Thuruwila Irregation Tank
Thuruwila is an ancient irregation tank in (Wewa) Anuradhapura district
built more than 20 centuries ago. It is believed that King Mahanaga built
it in the third century B.C. This can be considered as the forth Wewa
(Tank) to be built in Sri Lanka.
Basawakkulama
, which is built by King
Pandukabaya is the first Wewa (Tank) in Sri Lanka. After that, King Devanampiyatissa
has built two tanks,
Tisa Wewa
and
Nuwara Wewa
.
In 1880s the British rulers of Sri Lanka reconstructed this tank which
was in a ruined state after abandonment for centuries after the Chola
invasions from South India in 10 th to 13 th centuries.
The area covered by the tank is about 800 acres. The mean depth of
the tank is 12.5 feet. Bunt of the tank is 2.4 km long and with 180 feet
in width. It is 25 feet in height. The overflow of the tank runs to the
Malwatu Oya. There are five tanks, which get water from the Thuruwila
tank. Rain and the water seepage from the land above the tank supplies
water to the tank.
The villagers of the Turuwila village totally depend on this tank. Most
of them are farmers. Some villagers make there living by selling flowers
such as water-lilies, and lotus plucked from this Tank to the pilgrims
to the Anuradhapura sacred city. Large amounts of fresh water fishing
also common sight around this Tank (Amount of people living from fishing).
This tank supplies water for irrigation of 502 acres of paddy fields
and 106 acres of high land.
Created : May 3, 2009
Updated :
May 3, 2009
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