Handapangala Wewa Reservoir (හඳපානාගල වැව ජලාශය)

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Handapanagala Wewa Reservoir is a picturesque and peaceful haven located in the Wellawaya area of Monaragala District. It is a popular destination for nature lovers and those seeking a tranquil escape. This reservoir is particularly known for being a favoured spot for roaming elephant herds, drawing tourists and wildlife photographers eager to witness the majestic sight of elephants grazing in the catchment area and playing with their calves by the water’s edge.

The reservoir is located 12.5 km away from the Wellawaya town along the Thanamalwila road. The area around Handapanagala was colonized in the 1960s and most people make a living out of farming and fishing in the Handapapagala Wewa Reservoir.

The Handapanagala area is historically linked to the reign of King Walagamba (104-88 BCE), a period during which many significant works in the area were undertaken. The reservoir itself was created by constructing a short bund across the Maha Ara, a tributary of the Kirindi Oya, with the bund extending to the left bank where it meets Handagalla Hill, from which the tank takes its name. Restoration efforts began in 1952 and were eventually completed. However, the bund was severely damaged by a catastrophic flood in December 1957, leading to a breach. It was subsequently repaired and restored in 1960, with the first water supply made available for cultivation thereafter (Arumugam, 1969).

With the recolonising of the scheme, the elephants were a constant threat to the cultivators. At one point there was not a day where elephant-human conflict was not reported in the newspapers.

The elephants roaming in Maha Ara, Lada Ara, Orugalkema, and Thunkema were annually driven away towards Handapanagala Wewa, and then onward to Thalakola Wewa, Dambe Wewa, the Pormedilla Forest, and through Kuda Oya to Zones 4 and 5 of the Lunugamvehera and Yala National Parks. However, what often happens is that these elephants find their way back to their familiar habitats. Now electric fences are drawn all along the Handapanagala protecting the villages.

The bund of the Handapanagala Wewa is 3600 feet (1.1 km) long and 19 feet (5.8 m) high. At full capacity, the water covers 450 acres and holds 5000 acre-feet of water. (Arumugam, 1969).

References

Arumugam, S. (1969). Water resources of Ceylon: its utilisation and development. Water Resources Board (Sri Lanka).

Also See

Map of the Handapangala Wewa Reservoir

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Travelling to Handapangala Wewa Reservoir

Route from Wellawaya to Handapangala Wewa Reservoir

Through : Galle Road
Distance : 13 km
Travel time : 20 minutes
Driving directions : see on Google map

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Panda wewa, lying close to the ancient kingdom of Panduwasnuwara is believed to be the oldest man made reservior in the world built by King Panduwasdeva (504-474 BC) in 450 BC for irrigation as well as for daily use by the citizens of Panduwasnuwara. […]
Yoda Wewa at Tissamaharama (තිස්සමහාරාම යෝධ වැව)
It is believed that this tank was built by King Mahanaga in the late 3rd Century BC and the Duratissa Wewa mentioned in the ancient texts is the current Yodha Wewa in Tissamaharama. […]
Tissamaharama Tissa Wewa: The First Oblique Dam in the World (තිස්සමහාරාම තිස්ස වැව)
The Tissa Wewa is one of the largest ancient irrigation tanks constructed the 3rd Century is considered the first Oblique Dam in the world […]

References

Also See

Map of the Handapangala Wewa Reservoir

Travelling to Handapangala Wewa Reservoir

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