Padaviya Wewa is a reservoir situated in Anuradhapura District. Scholars have identified it as the ancient Ratmalkandavapi and Dhanavapi tanks.
Padaviya Wewa and Inscription P adaviya Wewa (Sinhala: පදවිය වැව) is a shallow man-made reservoir situated in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka. History This reservoir has been identified by scholars as the ancient Ratmalkanda Vapi of King Mahasena (277-304 A.D.) and Dhanavapi of King Moggallana II [(535-555 A.D.) Arumugam, 1969]. It was later known as Padivapi and King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 A.D.) restored it (Arumugam, 1969; Nicholas, 1963). King Nissankamalla (1187-1196 A.D.) decreed Padivapi a sanctuary for animals (Arumugam, 1969; Nicholas, 1963). The restoration works of the present tank were carried out in 1954-1958 (Arumugam, 1969). The tank and its surrounding area were designated as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1963. Inscription A pillar inscription of King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 A.D.) has been discovered near the sluice of the Padaviya reservoir. Although, this inscription records that this tank was built by Parakramabahu, scholars have identified him as a restorer of the tank and not the builder. Pillar ins…
