Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1

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Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 62 These rise to a ponderous wall immediately above the vents which regulated the escape of the water, and each layer of the work is kept in its place by the frequent insertion, endwise of long plinths of stone, whose extremities project beyond the surface” Sir Emesrson Tennent (Ref: R.L Brohier, Ancient Irrigation Works of Ceylon) Padawiya Inscription: Inscription was found in Padawiya reservoir indicating it to be restored by King Parakramabahu at later times. Wahalkada Reservoir: Another large reservoir built by King Mahasen. Mora Oya was dammed and a canal known as Yoda Ela was built to bring water to this reservoir. The bund of this reservoir ranges from 50 to 60 ft in height. Mahadaragala Reservoir: (Nachchaduwa Reservoir): Mahadaragala reservoir (today known as Nachchaduwa reservoir) is considered to be one of the sixteen large reservoirs built by King Mahasen. Mahadaragala lies just outside the city of Anuradhapura. Centuries later King Dhatusena 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. Mahavamsa probably makes another reference to this reservoir during the time of King Moggallana II. 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. The embankment is 5,550 ft long, 36 ft high with a slope of 2.5 ft horizontal to 1 vertical. The slope facing the water is armed with stones. The reservoir has a capacity of 525 million Cu. ft and a surface area of 2,015 acres. 167 feet long and 44 feet wide masonry structure was provided for flood escape. (Overflow weir or Pitawana in Sinhalese). “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” (Ref: H. Parker, Ancient Ceylon) Minneriya Reservoir: (Manihira in Mahavamsa): This is the crowning glory of King Mahasen. Minneriya reservoir is 21 miles in circumference. The bund is built solidly as other works of King Mahasen has a height of 50 ft. The reservoir submerges 4,670 acres and has a capacity of 70,730 acre ft.
Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 63 (1 acre ft = 272,140 gallons). The reservoir was so huge people of later times believed that it was built by demons. Amount of labor expended on this reservoir amazed many including the British Governer Henry Ward. “No wisdom and no power in the ruler can have forced such efforts even upon the most passive oriental nations, without general persuasion that the work was one of paramount necessity and that all would participate in its benefits” Governer Henry Ward (Ref: R.L Brohier, Ancient Irrigation Works of Ceylon). Note by R. L Brohier (Ref: Seeing Ceylon): “With Habarana bazaar and the rest house behind, the scenery changes in character. The road makes tortuous trial through the few occasional patches of high forest now left. Emerging from the seclusion of one of these on to a corridor of grass land where the eye has more liberty, a gleaming, glistening sheet of water breaks into view. This is your first glimpse of the famous Minneri lake – The Minihira of the Mahavamsa. The open grass land you pass is the spillway”. Thanks to Elahara canal that brings water from both Mahavali river and Amban river, Minneri is supplied with water year round. Siyambalagamuwa Reservoir: Another huge reservoir built by King Mahasen, located west of Kalawewa. Three centuries later King Dhathusena built a canal from Kalawewa to supply water to this reservoir. Pabbathantha Canal: Mahavamsa states that King Mahasen built a canal known as Pabbatanta canal. The Kalinga Yoda Ela (canal) that extends from Mahavali river near Kalinga Nuwara matches well with the description given in Mahavamsa. (Ref: Brohier R.L, Seeing Ceylon). There are two other canals in the vicinity. They are Aciravathi and Gomathi canals. Mahavamsa says, that these two canals were restored by King Parakramabahu. It is clear that during ancient times Kalinga Nuwara irrigation scheme was a great feat comparable to Elahara canal and Minneri combination. King Mahasen - Greatest Reservoir Builder of The Ancient World: King Mahasen is considered to be the greatest reservoir builder of the ancient world. Only King Parakramabahu the Great could come close in that regard. King Mahasen built sixteen large reservoirs and two long canals. Restoration of Ancient Reservoirs: (Note on Governer Sir Henry Ward): Restoration of most of the ancient work was conducted during British era thanks to Governor Henry Ward. Here I have included a portion of an article written by first Prime Minister of modern Lanka, D.S Senanayaka. (Ref: R.L Brohier, Irrigation Works in Ancient Ceylon).
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Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1

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