In ancient times, the building included the refectory and the uposathagara (Uposatha house). There was also a
simamalake where the
Sangha assembled on
Poya days to recite the sutra of the confessional. The famous
Lohaprasada built by
King Dutugemunu, described as an edifice of nine stories, was a building of this class. One side of the building was 400 ft (120 m) in length. There are 40 rows, each row consisting of 40 stone pillars, for a total of 1600 pillars. It is believed that it took six years for the construction of the building and the plan was brought from the heavens. The building was completely destroyed during the reign of King Saddhatissa. The small building in the center is late construction and is the Venue of Uposatha (chapter house)of the Maha Vihara even now.