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Liyangastota Amuna (which was called Liyangahatota Amuna during British times) is an Anicut built by the British across the Walawe Ganga River lying close to the Barawakumbuka Interchange which leads to Nonangama on the Southern Expressway. The amuna was built in 1889 by the British to feed water to Ridiyagama and Kadawara reservoirs through the left bank channel and Mamadola and Oluvila reservoirs through the right bank channel2.
There is no evidence of an ancient amuna at this site but, a few kilometres below, near Ramba Rajamaha Viharaya, lies a a ridge of rocks (dolomite) extending nearly across the river bed. This ridge is called Sudu-Gal-Palla or Sudu-Gal-Bemma. The latter name signifies that there had once been an ancient anicut at the place. Near this ridge of lime-stone rocks, there were the remains of an old Yoda-ela on the right bank of the river, constructed in a deep cut and excellent preservation although completely covered with jungle. Yet another canal from this point, directed more at right angles to the course of the river, on the same bank is traditionally believed to have led directly to Etbatuwa Tank and thus into the Kachigal-ara valley. Tradition also asserts that there was a canal which took off from Sudu-Gal-Bemma and led into the Magam Pattu on the eastern bank1.
The right canal scheme of the Liyangastota Amuna was completed in 1889 and the left canal scheme was completed by the British in 19281. The amuna is 24 meters long and has a maximum height of 5.5 meters3.
References
- Brohier, R. (1980). Ancient irrigation works in Ceylon (1934). Colombo: Ministry of Mahaweli Development.
- Silva, E.I.L., Manthrithilake, H. and Etige, M. (2014) ‘Environmental Flow in Sri Lanka: Ancient Anicuts Versus Modern Dams’, Sri Lanka Journal of Aquatic Sciences, 19, pp. 3–14.
- Arumugam, S. (1969) Water Resources of Ceylon: Its Utilisation and Development. Colombo: Water Resources Board, Sri Lanka.
Also See
- Hydro Heritage of Sri Lanka
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Liyangastota Amuna
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Traveling Directions of Liyangastota Amuna
From Colombo to Liyangastota Amuna |
Via : Southern Expressway Distance : 227 km Travel time : 3 hours Time to spent : ½ hour Driving Directions : See Google Maps here |
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