The North Central Province of Sri Lanka has the most inland reservoirs. It has a large number of old and new water bodies that are used for irrigation and producing electricity. This area is home to ancient capitals like Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. It holds thousands of reservoirs, from small village tanks to big irrigation projects. This shows Sri Lanka’s great 2500-year history of managing water.
The Historical Importance of Sri Lankan Reservoirs
Sri Lanka’s reservoir system is one of the best ancient engineering feats in the world. It goes back to the fourth century BC. These systems show the skill of early Sinhalese engineers. Sir Henry Ward, a former Governor of Sri Lanka, once said, “You may not find so many irrigation projects in one place that are both very old and large, like in Ceylon.”
Evolution of Ancient Irrigation Systems
The development of irrigation systems in Sri Lanka happened in six clear stages.
- Initial Collection: Collecting rainwater in ponds using simple irrigation methods.
- Basic Embankments: Building low fake barriers across small stream valleys.
- Enhanced Construction: Making embankments stronger and growing the irrigated land.
- Large-Scale Development: Building dams on bigger rivers and making water distribution systems.
- Advanced Engineering: Creating reservoirs on major rivers with special spills and gates.
- Trans-Basin Systems: Moving water between areas, becoming very advanced by the 8th century AD.
Modern Status and Distribution
Today, Sri Lanka’s reservoir system includes:
- Major Irrigation Reservoirs: About 70,850 hectares across 73 reservoirs.
- Medium-Scale Irrigation Reservoirs: Spanning 17,004 hectares with 160 reservoirs.
- Minor Irrigation Reservoirs: More than 39,271 hectares covering 3,279 smaller water bodies.
- Hill Country Reservoirs: 8,097 hectares mainly for producing electricity.
Engineering Innovations
One of the biggest contributions of ancient Sri Lankan engineers was the invention of the “biso-kotuwa,” or valve pit, over 2,200 years ago. This water system is still basically the same today and helps shape how we build reservoirs now. The ancient engineers also showed great planning in building dams. They built them at angles to reduce damage from debris that floats.
Environmental and Economic Impact
These reservoirs have many uses in today’s Sri Lanka.
- Farming irrigation helps keep food safe.
- Water power makes clean energy.
- Fish farming supports local jobs.
- Managing water helps small towns.
Modern Developments and Challenges
Recent changes in Sri Lanka’s water system include:
- The Mahaweli Development Scheme
- Repairing old irrigation systems
- Combining new tools with old water management methods
- Efforts to protect the environment
Future Perspectives
As Sri Lanka works on its water resources, several important things come up:
- Manage water storage areas in a sustainable way.
- Find balance between energy needs and farming water needs.
- Protect and keep old water systems.
- Use methods to adapt to climate changes.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka’s reservoirs show impressive skills from ancient engineers. They still play important roles today. The North Central Province, with its wide system of reservoirs, is a real example of how to manage water well. These practices have lasted for more than two thousand years.