Kala Wewa

This reservoir was built by the King Dhatusena who ruled the country during 455-473 CE in the 5th century. King Dhatusena wanted to develop the irrigation system by constructing several tanks, canals, etc in around the kingdom of Anuradhapura. After completion of construction of Kala Wewa, the king built another tank called Balalu Wewa nearby and connected the two, making the biggest tank in Sri Lanka. His son King Mahinda II who ruled the country during 777-797 CE expanded the tank further. Water of the tank was transferred to the 'Thisa Wewa' in Anuradhapura by 54 miles (86.9 km) long canal called Jaya 'Ganga' alias 'Yoda Ela' which has a fine slope of one feet per mile. Kala Wewa is one of the magnificent reservoirs of the ancient world. This reservoir has a circumference of 40 miles and has a total area of seven square miles at full capacity. The ancient spill "Pitawana" is measured to be 216 feet in width and 170 ft in length. The embankment of Kala wewa is 60 to 80 feet high with a base of more than 200 ft and a length of 3 miles.