Maliyadeva was a monk who is said to have lived in Sri Lanka during the 2nd century BCE and to have attained nirvana.[1]
According to the Mahavamsa, part of Theravādin tradition, Maliyadeva was the last well-known arhat who had high psychic powers ( Abigngnalabhi: in Sinhala:අභිඥ්ඥාලාභී අරහතුන් වහන්සේ ) in Sri Lanka[2] and Buddhism in Sri Lanka declined after this period. A legend says he brought four Buddha statues from India to Sri Lanka.[3]
His meditation chamber may be seen at Arankale[4][5]and his dwelling place at Guharamaya.[6] According to folklore, Arahant Maliyadeva is said to have lived in Ravanagoda, Kotmale.