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Nilwala Ganga (Sinhala: නිල්වලා ගඟ) is considered one of the important rivers in southern Sri Lanka.
History
The river is mentioned as Neelavahini and Neelawalanadi River in ancient sources (Rathanasara & Gamage, 2023). Nilwala means blue clouds or blue bearer. It is believed that the river got its name because, in the past, it's water was very pure blue and flowed like a blue cloud (Rathanasara & Gamage, 2023).
The River Basin
The river originates from the Panilkanda, Kabaragala and Dolawak regions northeast of Deniyaya (De Silva et al., 1988). After travelling about 72 km, it eventually empties into the Indian Ocean at Matara in Matara District, after passing Akuressa and Morawaka higher up (Arumugam, 1969; De Silva et al., 1988; Jayawardana & Edirisinghe, 2016). The water of the river is mainly used for drinking water supply, bathing, washing and other domestic purposes as well as for irrigation of crops (De Silva et al., 1988).
The Nilwala Ganga river basin extends in an area of about 1,073 km2 (Elkaduwa & Sakthivadivel, 1999; Jayawardana & Edirisinghe, 2016). Approximately 70 % of the river basin is used for agricultural activities such as paddy, tea, coconut, cinnamon, citronella and rubber cultivations (Jayawardana & Edirisinghe, 2016).
Reservoirs & Anicuts in the Nilwala Ganga River Basin
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#) Dandeniya Wewa
#) Haliela Wewa
#) Nagodawetiya Inundation Regulator
#) Urapola Anicut
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#) Ellawela Wewa
#) Kekanadura Wewa
#) Sapugoda Anicut
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References
Books, Journal Articles
1) Arumugam, S., 1969. Water resources of Ceylon: its utilisation and development. Water Resources Board. pp.81-89.
2) De Silva, M.P., Karunatileka, R. and Thiemann, W., 1988. Study of some physicochemical properties of Nilwala River waters in Southern Sri Lanka with special reference to effluents resulting from anthropogenic activities. Journal of Environmental Science & Health Part A, 23(4), pp.381-398.
3) Elkaduwa, W.K.B. and Sakthivadivel, R., 1999. Use of historical data as a decision support tool in watershed management: a case study of the Upper Nilwala basin in Sri Lanka (Vol. 26). IWMI. pp.1-31.
4) Jayawardana, J.K. and Edirisinghe, E.A., 2016. Water quality of Nilwala River, Sri Lanka in relation to land use practices. Sri Lanka Journal of Aquatic Sciences, 21(2). pp.77-94.
5) Rathanasara, K. and Gamage, G.C.L., 2023. Exploring the Role of the Gaṃgārohaṇa Pūjā in Sri Lankan Religious, Social, and Political Contexts. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 10(3), pp.51-67.
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Attribution
To Whom
1) Nilwala River Matara Sri Lanka by Auston Rotheram is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
