Aukana Buddha Statue, Colombo

The Aukana Buddha Statue is a tall standing Buddha carved from a single block of granite. It is over 12 meters high and stands on a carved lotus base. The Buddha’s right hand is raised in the abhaya mudra, a gesture linked to peace and protection. The figure is upright and well balanced, showing careful planning and strong technical skill.

The statue is usually dated to the 5th century, during the reign of King Dhatusena. It belongs to the Anuradhapura period, when large stone sculptures were an important part of Buddhist worship. The robe is carved very close to the body, with fine lines showing folds of fabric. This gives the stone figure a soft, almost flowing look. The face is calm and simple, with lowered eyes and a neutral expression that suggests meditation rather than emotion.

A narrow strip of rock was left behind the statue to support it and protect it from damage over time. This shows that the builders thought carefully about stability as well as appearance. The statue faces east, so early sunlight falls directly on the front, making details of the carving easier to see in the morning.

Visitors usually reach the statue by walking along a short path. The area around it is open, with grass and a few trees, and there are no large structures nearby. This makes it easy to view the statue from different sides. Many people walk slowly around the base, watching how light and shadow change the look of the stone during the day.