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Characteristics of Sri Lankan lakes and ancient irrigation industry

Sri Lanka is a country with an agricultural economy in the past. Therefore, water management was essential. Many irrigation systems can be seen in the dry regions of Sri Lanka such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and the North Central Province.

In the past, due to the development of settlements centered in the dry region of Sri Lanka, rainwater was not sufficient for agricultural activities and general consumption as the rainfall in the dry region was received only at one time of the year.

Especially in the past, water was essential to maintain rice cultivation, which was the main agricultural crop in Sri Lanka.

In the early days of Sri Lanka, small lakes  were created to collect rainwater in rural areas. These small village tanks are connected  by an "Elanga" system. When the "Elanga" system is simply by definition, the "Elanga" system is an irrigation system that usually connects a lake on higher ground to several lower lakes using canals.

Later, due to the growth of the population and the development of agricultural activities, the small lakes in the rural areas have been combined to create large-level tanks. The irrigation industry in Sri Lanka, which started from the time King Vijaya's come to Sri Lanka and earlier, grew to the construction of large-scale lakes during the Anuradhapura period.


This image is Sri Lankan lake Fisherman and Ancient Lake in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan Lakes

lakes of Sri Lanka

A reservoir formed by using a natural water source or a barrier to collect rainwater can be called a lake. In the early stages of Sri Lanka, the irrigation industry, which started as small village lakes, progressed to the construction of large lakes with the growth of kingdoms.

Abaya lake (Basawakkulama lake)

Basavakkulama Lake or Abaya Lake is located in the Anuradhapura district of Sri Lanka. The Abhaya Lake was built by King Pandukabhaya, the first king of Anuradhapura, who first developed Anuradhapura with major urban features.

Abhaya Lake has now become a beautiful tourist destination for tourists visiting Anuradhapura.

Thissa lake

Thissa Lake is a beautiful lake located in the Tissamaharama region of the southern province of Sri Lanka.
It is said in history that Tissa Lake was built by King Mahanaga who reigned in the Ruhunu region of Sri Lanka. Thissa Lake, which provided water for agricultural activities in the surrounding area since ancient times, is still an important object that supplies water to many acres of paddy fields.
The lake embankment of Tissa Lake is very beautiful and scenic and is a popular spot for local tourists.

Minneriya Lake ( Mahasen lake)


Minneriya Lake or Mahasen Lake is a beautiful large lake located in the Polonnaruwa district of Sri Lanka. Built by King Mahasen who reigned in the Anuradhapura period, this Minneriya lake is spread over an area of ​​about 18 square meters. Legend has it that King Mahasen was treated as a deity due to the fertility of the area and the ease of agricultural activities due to the construction of this Minneriya lake.
Minneriya Lake, which has now become a beautiful natural ecosystem, is an important water source that meets the water needs of both humans and animals in the area.

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