Rankoth Viharaya is the most prominent Buddhist attraction in Panadura. This temple was built on the top of a natural rock and can seen from the far distance. Early days this place was known as the 'Galkanda Viharaya" and renamed as Rankoth Viharaya in 1890 after Pagoda was build. The name Rankoth means Golden Pinnacle.
According to the belief The Rankoth Vihara Bo tree was older than the temple even. Many people come to this place, do the Bodhi pooja and expects the blessing.
The shrine room of the Rankoth vihara was decorated with large number of murals. Those depict many incidence of the life of the Load Buddha and the many Jathaka Stories.
Rankoth Vihara temple has a very close relationship to the the great Panadura Controversy held in year 26th and 28th in 1873 A.D.. The Panadura Debete site is located close by by the railway line.