At present, the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya is governed under the authority of the Mahabharakara (administrator) as a separate institution. In ancient times, however, it was part of the Kirivehera Monastery Complex.

The Kataragama Maha Devalaya was built by the great sage Dutugemunu on the basis of a Malasun house under the shade of the Ashtapala Ruha Bodhi. The Kiri Viharaya was also built in the same Bodhi premises. There is evidence that all of this existed as a single complex in the past.