The earliest monument found in Sri Lanka is the ‘Stupa’, which is described as a hemispherical dome surmounted with a spire. During the time of Emperor Ashoka (304 - 232 BC) of India , numerous ‘Stupas’ were built at hallowed sites in India. In these were enshrined relics of the Buddha which people venerated. When it was observed that there were no Buddha relics in Sri Lanka, the king, Devanampiyatissa, on Sage Mahinda’s suggestion, appealed to Emperor Ashoka to send some relics. He responded to the king's request and sent the right collarbone relic of the Buddha. King Devanampiyatissa (307-267 BC) built the Thuparama dagaba to enshrine the relic. This was thus the oldest stupa built in Sri Lanka. Originally it was in the shape of a heap of paddy but as restorations were done in later years, it took the form as seen today. It has a diameter of 59 feet 6 inches at the base. As the name suggests, Thuparama comprised a ‘stupa’ and an ‘arama’, a residential complex. Ruins of such a complex can be seen within an area of over three acres around the ‘Stupa’.