 The structure was identified in 1946 as Dakkhina Stupa by the eminent archaeologist Senarath Paranavithana.This structure was for centuries locally known as the tomb stone of king Ellalan, known as "Elara Sohona," which was worshipped by Tamils and Sinhalese.According to the legends this site was known as the Pulila terrace as there was a growing Pulila tree at that time period and the thero, Mihindu had requested from the King Devanampiya Tissa (307 BC – 267 BC) to cremate his remains here.