Gokanna Vihara is a Buddhist temple complex on the Swami Rock headland, adjacent to the fort and below the Hindu Koneswaram Temple. The site is ancient — Trincomalee's older name "Gokanna" refers to this sacred location — and the vihara marks a significant Buddhist pilgrimage point on the eastern coast.
The temple is quieter than the Hindu complex above it and receives fewer tourists, which makes for a more contemplative visit. The white stupa and the surrounding meditation hall overlook the sea, and the sound of the waves is audible from within the precincts. The combination of Hindu and Buddhist sacred sites on the same headland is emblematic of Trincomalee's multi-religious character.