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This is another stupendous work of King Mahasen. He built this reservoir during
the end of his reign. Originally known as Ganthalwe Wewa. (plain gifted to temples)
It has a circumference of 20 miles with a height of 30 ft. The bund of the reservoir
at the base is measured to be 150 ft. It has a submerged area of 3,700 acres. The
bund was built using large stones piled up in a manner to contain water. Stupendous
amount of labor was expended for the construction of the bund of this reservoir.
The ancient Engineer selected this location for the reservoir due to surrounding
hills. He made maximum use of the existing hills to contain water. Henry Cave writes
the following on Kanthalai.
“Spotted deer are browsing: Peacocks airing their gaudy plumage, strut over the
plain; a majestic elephant is enjoying his evening bath in the shallows; herds of
buffaloes leave the shade of the woods to slake their thirst; grim crocodiles are
basking on the shore; troops of chattering monkeys are sky larking in the trees,
while the stately cranes and pink flamingos stalk the shallows. Such are the scenes
that surround the lake of Kanthalai”
It was rehabilitated by King Agbo the II (608-618) and rehabilitated and further
developed by King Parakramabahu (1153 - 1186) the Great.
Specifications of Kanthale Wewa
Catchment 216 Sq. Km.
Length of Dam 2300 m.
Height of Dam 18 m.
Capacity 135 millions cu. M
This tank is Located on the Polonnaruwa-Trincomalee road, the Kantale Tank is an
ancient reservoir rebuilt by King Aggabodhi II (604-614 AD) covering an extent of
3,750 hectares. Constructed for the irrigation of crops in this arid region, its
source of water is the Mahaweli River, the longest in the island, which flows out
to the sea at Trincomalee. The Kantale tank supports a thriving inland fishing industry
and has been designated an Important Bird Area by Bird life International in recognition
of the large populations of water-birds and birds of prey it supports. Large herd
of elephants also visit the shores of the tank to cool off and have a drink in the
evening from the surrounding jungle.
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