Allekattu Gal Amuna across Kalaru River (කල්ආරු හරහා අල්ලෙකට්ටු ගල් අමුණ)

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Parker (1909, p. 410) describes an ancient weir (amuna) known as “Allekattu” in Tamil, located across the Kalaru River, which originates from the Pavatkulama Wewa reservoir and serves as one of the main tributaries to the Malwathu Oya in the Northern Province. The dam is situated approximately 2 miles (about 3 km) upstream from the Kalaru bridge on the Mannar-Medawachchiya road. Brohier (1934, p. 14) refers to this weir as “Allekattu Tekkam.”

Aside from these references, little documentation exists about this ancient weir, although a more modern amuna has been built 2.5 km upstream from the same bridge, likely at the original site of the Allekattu Amuna.

Parker (1909, p. 410) dates this structure to the latter half of the 2nd century BCE or the early 1st century BCE, based on the size and form of the bricks. The dam, constructed solidly across the Kalaru River atop a rock ridge, follows the natural contour of the rock, resulting in two slight bends. The exterior stones are roughly hewn granite blocks arranged in a crude rectangular formation, while the interior is filled with shapeless boulders likely held together by clay.

The amuna measured 220 feet (67 meters) long, 6 feet (1.8 meters) high, and 19 feet (5.8 meters) wide at the top, which consists of six rows of partially dressed granite slabs. Small canals were cut on either bank to distribute water to farmlands on both sides of the river.

When Parker came across the dam, it had been breached by floods in two areas, with a third breach found at the southern end. The surrounding area was densely overgrown with jungle, showing no traces of the cultivated land (Brohier, 1934, p. 14).

Four miles (6.4 km) upstream from the Allekattu Amuna, Parker (1909) notes the remains of another early stone dam called Kurinja-Kulam Tekkam. This dam, possibly built later than the Allekattu Amuna, was constructed in a rougher manner.

Kurinja-Kulam Tekkam measured 266 feet (81 meters) in length, with a height ranging from 7 to 10 feet (2 to 3 meters), and a width of 20 feet (6.1 meters) at the top. The weir was composed of roughly hewn stone blocks, many of which had become dislodged and accumulated below the structure. While the dam itself was not breached, the course of the Kalaru River had altered over time, shifting to the southern channel before rejoining its original path approximately 800 feet (244 meters) downstream.

References:

Brohier, R. L. (1934). Ancient Irrigation Works in Ceylon (Vol. 1). Government Publications Bureau (Ceylon).
Parker, H. (1909). Ancient Ceylon: An Account of the Aborigines and of Part of the Early Civilisation (1st ed.). Luzac & Co.

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Map of Allekattu Amuna across Kalaru River

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Traveling Directions to Allekattu Amuna across Kalaru River

From Medawachchiya to Allekattu Amuna across Kalaru River

Via: Mannar Road
Total Distance: 30 Km
Travel Time: 40 Minutes
Time to Spend: Around 30-45 Minutes
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References:

Also See

Map of Allekattu Amuna across Kalaru River

Traveling Directions to Allekattu Amuna across Kalaru River

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