Kandalama Wewa, irrigation, reservoir, irrigation reservoirs, Sri Lanka

Kandalama Irrigation Reservoir

Amongst the craggy regions of the Central province of Sri Lanka is a placid and beautiful man-made lake, which is actually the Kandalama Reservoir. Created by kings of long gone times in order to provide water for farming irrigation; the the Kandelle or Candelay reservoir, as it was also known, is located in the town of Kandalama and was made by damming one of the main tributaries of Kala Wewa.

Amongst the craggy regions of the Central province of Sri Lanka is a placid and beautiful man-made lake, which is actually the Kandalama Reservoir. Created by kings of long gone times in order to provide water for farming irrigation; the the Kandelle or Candelay reservoir, as it was also known, is located in the town of Kandalama and was made by damming one of the main tributaries of Kala Wewa.

Kandalama Wewa ancient man-made irrigation reservoir is nearly surrounded by large hills: and in the extent, where no natural barrier had been in existence for the waters, an embankment was constructed of hewn stones, piled up twenty feet high, and from 150 to 200 feet thick at the base, and a mile and one-third long.

Travel at Glance

  • Direction :  Kurnegala -> Melsiripura -> Dabulla ->Kandalama (70KM)
  • Transport : Bike / Taxi / Public Transport 
  • Travel Time: (form Kurunegala 1.5 hrs)
  • Accommodation: Hritance Kandalama / Find Hotels nearby
  • Activities: Photography / Nature Trails /  /Lake/ Hiking / Sirgirya


Tips, Notes and Special Remark

– Better to have a mountain bike ride around the lake
– Life guard service is there
– Ask directions from locals
– Find Suitable place to bath – Do
– Do not carry Plastic items, Make sure you bring back everything you took.

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