Aukana Buddha statue Area (Polonnaruwa)

This 5th century statue ascribed to King Dhatusena is 42.5 feet (13 m) high and is situated 32 miles (51 km) southeast of Anuradhapura.
Aukana means sun eating. It stands beneath a recently constructed brick shelter, a replica of the enclosure said to have contained it 1000 years ago. The statue is best viewed when the sun rises.

A replica of the Aukana statue stands opposite the BMICH in Colombo on Bauddhaloka Mawatha. A smaller replica is found at the Paramananda Purana Viharaya in Kotahena