Minneriya Reservoir
In 286 AD, King Mahasen built this large reservoir, which
occupied 4670 acres. It's strong 15 meter tall dam held over 20 billion
gallons of water. The water arrived from Mahaveli River, 48 kms away,
along the Alahara canal built by the King Vasabha before.
This created an irrigation paradise in the east. It was this growth
in agriculture that opened up the massive trade with South East Asia
through the Trincomalee harbour. From then onwards, Trinco harbour became
one of the busiest in the region.
In 1820 AD, British Inland Revenue Officer Ralf Bachaus recorded that
the whole area can be irrigated if this reservoir is restored. In 1856,
British Governor Henry Ward recorded that it must have been an amazing
reservoir which had been built very strong. They recorded the beauty
of the vegetation, the wildlife which surrounded the reservoir.
Source : www.nexcorpsl.com
Map
Created : December 27, 2008
Updated :
January 3, 2009
|
