This is a colossal statue of Buddha lying close the famous Aukana statue, but not as popular. This statue is called Ras Vehera as well as Sasseruwa (or Sas-seruwa). The height of this statue is recorded as 39 feet 3 inches but according to the chief priest there its height is 42 feet 4 inches. The statue depicts the Abhaya Mudra ( freedom from fear). Like the Aukana the robe of the Buddha is clinging to the body but the final finishes doesn't seems to have been done. The pedestal on which the Buddha is carved is not decorated and it is only a square block of stone. One ear is also unfinished. All this indicate that this statue was never fished for a unknown reason. According to chronicles The King Mahasena (276-303 AD) who ruled from Anuradhapura has built a statue called "Rahera" statue at the base of the "Rahera" cliff. It is thought that Ras Vehera is this statue and after his death the work on the site has also halted. This statue also lacks the "Siraspatha" at the top of the head which is seen in the Aukana statue. But it is said that there has been a wooden "Siraspatha" in early days. There also has been a housing structure around the statue for protection as the rock in which the statue is carved is fairly soft. All this has been destroyed during the North Indian Tamil invasion (of Kalinga Maga). The Bo Tree in the site is a sapling of the very first 32 saplings (Dethis maha bo Ankara) of the Sri Maha Bodhi in the Anuradhapura and is thought to be planted by the king Devanapiyatissa (250 - 210 BC). It is said that on the day the tree was planted the area was lit by colourful rays of light (Ras). Thus the name 'Ras Vehera' was attached to this site. The tree is protected by a 10 feet tall 4 layers of tightly packed stones. This is too is a unique feature of the unique feature comparable to Bodhighara seen in other temples. This place is also called Sasseruwa (or Sas-seruwa) which could be interpreted as the "similar statue". This could be due the proximity of the Aukana Statue and the similarities. Folklore also tells that the Ras Vehera statue was done by the same person and this was a trial before starting off the famous Aukana Statue. There are 2 image houses in addition to the main Buddha image cut in to the stone. One is on the same path you climb to the rock statue but before the Bo tree. This image house inside a cave is called "Raja Maha Viharaya" and the stupa is said to be built by King Valagamba (89-77 BC). As you enter is a beautiful Makara Thorana and underneath is a beautiful seating Buddha statue. The other cave image house contains a massive reclining Buddha statue. You can see several places in this statue where treasure hunters have broken in to and freshly repaired. According to the priest of the temple this is 39 feet long and has some unique features not found in other shrine caves. It is possible to walk around this statue. Another feature is the robe on the statue has been hand wove