In 2009, 30 years later, a forgotten treasure was revealed to a new audience who had never experienced it before.

Malaya Rata was the name given to ancient Kotmale in the central highlands, and it was here that Prince Gemunu, who later became King Dutugemunu, made his mark. From Ruhun Rata, he fled to Malaya Rata. On the banks of the Kotmale Reservoir, Sinhalese villagers of Kadodara founded the Kadodara Viharaya during this period. This is a major historic site in Kotmale throughout the early 1900s and is an important tributary of the Mahaweli River.

As part of the Mahaweli Development Program's construction of Kotmale Dam in 1979, the Kadadora temple was abandoned and destroyed. The Mahaweli Development Scheme, which encompasses 2,270 ha of fertile land in the Kotmale Valley, began with the construction of the Kotmale Reservoir.

With the construction of the reservoir in 1985, it is estimated that 57 villages, 54 religious sites, and more than 14 tea estates in Kotmale were submerged. When the reservoir was built, other shrines such as Medagoda Vihara, Othalawa Vihara, Thispane Vihara, Pattini Devalaya, and Morape Devalaya were said to be submerged. Many of these temple sites, though, have vanished.

To compensate for the destruction of these holy shrines that were drowned in the reservoir, the Mahaweli authorities began construction of the Mahaweli Maha Seya in 20th March 1983, a bubble-shaped stupa that is only second in height to Anuradhapura's great Ruwanwelisaya.

Ulapane can be reached from Colombo via Gampola or Ginigathhena. From Ulapane, take the Ulapane - Pussellawa road for 9.9 kilometers, stopping at the bend passing the Posta Office on the right side, then crossing the road and walking a few meters into the Kotmale Reservoir.

Especially: Plastic and polythene should be avoided.