The chronicles also state that some of the early inhabitants of the region were Yakkas, a group of people referred to even in the Ramayana, with genealogical links to the pre-Aryan 'Kirat' people of Northern India. The Dipavamsa and the important Pali work, the Samantha Pasaadika. These chronicles state that the Buddha himself visited the village, and on the spot where he sat in meditation a cetiya was later erected (Mhv. The Mahavamsa, an ancient chronicle written in the 5th century, and the Dipavamsa of an earlier date, contain a mixture of legend and historical facts.

2 Medieval Times, Dutch and Muslim Settlers.

The construction is expected to be finished by the end 2023. In more recent (medieval) times, the Sinhalese kings have settled Moor and Dutch settlers in the neighbouring areas. It has also played a role in the political history of the region. The importance of Dighavapi is connected with legends about visits to this site by the Buddha himself, and many allusions to Deeghawapi in the ancient chronicles as well as in the Pali literature.

Water reservoirs, called 'tanks', were an important feature of the hydraulic civilization of ancient Sri Lanka, and temples and cities were built around them.

Deegawapiya sri lanka map