 Currently, 565 Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka function under Asgiri Viharaya of Kandy.Asgiri Maha Viharaya was founded by Commander Siriwardhana on the instructions of Parakramabahu IV of Kurunegala (1305-1335 A.D.).Situated north of the Kandy Lake, this temple is believed to be considerably older than the Malwathu Maha Viharaya, the other monastic centre of the Siyam Nikaya.