[4] According to ancient chronicle Sinhala Bodhiwamsa, 32 saplings of sacred figs, which were sprouted from Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, were planted in various parts of the country as instructed by Arahant Mahinda Thera.

After the Portuguese took over the control of Maritime Provinces of Sri Lanka in 16th century, the site of the Kalutara Bodhiya was converted into a fort probably due to strategic importance of its location.

After the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English, who succeeded them as colonial rulers of Sri Lanka, also used Kalutara Bodhi premises for administrative and military purposes.

During the 19th century when the British government started to construct railroads in Sri Lanka, it was decided to remove this Bodhi tree as it was obstructing the initial plans to build the Kalutara Railway bridge.

Presently Kalutara Bodhi Trust serves as a non-profit organization which empowers the education and health sectors as well as the civil society in Sri Lanka.