Bathalagoda Wewa Reservoir in Kurunegala

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Bathalagoda Reservoir
Photo courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Batalagoda Wewa is a pre-Christian reservoir in Ibbagamuwa, once the lifeline for the enigmatic “Parana Nuwara” city. Linked to King Kumara Dhatusena and Queen Kalyanawathi, this historic site witnessed royal investitures and epic battles. Today, it remains a bustling weekend retreat steeped in legends of ancient scholar-kings and warriors.

Batalagoda Wewa is located near Ibbagamuwa Central College, just off the Ibbagamuwa Junction along the Kurunegala–Dambulla Road. The otherwise quiet road becomes notably active, particularly on Sundays, when visitors gather around the reservoir.

This reservoir lies within the basin of Deduru Oya, a river that flows through the North Western Province of Sri Lanka.

Hydrology and Physical Features

Batalagoda Wewa is formed across a minor tributary of Deduru Oya and is characterized by a long but relatively low embankment. The stream feeding the reservoir is known in its upper reaches as Ibbagamuwa Ela, which carries water originating from the Kandalowa Valley.

Approximately 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) from Batalagoda Wewa, along the banks of Deduru Oya, once stood an ancient and significant city. Its origins are so remote that it is not recorded in historical chronicles (Brohier, 1934, pp. 6–7).

Parana Nuwara: The Lost City

This ancient settlement, widely known in the area as Parana Nuwara (“the Old City”), has retained this descriptive name from time immemorial, while its original name has been lost over centuries. Although early 20th-century topographical surveys did not record this name, it survives in modern cartography through the designation Paranagampitiya, a coconut estate in the vicinity (Brohier, 1934, pp. 6–7).

Origins and Early Construction

According to tradition, Batalagoda Wewa was constructed in pre-Christian times. It likely served a dual purpose: supplying water to the ancient city of Parana Nuwara for domestic use and irrigating surrounding paddy fields. Based on brick sizes comparable to those used in the construction of the Ruwanweliseya in Anuradhapura, Parker (1909, p. 379) suggests that the reservoir dates to the latter part of the 2nd century BCE or the early 1st century BCE.

Although much of the original archaeological evidence has been lost due to modern reconstruction, tradition maintains that the reservoir was restored or repaired during the reign of King Kumara Dhatusena (512–520 CE), who is believed to have resided at Parana Nuwara (Brohier, 1934, p. 29).

Records of Restorations

Historical records indicate multiple restoration efforts. Parker refers to a worn 10th-century pillar inscription located on the embankment, as well as a more detailed slab inscription commissioned by Queen Kalyanawathi (1202–1208 CE). This inscription records that in the third year of her reign, she personally inspected the sluices of the reservoir, rebuilt one, and repaired three breaches in the embankment of Badalagoda reservoir at Mahala-pura, identified as the ancient town.

The most recent major restoration was undertaken by Parker in 1890, by which time the reservoir had fallen into significant disrepair.

Historical References in Chronicles

According to Parker, the earliest reference to this area appears in the Mahawamsa around 1081 CE. It is listed among the towns recaptured from the Soli by a general of King Wijeya-Bahu I (1065–1120 CE). At that time, the settlement was known as Badalat-tala. It was also here that the ceremonial investiture of Parakramabahu I with the sacred thread was conducted with great splendor.

Historical Identity of Parana Nuwara

By the 3rd century CE, the city had already lost its original name and was simply referred to as Parana Nuwara. It is believed to have been located about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) from Batalagoda Wewa along the banks of Deduru Oya. An inscription from this period, found above the entrance of a cave, reads: “Hail! The cave of Culuttha, a headman dwelling at the Ancient City” (Parker, 1909, p. 253).

Local tradition identifies Parana Nuwara as the capital of King Kumara Dhatusena (512–520 CE). Some accounts further associate the site with a legendary episode involving the poet Kalidasa, who is said to have committed self-immolation on the funeral pyre of a close companion.

Strategic and Cultural Importance

Parker also emphasizes the strategic importance of Parana Nuwara, suggesting that it functioned as a key defensive outpost safeguarding the frontier regions of the Kaelani kingdom in southwestern Lanka, and possibly also serving the southern kingdom of Ruhuna. Evidence points to the existence of a fort in the area.

The region is further enriched by local traditions, including accounts of General Sankha Senapati, a figure renowned for his strength and valor, who was stationed here by Prince Parakramabahu of southwestern Lanka and his cousin King Gajabahu.

Present Condition and Historical Potential

Despite its rich historical and legendary associations, the area today retains little in the way of documented history. Nevertheless, it likely conceals the remains of an ancient urban center buried beneath layers of time, one that may once have witnessed the grandeur, administrative importance, and ceremonial life of early Sinhalese civilization.

Bisogala and Rambodagalla reserve seen over Bathalagoda Reservoir

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 Bathalagoda Tank (Bathalagoda Wewa)

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Travel Directions to Bathalagoda Tank ( Bathalagoda Wewa)

Route from Colombo to Bathalagoda Tank	Route from Kuruwita to Bathalagoda Tank
Through : Ja-Ela – Minuwangoda – Giriulla – Narammala – Kurunegala Distance : 112km Travel time :3 hours Driving directions : see on google map	Distance : 13 km Travel time : 20 minutes Driving directions : see on google map