Angamedilla Anicut, built by King Parakramabahu I, diverted Amban Ganga to Parakrama Samudraya; now a dam with remnants of ancient stonework.
Angamedilla Anicut A ngamedilla Gal Amuna (Sinhala: අංගමැඩිල්ල ගල් අමුණ) is an ancient anicut (presently a dam) that lies on the edge of the Angamedilla National Park in Polonnaruwa District, Sri Lanka. History The anicut and its conveyance channel were constructed by King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 A.D.) to bring the waters of the Amban Ganga river (ancient Kara Ganga) to Parakrama Samudraya , a great reservoir built by Parakramabahu by connecting three original reservoirs, viz: Topa Wewa, Eramudu Wewa, and Dumbutulu Wewa (Arumugam, 1969; Nicholas, 1963). The channel was originally known as Akasa Ganga but is presently called the Angamedilla Yodha Ela (Arumugam, 1969; Nicholas, 1963). The Modern Dam A new dam was constructed later on the same spot on which the ancient anicut stood (Wikramagamage, 2004). As a result of that, the original anicut is no more visible, but a part of the protective wall along the right bank built with massive blocks of stone still can be identified. The present dam is 90 ft. long a…
