Manankattiya Wewa (Sinhala: මානන්කට්ටිය වැව) is a reservoir situated in Manankattiya in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka. It is located about 32 km southeast of Anuradhapura and 7 km west of Hurulu Wewa.
History
This tank has been identified as the ancient Mahanikhavatti tank built by King Vasabha [(67-111 A.D.) Nicholas, 1963]. In the past, it had been called by several names such as Mahanikhavitti, Manakati, and Manikawati (Nicholas, 1963).
Stone slabs with carvings
Three stone slabs containing ancient carvings have been identified at the sluice of the reservoir (Embuldeniya, 2018). Of them, one slab contains a carving of a seven-headed Naga and while the other two contain two female figures. The female figures are carved with a full vase (Punkalasa) on their hands and wearing a dress similar to a Dothi (Embuldeniya, 2018).
The reservoir
The bund of the reservoir is about 5,300 ft. long (Arumugam, 1969). It has one spill and two sluices (Arumugam, 1969).
References
1) Arumugam, S., 1969. Water resources of Ceylon: its utilisation and development. Water Resources Board. p.316.
2) Embuldeniya, P., 2018. Art in the Ancient Water Management System of Sri Lanka. Journal of the Centre for Heritage Studies, p.155.
3) 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.171.
Location Map
This page was last updated on 10 July 2022
