Mamaduwa Wewa

Mamaduwa Wewa (Sinhala: මාමඩුව වැව) is a reservoir situated in Mamaduwa village in Vavuniya District, Sri Lanka. 

History

Mamaduwa Wewa has been identified as the ancient Mahida Wewa (Mahinda-vapi), as it is mentioned in the slab inscription of King Sena II (853-887 A.D.) that was discovered on the bund of this tank (Nicholas, 1963; Ranawella, 2001). The inscription has been set up to prohibit fishing (poaching or stealing) in Mahida Wewa (Ranawella, 2001).

 

The tank is believed to have been repaired during the reign of King Kassapa V [(914-923 A.D.) Arumugam, 1969]. The Mahindatalaka Wewa restored by King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 A.D.) during his reign is identical to this tank (Nicholas, 1963).

The present tank was restored in the 1888-1896 period (Arumugam, 1969).

The reservoir

The bund of the reservoir is about 6,480 ft. long and the water is extending in an area of about 600 acres at its full supply level (Arumugam, 1969). It has two spills and three sluices (Arumugam, 1969). 

References

1) Arumugam, S., 1969. Water resources of Ceylon: its utilisation and development. Water Resources Board. p.304.

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.87.

3) Ranawella, S., 2001. Inscription of Ceylon. Volume V, Part I. Department of Archaeology. ISBN: 955-9159-21-6. pp.38-39.

Location Map

This page was last updated on 4 June 2022