Kechimalai Mosque


The first recorded Muslim settlement on the island took place at Beruwela, 6km north of Aluthgama, in 1024. The Kechimalai Mosque, on a headland north of the hotel strip, is said to be built on the site of the landing and is the focus for a major Eid-ul-Fitr festival at the end of Ramadan. It’s part of a fascinating collection of mosques, churches and temples out by the fishing port and beach.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Aluthgama Market

3.52 MILES

Aluthgama has a bustling market every Monday, located across the train line, towards Dharga Town.

2. Brief Garden

4.35 MILES

You'll find the Brief Garden 10 kilometres inland from Bentota. A barely controlled riot of a garden out of The Jungle Book, the grounds are a lovely…

3. Galapata Raja Temple

5.1 MILES

About 3km inland from Bentota, on the south bank of the Bentota Ganga, this unexpected 12th-century temple has some lovely murals and a 2500-year-old…

4. Kalutara Bhodiya

7.82 MILES

This impressive Buddhist complex features a sacred bodhi tree and a huge hollow dagoba (stupa) with an interesting painted interior depicting scenes from…

5. Madu Ganga

14.4 MILES

Between Ambalangoda and Iduruwa the muddy Madu Ganga dances around the coastline forming a complicated network of lagoons and off-shoots. It’s fantastic…

6. Galigoda Shailathalaramaya Vihara

15.93 MILES

This peaceful Buddhist temple, 5km inland from Ambalangoda, sits on a hill surrounded by cinnamon plantations. The temple has a 35m-long sleeping Buddha…

7. Ariyapala Traditional Masks

16.73 MILES

Ariyapala Traditional Masks is a small ground-floor museum starring a life-sized statue of the last king and queen of Kandy. It also has a shop selling…

8. Ariyapala Mask Museum

16.77 MILES

This museum, with its dioramas and explanations in English, gives an interesting insight into Sri Lankan masks and the meanings behind them. It also sells…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "sri-lanka/west-coast/aluthgama-bentota-and-induruwa/attractions/kechimalai-mosque/a/poi-sig/1194818/357500",
      "position": "superzone"
    }