Wewevehera Rajamaha Viharaya, also known as Panama Rajamaha Viharaya or Panama Wawe Vehera Rajamaha Viharaya, is an ancient Buddhist temple site located about 500 meters from the center of Panama village in the Ampara District. The ruins are situated near the historic Panama reservoir, which continues to supply water to much of the surrounding paddy fields.
The site lies within a cleared area surrounded by jungle. Archaeological evidence, particularly inscriptions found on a drip-ledge cave, dates the origins of the cave temple back to the 2nd century. These early Brahmi inscriptions confirm the long-standing religious significance of the location.
Inscriptions from the 5th to 7th centuries later refer to the temple by its ancient name, Panava Rajamaha Vihara, and mention that it was located in a subdivision known as Vajana. These records indicate that the temple remained an important religious center over several centuries.
The area contains ancient stupas, drip-ledge caves with inscriptions, foundations of former buildings, ponds, stone steps, and other structural remains. Recognizing its archaeological value, the Government of Sri Lanka declared the site a protected archaeological area through a Gazette notification issued on 10th October 2014. The protected zone includes rocky land with archaeological ruins such as hillocks containing ancient chaithyas, building remains, ponds, steps, and inscriptions associated with the Veherakema Buddhist Religious Center. The site is located in Kunukola village within the Panama South Grama Niladhari Division, under the Lahugala Divisional Secretariat in the Ampara District of the Eastern Province.