Katunayake Awariwatta Survey Tower in Negombo

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Katunayake Awariwatta Survey Tower in 2021

A trigonometrical tower, also known as a triangulation tower or survey tower, is a structure used in surveying and cartography to determine the precise locations of points on the Earth’s surface. The primary purpose of a trigonometrical tower is to serve as a reference point for triangulation, which is a technique used to measure distances and angles between points.

During the era of British colonialism, a remarkable infrastructure emerged across various regions under British rule. Among the numerous structures that were erected, survey towers played a significant role in the process of mapping and surveying the land. These towering structures not only served as vantage points for surveyors but also left a lasting legacy in the form of historical landmarks.

The Survey Tower at Awariwatta in Katunayake (කටුනායක ඇවරිවත්ත පැරණි මිනුම් කුළුණ) of Gampaha District is one of the two trigonometrical stations built by the British which existed in this district. The other, Kandawala Survey Tower collapsed into a pile of rubble in 2015 due to lack of maintenance and is no more.

Awariwatta Survey Tower is built in the form of 3 cylindrical pillars each smaller in diameter than the bottom one. The height if the top segment is much higher than the other 2. At the top is a platform for surveyors to climb and take measurements. There is a steel ladder to the top. However, the ladder of the bottom 2 cylinders is now missing. The tower which had been in good condition till about 2018, now (2023) looks dilapidated with the large trees now being grown at the top of the tower. If necessary maintenance is not done on this tower, it too will face the same fate as the Kandawala Tower in the near future.

This survey tower lies beside the Awariwatta road which connects to Seeduwa Kotugoda road.

Katunayake Awariwatta Survey Tower in 2018

Katunayake Awariwatta Survey Tower in 2022

Also See

Colonial Survey Towers of Sri Lanka

Map of Katunayake Awariwatta Survey Tower

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Traveling Directions to Katunayake Awariwatta Survey Tower

From Colombo to Katunayake Awariwatta Survey

Via : Airport Expressway
Total distance : 32 km
Duration : 40 mins
Driving Directions : View on Google Maps

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Also See

Map of Katunayake Awariwatta Survey Tower

Traveling Directions to Katunayake Awariwatta Survey Tower

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