Stupas of Ancient Sri Lanka

The dagobas, or stupas, are distinctive for many reasons. They are probably the largest brick structures known to the pre-modern world. Demala Maha Seya, which was never completed, had a circumference of 2,011 feet (613 m). Jetavanaramaya is the largest stupa constructed in any part of the world. It is over 120 metres (390 ft) in height and has a diameter of 367 feet (112 m). The foundation is 252 feet (77 m) deep. The deepest-known foundation of the ancient world. It needed bricks that could bear the load of 368 pounds (167 kg). Jetavana was the third-tallest building in the ancient world. Abhayagiri (370 feet (110 m)) ranked fifth and Ruwanwelisaya (300 feet (91 m)) came seventh. The first, fourth and sixth places were held by the pyramids.

• Ruwanwelisaya
• Thuparamaya
• Ridi Vihara
• Lovamahapaya
• Abhayagiri Dagaba
• Jetavanarama
• Mirisaveti Stupa
• Lankarama
• Isurumuniya
• Rathna Prasadaya
• Dakkhina Stupa
• Sela Cetiya
• Naka Vihara
• Kiribath Vehera
• Pubbarama
• Tapovana

Ruwanwelisaya:

The Ruwanwelisaya is a stupa in Sri Lanka, considered a marvel for its architectural qualities and sacred to many Buddhists all over the world. It was built by King Dutugemunu c. 140 B.C., who became lord of all Sri Lanka after a war in which the Chola King Elara, was defeated. It is also known as Mahathupa, Swarnamali Chaitya, Suvarnamali Mahaceti (in Pali) and Rathnamali Dagaba.

This is one of the Solosmasthana (the 16 places of veneration) and the Atamasthana (the 8 places of veneration in the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura). The stupa is one of the world's tallest monuments, standing at 103 m (338 ft) and with a circumference of 290 m (951 ft).The Kaunghmudaw Pagoda in Sagaing, Myanmar is modeled after this stupa.

The largest Stupa after Ruwanwelisaya was build in was the Kotmale Mahaweli Maha Seya. This stupa took 33 years and 3 months to complete.

The stupa was an ancient ruin in the 19th century. After fundraising efforts by Sinhalese bhikkhu, the stupa was renovated in the early 20th century.The Ruwanveli Seya Restoration Society was founded in 1902 and the final crowning of the stupa took place on 17 June 1940.

Thuparamaya:

Thuparamaya dagoba has been built in the shape of a bell. This dagoba was destroyed from time to time. During the reign of King Agbo II it was completely destroyed and the King restored it. What is seen presently is the construction of the dagoba, done in 1862 AD. As of today, after several renovations, in the course of the centuries, the monument has a diameter of 59 ft (18 m), at the base. The dome is 11 feet 4 inches (3.45 m) in height from the ground, 164 ¹⁄₂ ft (50.1 m) in diameter. The compound is paved with granite and there are 2 rows of stone pillars round the dagaba. During the early period a vatadage was built round Thuparamaya.

Thuparamaya is a dagoba in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhist sacred place of veneration.

Mahinda Thera, an envoy sent by King Ashoka himself introduced Theravada Buddhism and also chetiya worship to Sri Lanka. At his request King Devanampiyatissa built Thuparamaya in which was enshrined the collarbone of the Buddha. It is considered to be the first dagaba built in Sri Lanka following the introduction of Buddhism. This is considered the earliest monument, the construction of which was chronicled Sri Lanka. The name Thuparamaya comes from "stupa" and "aramaya" which is a residential complex for monks.

Ridi Vihara:

Ridi Viharaya or Silver Temple is a 2nd-century BCE Theravada Buddhist temple in the village of Ridigama, Sri Lanka. Built during the reign of Dutthagamani of Anuradhapura, the temple is considered as the place where the silver ore, which providedsilver to complete Ruwanwelisaya; one of the largest stupa in Sri Lanka, was discovered. According to the chronicles Mahavamsa and Thupavamsa, the Ridi Viharaya complex was built in gratitude for helping him cherish his dream of completing Ruwanwelisaya.

Associated buildings, structures and locations

Serasum Gala:

A rock to the right of the entrance, which is believed to be the place where the initial temple was built. It is also considered that this was the place where king Dutthagamanidressed prior to worshipping the temple. A small stupa is located on top of this rock.

Waraka Welandu Wiharaya:

Waraka Welandu Viharaya is a Polonnaruwa era building, considered as the place where the Arhat monks accepted jackfruit from the merchants. The name "Waraka Welandu Viharaya" (temple which the jackfruit was consumed) implies this notion. This small Gedige-type building of the size of a room, is built in stone and contains a number of Kandyan era paintings. Its stone roof rests on eight stone pillars, which are decorated on all four sides. Hindu influence can be observed in the carvings of female dancers, which are usually not found in Buddhist temples.

Hewisi Mandapaya:

Located in front of the Maha Viharaya, the Hevisi Mandapaya (or the drummers' pavilion) contains a rice bowl and other objects of historical value. A centuries-old Pallakkiya, which was used to carry elderly monks, can also be seen hung on its roof.

Maha Viharaya:

Maha Viharaya, or the main temple, is located inside the Rajatha lena (or thesilver cave); a massive rock which takes the shape of a cobra head. This cave is considered as the place where the original silver ore was found. Various monarchs, including Amandagamani Abhaya (21-31 CE) and Parakramabahu I of Polonnaruwa (1153-1186 CE) have sponsored the reconstruction and expansion of this temple, which is the oldest of all buildings in the complex.It contains a number of Buddharupa in various gestures. This include a 9-metre recumbent Buddha statue and an Anuradhapura era-gold plated Buddha statue. According to Ridi vihara asna, a chronicle, the latter was brought down from India.Other statues: including an ancient statue which is believed to be of king Dutthagamani, eight standing Buddha statues, an Avalokiteśvara statue and areclining Buddha statue donated by Burma can also be seen inside this building. The floor in which recumbent Buddha statue is placed, is decorated with Dutch era porcelain floor tiles: popularly known as "Bible tiles".These blue-and-white tiles portray various biblical figures and stories such as expulsion from the Garden of Eden, dove of peace, prophets of yore, the last supper, burning bush and the creation of man.These tiles were gifted to king Kirti Sri Rajasinha by a Dutch envoy. All rooves and walls of Maha Viharaya are decorated with paintings.

Uda Viharaya:

Uda Viharaya, or the upper temple belongs to the Kandyan era, and contains a seated Buddha statue with Makara Thorana and a Sandakada pahana (moonstone). This Sandakada pahana is a unique design, as it takes a semi-circular shape instead of a triangular shape, which is more common in similar designs of Kandy era.There are also sculptures of Hindu deities around the main statue. The chamber contains paintings of mythological animals and Ravana: a main character of the legend, the Ramayana. A stupa is located by the right side of this temple. At the entrance, is a Hindu devalaya, which is dedicated to the protector god of the area.

Lovamahapaya:

Lovamahapaya is a building situated between Ruvanveliseya and Sri Mahabodiya in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is also known as the Brazen Palace or Lohaprasadaya because the roof was covered with bronze tiles.In ancient times, the building included the refectory and the uposathagara (Uposatha house). There was also a simamalake where the Sangha assembled on Poya days to recite the sutra of the confessional. The famous Lohaprasada built by King Dutugemunu, described as an edifice of nine stories, was a building of this class. One side of the building was 400 ft (120 m) in length. There are 40 rows, each row consisting of 40 stone pillars, for a total of 1600 pillars. It is believed that it took six years for the construction of the building and the plan was brought from the heavens. The building was completely destroyed during the reign of King Saddhatissa.

Whilst the Jetavanaramaya, Abhayagiriya and Ruwanwelisaya were taller structures, the Lovamahapaya remained the tallest building of the island for over a millennium between 155BC and 993AD. The small building displayed now is a recent construction and is the Venue of Uposatha (chapter house) of the Maha Vihara even now.

Abhayagiri Dageba:

Abhayagiri Vihāra was a major monastery site of Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism that was situated in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is one of the most extensive ruins in the world and one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage cities in the nation. Historically it was a great monastic centre as well as a royal capital, with magnificent monasteries rising to many stories, roofed with gilt bronze or tiles of burnt clay glazed in brilliant colors. To the north of the city, encircled by great walls and containing elaborate bathing ponds, carved balustrades and moonstones, stood "Abhayagiri", one of seventeen such religious units in Anuradhapura and the largest of its five major viharas. One of the focal points of the complex is an ancient stupa, the Abhayagiri Dagaba. Surrounding the humped dagaba, Abhayagiri Vihara was a seat of the Northern Monastery, or Uttara Vihara and the original custodian of the Tooth relic in the island.

The term "Abhayagiri Vihara" means not only a complex of monastic buildings, but also a fraternity of Buddhist monks, or Sangha, which maintains its own historical records, traditions and way of life. Founded in the 2nd century BC, it had grown into an international institution by the 1st century AD, attracting scholars from all over the world and encompassing all shades of Buddhist philosophy. Its influence can be traced to other parts of the world, through branches established elsewhere. Thus, the Abhayagiri Vihara developed as a great institution vis‑a‑vis the Mahavihara and the Jetavana Buddhist monastic sects in the ancient Sri Lankan capital of Anuradhapura.

Jetavanaramaya:

The Jetavanaramaya is a stupa located in the ruins of Jetavana in the sacred world heritage city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Mahasena of Anuradhapura (273–301) initiated the construction of the stupa following the destruction of the mahavihara. His son Maghavanna I completed the construction of the stupa.A part of a sash or belt tied by the Buddha is believed to be the relic that is enshrined here.

The structure is significant in the island's history for it represents the tensions within the Theravada and Mahayana sects of Buddhism; it is also significant in recorded history as one of the tallest structures in the ancient world;and the second tallest non-pyramidal buildings after Pharos (lighthouse) of Alexandria; the height of the stupa is 400 feet (122 m),making it the tallest stupa in the ancient world. The structure is no longer the tallest, but it is still the largest, with a base-area of 233,000 m² (2,508,000 sq ft). Approximately 93.3 million baked bricks were used in its construction; the engineering ingenuity behind the construction of the structure is a significant development in the history of the island. The sectarian differences between the Buddhist monks also are represented by the stupa as it was built on the premises of the destroyed mahavihara, which led to a rebellion by a minister of King Mahasena.

This stupa belongs to the Sagalika sect. The compound covers approximately 5.6 hectares and is estimated to have housed 10,000 Buddhist monks. One side of the stupa is 576 ft (176 m) long, and the flights of stairs at each of the four sides of it are 28 ft (9 m) wide. The doorpost to the shrine, which is situated in the courtyard, is 27 ft (8 m) high. The stupa has a 8.5 m (28 ft) deep foundation, and sits on bedrock. Stone inscriptions in the courtyard give the names of people who donated to the building effort.

Mirisawetiya Dageba:

The Mirisaveti Stupa is situated in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.King Dutugamunu (161 BC to 137 BC) built the Mirisaveti Stupa after defeating King Elara. After placing the Buddha relics in the sceptre, he had gone to Tissa Wewa for a bath leaving the sceptre. After the bath he returned to the place where the sceptre was placed, and it is said that it could not be moved. The stupa was built in the place where the sceptre stood. It is also said that he remembered that he partook a chilly curry without offering it to the sangha. In order to punish himself he built the Mirisavetiya Dagaba. The extent of this land is about 50 acres (20 ha). Although the king Kasyapa I and Kasyapa V renovated this, from time to time it was dilapidated. What stands today is the renovation done by the cultural Triangle Fund.

Lankarama:

Lankarama is a stupa built by King Valagamba, in an ancient place at Galhebakada in the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Nothing is known about the ancient form of the stupa, and later this was renovated. The ruins show that there are rows of stone pillars and it is no doubt that there has been a house built encircling the stupa (vatadage) to cover it. The round courtyard of the stupa seems to be 10 feet (3 m) above the ground. The diameter of the stupa is 45 feet (14 m). The courtyard is circular in shape and the diameter is 1332 feet (406 m).

Isurumuniya:

Isurumuniya is a Buddhist temple situated near to the Tissa Wewa (Tisa tank). There are four carvings of special interest in this Vihara. They are the Isurumuniya Lovers, Elephant Pond and The Royal Family.

Rathna Prasadaya:

Rathna Prasadaya was a skyscraper built by King Kanittha Tissa who ruled Ceylon from 167 to 186 AD. Mihindu II and Mihindu IV renovated the building during the 8th and 10th centuries. The bhikkhus of the Tapovana belonging to the Pansakulika sect resided here. Beautiful guard stones of the Abhayagiri Viharaya were found here.The most beautiful and perfect guardstone of the Anuradhapura era which stands today can be seen here.

Dakkhina Stupa:

Dakkhina Stupa also called Dakkhina Tupa is a 2nd-century BC structure. This structure currently identified as a Buddhist stupa, but considered until the mid-1800s CE as Elara Sohona, the tomb of 2nd century BCE Tamil king Elara, who invaded Sri Lanka from the Chola Kingdom, in the Tamil country and ruled in Anurahapura.

Sela Chetiya:

Sela Cetiya is one of the 16 main places of worship or Solosmasthana and is situated to the west of Jetavanaramaya in the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. This was constructed by King Lajjitissa who ruled in the 1st century BC. The diameter of the base of the stupa is 37 ½ feet. This stupa has been given this name as the platform and stupa has been constructed in stone. A moonstone and guardstones can be seen here.

Naka Vihara:

Naka Vihara is a dagoba belonging to the late Anuradhapura period between 7-10 centuries C.E.and located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The dagoba has been built with bricks and square in shape. The site was constructed according to an unusual model and would have been similar to the seven story building (Satmahal Prasadaya) in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. Excavations done at this location revealed several clay caskets.

Kiribath Vehera:

Kiribath Vehera is situated in the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The remains of this vihara shows that it is 30 feet in height and the circumference is 435 feet. The date of construction and the king who built it, is unknown. In close proximity to this are the ruins of an image house. There is controversy whether the Pattamaka Chetiya built by King Devanampiyatissa is one and the same.

Reservoirs

A wealth of river basin-based water heritage is abundant in Sri Lanka.Reservoirs of Sri Lanka are different from the water tanks seen in ancient civilisations or bodies of water collected for purposes such asgeneration of electricity or supplying water for consumption.

Tanks are locally termed Wevas,

• Parakrama Samudraya or Sea of Parakrama
• Kantale Wewa
• Yoda Wewa
• Tissa Wewa (Anuradhapura)
• Muruthawela Wewa
• Hurulu Wewa
• Tissa Wewa (Tissamaharama)
• Nuwara Wewa
• Nachchaduwa Wewa

Parakrama Samudraya:

This vast water reservoir was built by King Parakramabahu the great (1153-1186) and today what you see as the Parakrama Samudraya is only a portion of his original creation.Parakrama Samudraya originally consisted of five large reservoirs separated by smaller dams to reduce the pressure on the main dam. Many smaller tanks has been built around the main tank to feed these primary tanks and to take in excess water.

The main five reservoirs which consist of the Parakrama Samudraya are,

• Thopa Vawa
• Eramudu Vewa (Katu Vewa)
• Dumbuthulu Vewa
• Kalahagala Vewa
• Bhu Vewa

During reconstruction of the Parakrama Samudraya in the latter half of 19th centuary, the water which was supposed to flow to the Thopa Vawa has started flowing to the Bhu Vewa. To control this the engineers constructed a temporary dam to block the water flowing to the Bhu Vewa. This temporary dam became a permanent road and this road isolated Kalahagala Vewa and Bhu Vewa from the Parakrama Samudraya.

The new reconstruction process has ignored most of the ancient technology which this tank was built in reducing the capacity of the tank further. As at today, the dam of Parakrama Samudraya is 8 ½ miles (14 kilometres) in length and 40 feet (12.2 metres) in height. The body of water covers 5350 acres with an average depth of 25 feet. Over 18000 acres of paddy land is supported by this reservoir.

On one edge of the reservoir is the Polonnaruwa Rest House managed by Hotels Corporation. Along the dam there are few star class hotels closer to the Pothgul Vehera (Pothgul Temple).

Kanthale Wewa:

Sri Lanka’s reservoir building technology was at its peak during the mid Anuradhapura Kingdom era to  Polonnaruwa Kingdom Era ( 1017-1236) and most of the largest tanks in the country was built during this period. The Parakrama Samudraya, is the the largest,  constructed with a 14 kilometer dam encompassing 5 tanks within it was built by King Parakramabahu the Great during the 12th century. But some other gigantic tanks such as Minnerya Tank and Kaudulla Tank are some of the earlier work belong to early as 3rd Century. Though not as large as the giants, Kanthale Tank lies on the way to Trincomalee and has been not short  of attention from the colonial times.

Kantale was known as Ganthalawa since the days of the kings. Tamils used to write and pronounce it as Kathalai due the lack of letters and sounds in the tamil language.

When the government was attempting to re colonize Gantalawa in the early 1950’s, a team of early settlers had build a campsite inside the jungles had only a small path from the main road to reach their camp. A team leader from that group had put up a small board at the top of this path with the name of “Ganthalawa Camp Road”. A tamil politician called Wanniyasingam who was a MP representing Vavuniya District has seen this piece of board and has insisted that this name board should be removed and the transliterated Tamil name Kantale should be used in the parliament in 1952.02.28 according the Hansard Records. With no one standing against this, the name board was requested to be removed immediately by the government and acted as a prelude to Ganthalawa officially being called Kantale.

The great chronicle of Sri Lanka, Mahawamsa records that Kantale Wewa which is referred to as ‘Ganthala Vapi’ was built by King Agbo the II (608-618) and was rehabilitated and further developed by King . It is believed that King Agbo II in fact built over a small tank which was already existing by that time. Many rich folklore’s are woven around this ancient tank situated in the Trincomalee district. Both the Dutch and English who governed the country before we gained independence are recorded to have carried out reconstruction and rehabilitation work on this tank.

The Kantale tank covers area of 23 sq km and has a carrying capacity of 140.6 million cubic meters at full capacity. The dam is 16.75 meters high and 2.5 km long.  Next to Kantale Tank is smaller tank which is now called Vendarasan Tank which also has been subject to a name change in the recent past by the politicians who are feeding the tamil homeland concept. This tank has been known as Jayaraja wewa but its history is unknown. The general belief is that that the Jayaraja Reservoir was built by king Wasabha (65-109) and was donated to the Bramin who was meditating in a nearby rock cave for healing his eyes. Today this tank is fed by Kantale Tank through 4 large tubes with a diameter of of 3 meters.The Kanthale Tank was built daming the Kantale Oya which begins from Hurulu Forest Reserve and falls on to the sea from Trincomalee.  The tank is also fed by waters of Yodha Ela which brings water from the Elahera Amuna to Minneriya Tank and Kaudulla Tank.

The ancient Kantale Tank had 2 bisokotuwa to release water to the fields, one in northern side and one in southern side near the pattini devalaya. A new sluice gate called Montana Gate was built in 1950’s with the re colonize effort of Kantale Valley.  Disaster stuck the Kantale Tank when its northern bund was breached 20th April 1986 during rains. The breaching of the dam has been attributed to a building of a pump house on the bund weakening its strength.  After this breach a new sluice was Radial sluice gate was installed at the breached sluice. Today only this sluice and the Montana Sluice are operational.

The 1500 year old breached rock slice-gate has been reconstructed at thetop of the dam for the viewing of the public.

Yodha Wewa:

The Yodha Wewa in Mannar is one of the largest tanks in the island and was It was built by King Dhatusena (459-477) by damming and diverting water from the Malwatu-oya.  Known as Manawatu Wewa in the ancient times, the tank is fed by an 8 mile (13 km) ancient canal, recently restored, which carries water from the Malwatu Oya river.

British irrigation engineers who discovered Yoda Weva ( Giant’s Tank) in the 19th century failed to comprehend the design of this tank which was in ruins and considered a great failure. Sir James Emerson Tennent in 1860 wrote in his publication ” Ceylon – an account of the island physical, historical, and topographical with notices or itsnatural history. antiquities and productions”.

From Anuradhapura, I returned to the west coast, following the line of the Malwatte-oya, the ancient Kadamba, which flows into the Gulf of Manaar, north of Aripo. Within a few miles of the coast our party passed, at Taikum, the immense causeway of cut granite, two hundred and fifty yards in length, and upwards of fifteen feet high, by which it was attempted to divert the waters of the river into the canal, that was designed to supply the Giants’ Tank. None of the great reservoirs of Ceylon have attracted so much attention as this stupendous work. The retaining bund of the reservoir, which is three hundred feet broad at the base, can be traced for more than fifteen miles, and, From Anarajapoora, I returned to the west coast, following the line of the Malwatte-oya, the ancient Kadamba, which flows into the Gulf of Manaar, north of Aripo.

Within a few miles of the coast our party passed, at Taikum, the immense causeway of cut granite, two hundred and fifty yards in length, and upwards of fifteen feet high, by which it was attempted to divert the waters of the river into the canal, that was designed to supply the Giants’ Tank. None of the great reservoirs of Ceylon have attracted so much attention as this stupendous work.

The retaining bund of the reservoir, which is three hundred feet broad at the base, can be traced for more than fifteen miles, and,as the country is level, the area· which its waters were intended to cover would have been nearly equal to that of the lake of Geneva. At the present day the bed of the tank is the site of ten Populous villages, and of eight which are now deserted. Its restoration was successively an object of solicitude to the Dutch and British Governments, and surveys were ordered at various times to determine the expediency of reconstructing it. Its history has always been a subject of unsatisfied inquiry,as the national chronicles contain no record of its founder. A recent discovery has, however, served to damp alike historical and utilitarian speculations; for it has been ascertained that, owing to an error in the original levels, the canal from the river, instead of feeding the tank, returned its unavailing waters to the channel of the Malwatte river. Hence the costly embankment was an utter waste of labour, and the Singhalese historians, disheartened by the failure of the attempt, appeared to have made no record of the persons or the period at which the abortive enterprise was undertaken.”

Yodha Wewa is situated about 25km southeast of Mannar in the Mannar District in a semi-arid zone. A part of the tank bund is located along the Madawachchiya – Mannar Road. The water from this tank is fed to 162 smaller tanks downstream and irrigates about 11,000 hectares of paddy land.
The embankment of Yodha Wewa is over 7 km in length with a height of 14 feet. This is comparitively a low height considering other reservoirs of same size. But it is clear that ancient irrigation engineers has considered the flat land in the area and increased the volume of the tank by increasing the area of water spread rather than increasing the depth of the tank. The tank now covers over 4550 hectares ( 45.5 sq. km) and capable of carrying 31,500 acre feet ( 39 Mn cubic meters) of water.

For almost 3 decades parts of this tank was under Tamil Tiger terrorists and the maintenance was neglected due to security reasons. The area which was farmed with the waters were engulfed by the jungle. But in 2008 this area was totally liberated by the Sri Lankan Armed forces and restoration of the tank has already begun. Once the tank is fully restored to carry the full volume of water, this area known as the rice bowl of the country will once again live up to its name.

Tissa Wewa (Anuradhapura):

Tissa Wewa is an ancient irrigation tank was built by King Devanampiya Tissa (250-210 BC). Only Panda Wewa and Abhaya Wewa are considered to be older than Tissa Wewa. The embankment of Tissa Wewa is 11,000 feet long (Two miles) and 25 feet high. The width of the top of the reservoir was found to be 12 feet to 18 feet. Base of the embankment is 160 feet. Tissa Wewa has an area of approximately 550 acres.

Mahawansa reports that King Bhatikabaya  (20 BC-9 AC) pumped water using a machine up to Ruwanweli Seya and sprayed water to flowers which covered the full stupa. Further, water from this reservoir was also used to fill the tanks of Ranmasu Uyana, the Royal water garden next to the Isurumuniya Viharaya.

Tissa Wewa receives water through the ancient canal of Jaya Ganga, an ancient canal originating at Kala Wewa. The excess water is released to the Malwathu Oya river. The embankment of the Tissa Wewa tank is approximately 3 km long.

Parker in 1909 reports that the embankment appears to be in original state ( that of 1100 years ago) and its so solidly built, with little maintenance this bund will last forever. Just as he commented, the Tissa Tank continues feed water to the Anuradhapura even today.

Muruthawela Wewa:

Muruthawela Wewa is a reservoir in Southern Province and is nearby to Ihala Obada and Mahakaluweragoda Forest Reserve.

Hurulu Wewa:

Hurulu Wewa is a reservoir in North Central Province and is nearby to Karambegama and Yakalla.

Tissa Wewa (Tissamaharamaya):

The Tissa Wewa is one of the four large ancient irrigation tanks in the area and is believed to be constructed the 3rd Century BC by King Yatala Tissa, or regional king Maha Naga who is a brother of king Devanampiyatissa (250-210 BC).

Since the rainfall of this area is low and the catchment area is small, the builder of the tank took all these in to consideration in building the bund (embankment). The water was retained at about 13 feet depth and left only 5 feet between the water level and the top of the bank. The embankment is about 1.2 km long. A single flood escape section (pita wana) about 100 meters in length is located on the eastern side. From this the water is flown to Yodha Wewa down stream. The surface area of the tank covered 652 acres resulting a capacity of 160 million cubic feet. According to a report written in 1858 by Mr. G. D, B. Harrison, the bund was was built of large roughly-hewn blocks of stone, few of which are less than a ton in weight.

During the restoration work in 1871, the top of the banks was cut down by 3 feet since much of it was worn away. Water was retained to a level of 10 feet. Just about 25 years later it was realised that this was not the optimum and it was rebuilt to the original specifications set by of the Sri Lankan irrigation engineers over 2300 years ago.

Nuwara Wewa:

This artificial lake (Kandy Lake /the Nuwara Wewa)  was built by the last king of Kandy (and of Sri Lanka), Sri Wikrama Rajasinhe to beatify the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa) by excavating paddy fields in 1807. He called this artificial lake the :Kiri Muhuda” or the Milky Ocean.

He also added the “Valakulu Bamma” (the clouds wall) around the lake but before he could complete, British forces invaded the city of Kandy and prisoned the last Kandyan King in 1815. The Walakulu Wall still remains in the same unfinished state with a length of 2060 feet.

The triangular holes in the wall has been used to light oil lamps in the night. This same design has been used for the outer wall of Sri Dalada Maligawa. He also built a dam across the lake to travel to the other side of the lake but then he destroyed it from both ends leaving only a portion in the centre creating an island. On the Dalada Maligawa side of the lake is the Queens Bathing House. Which is partially in the lake itself. The perimeter of the lake is about 3.4 km and the walakulu wall runs to about 2060 feet around the lake.

Nachchaduwa Wewa:

Mahagallaka reservoir (today known as Nachchaduwa reservoir) is considered to be one of the sixteen large reservoirs built by King Mahasen (276-303). Nachchaduwa lies just outside the city of Anuradhapura . Centuries later King Dhatusena (459-477) built a canal (Jayaganga) to bring water to this reservoir from Kalawewa. This reservoir is considered to be a bold scheme since huge flood water with very high velocity could come down the valley. The great chronicle Mahavamsa probably makes another reference to this reservoir during the time of King Moggallana II (535-555).It is said that King Moggallana II, who lived 300 years later built Passapatanavapi reservoir by damming the Kadamba river (Malwathu Oya). This description matches well with Nachchaduwa. It is possible that Moggallana II could have expanded the work of Mahasen.

Nachchaduwa tank has three sluices to control its water levels. The main sluice is located near the southern end of the bund and releases water mainly to Tissa Wewa . The other two sluices release water to Nuwara Wewa . According to H. Parker, Ancient Ceylon, “It was a bold scheme as floods estimated to amount to 11,000 cu ft per second were to be expected and there was no suitable rock over which they could be allowed to flow, but it was carried out successfully”

In 1906 the Irrigation Department took the responsibility to restore the tank which was ruined in the past. The Department also took further effort in 1917 by improving the tank’s capacity. In 1957 the Great Flood caused severe damage to the tank, nevertheless in 1958 the rehabilitation work was completed. Today it receives water from the Mahaweli System. The tank covers 1200 hectares ( 12 sq. kilometers) at full capacity.