The main incumbent of Thelwatta Raja maha vijharaya , Venerable Kahawe Indasara Thero was the founder of Kachchiwatta Viharaya. When he was walking from Galle to Matara near this place he searched for a place to spend the night. The local people and vendors around the Galle port showed this place which was a Shrine built for God Vishnu. People built a temporary hut for the venerable priest using a bunch of cloth (Kachchiya- so the temple got the name Kachchiwatta) After he preached to the local people they invited him to built a temple in this place. That was the beginning of Kachchiwata temple. The very first buildings built at that time can still be seen even today.

The next main incumbent was Weragoda Medalankara thero, He started 5 new branch temples linked to Kachchiwatta temple and the educational center of the temple produced a intelligent and well educated group of students who spread buddism all around the country.

Katukurunde Dewarakkitha thero who became the next incumbent of the temple started new branch temples at Galle and Matara district. he also started the Katukurunde Dewarakkitha Damma School which did a great service to the nation by spreading Damma knowledge among students. Not only Buddhism but also English classes were conducted day and night to educate people. All these services were free of charge. The first Pirivena ( Buddhist School) was started in Galle was Gunarathna Mudalinda Piriwena. founder was venerable ....... thero. This school was a main school in spreading Buddhism among local and foreign people .

Two schools were opened under the branch temples , Batadoowa Rathanajothi Schol by batadoowa Sugatharama Viharaya, Manavila Upananda School by Manavila Neththarama Viharaya , Ukwatte Shakyara School by kachchiwatta temple.

The Kachchiwatta temple was governed under ten generations of Buddhist monks. This is only a glimpse to the great services they have done to the nation, Buddhism and man kind.