Yoda Wewa at Tissamaharama (තිස්සමහාරාම යෝධ වැව)

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Yodha Wewa at Tissamaharama
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Yodha Wewa (The Giant Tank) in Tissamaharama should not be confused with the Yodha Wewa in Mannar District. It is believed that King Mahanaga built this reservoir in the late 3rd century BCE, and the Duratissa Wewa mentioned in ancient texts is identified as the current Yodha Wewa in Tissamaharama.

The first recorded mention of this reservoir appears in the 2nd century BCE, when King Saddhatissa (137–119 BCE), the brother of King Dutugemunu, is said to have built a viharaya at Duratissa Wewa, according to the Mahavamsa (ch. xxxiii.4-9). This indicates that Duratissa Wewa, now known as Yodha Wewa, predates the reign of King Saddhatissa.

According to historical records, King Illanga (38-44 CE) carried out expansion work on this reservoir in the 1st century BC and much later, King Prakramabahu (1153-1186 CE) carried out repairs to this reservoir which had breached (Parker, 1909, p. 383).

The embankment of the reservoir is about 3400 feet (1 km) long and 14 feet (4.2 m) high. The top of the bund is also about 15 feet (4.6 m) wide, enough to use it as a road. The surface area of the water is about 1230 acres. The tank has a capacity of around 31,500 acre-feet of water and provides irrigation facilities to over 30,000 acres in the area. (Parker, 1909, p. 383).

In addition, it channels water to over 162 small reservoirs in the area. The catchment area of this reservoir has been reduced due to the poor condition of the reservoir embankment and its distribution canal network.

The main source of water for Yodha Wewa is the water released from the Tissa Wewa upstream. In addition, 2 small streams starting from adjoining hills also feed this reservoir (Parker, 1909, p. 383). This is an ideal place for relaxing and observing birds for the bird lovers.

This reservoir is situated two miles from the Tissamaharama town on the Tissamaharama – Kirinda Road.

The ancient sluice gate of Yoda Wewa near the entrance of Yodakandiya Ancient Naga Maha Viharaya
Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage

References

Parker, H. (1909). Ancient Ceylon: An Account of the Aborigines and of Part of the Early Civilisation (1st ed.). Luzac & Co.
Mahanama, Geiger, W., & Bode, M. H. (1912). The Mahavamsa or the Great Chronicle of Ceylon. Translated into English by Wilhelm Geiger. For the Pali Text Society by Henry Frowde.

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Map of the Yoda Wewa at Tissamaharama

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Traveling to Directions to Yoda Wewa at Tissamaharama

Route from Hambantota to Yoda Wewa in Tissamaharama

Through : Debarawewa
Distance : 32 km
Travel time :45 minutes
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References

Also See

Map of the Yoda Wewa at Tissamaharama

Traveling to Directions to Yoda Wewa at Tissamaharama

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