A little tableland immediately below the Silakúta of the Missaka Mountain in Ceylon. It was near here that Mahinda and his companions alighted after their aerial journey from Jambudípa (Mhv.xiii.20). There King Mahádáthika-Mahánága built the Ambatthala Thúpa, risking his own life in order to make the building secure. He made a cover for the whole thúpa and, at its dedication, held the great Giribhandapújá (Mhv.xxiv.68-81). Kanitthatissaka built a monastery attached to the thúpa (Mhv.xxxvi.9), which Gothábhaya renovated (Mhv.xxxvi.106).
The vihára was rebuilt or enlarged by Dhátusena. He intended to give it into the charge of the Theravádins, but ultimately gave it to the Dhammarucikas at the latters' request (Cv.xxxviii.76). Sirimeghavanna had a life-size golden image of Mahinda placed in the Ambatthala Cetiya (Cv.xxxvii.69).
It is said that the place was so called after the riddle of the mango tree (Mhv.xiv.17ff.) with which Mahinda put Devánampiyatissa's discernment to the test. Even now mango trees are planted near the ceitya in memory of the event (Cv.trans. i.4. n.5).
Other names for the place are Cetiyambatthala (Cv.xxxvii.69) and Therambatthalaka (Mhv.xxxvi.106).