Kaudulla Wewa or Kaudulla Tank (Sinhala: කවුඩුල්ල වැව/කවුඩුල්ල ජලාශය) is a reservoir situated on the fringe of the Kaudulla National Park in Polonnaruwa District, Sri Lanka. Presently, the bed area of the reservoir is very attractive among visitors where hundreds of elephants could be seen
gathered in the dry season (Rathnayake,& Gunawardena, 2014).
History
Identified as the ancient Tissavaddhamanaha-vapi (Ratissa, Ranniya or Rantisawewa), the Kaudulla tank is one of the 16 celebrated reservoirs constructed by King Mahasena [(276-303 A.D.) Arumugam, 1969; Nicholas, 1963; Ray, 1959; Wikramagamage, 2004]. Historical sources reveal that King Vijayabahu I (1055-1110 A.D.) and King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 A.D.) repaired and restored the work (Arumugam, 1969; Nicholas, 1963). It was declared a sanctuary for animals by King Nissankamalla [(1187-1196 A.D.) Nicholas, 1963].
The present reservoir was renovated in 1960 (Wikramagamage, 2004).
Reservoir
The reservoir is fed by the drainage from its own catchment and the flood flow from Gal Oya and Alut Oya streams and from the flood flow from the Minneriya Reservoir through the Aggala Wan Oya (Arumugam, 1969). The reservoir has 1 sluice and 1 spill (Arumugam, 1969; Wikramagamage, 2004).
.Attribution
References
1) Arumugam, S., 1969. Water resources of Ceylon: its utilisation and development. Water Resources Board. p.245.
2) Nicholas, C. W., 1963. Historical topography of ancient and medieval Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New Series (Vol VI). Special Number: Colombo. Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch). p.182.
3) Rathnayake, R.M.W. and Gunawardena, U.A.D.P., 2014. Enjoying elephant watching: a study on social carrying capacity of Kawdulla National Park in Sri Lanka. Sabaragamuwa University Journal, 12(1). pp.23-39.
4) Ray, H.C. (Editor in chief), 1959. History of Ceylon: Vol. I: Part I. Ceylon University Press. Colombo. pp.222-223.
5) Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.269.
2) Nicholas, C. W., 1963. Historical topography of ancient and medieval Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New Series (Vol VI). Special Number: Colombo. Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch). p.182.
3) Rathnayake, R.M.W. and Gunawardena, U.A.D.P., 2014. Enjoying elephant watching: a study on social carrying capacity of Kawdulla National Park in Sri Lanka. Sabaragamuwa University Journal, 12(1). pp.23-39.
4) Ray, H.C. (Editor in chief), 1959. History of Ceylon: Vol. I: Part I. Ceylon University Press. Colombo. pp.222-223.
5) Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.269.
Location Map
This page was last updated on 6 June 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map
