temple was announced as a world heritage site in 1991 by UNESCO.