Among the rugged regions of the Central Province of Sri Lanka, one may come across a serene, human-made reservoir, which goes by the name of Kandalama Reservoir. It is an ideal place to take a leisurely walk from your Kandalama hotel the likes of Heritance Kandalama.
Overview
Kandalama Reservoir runs across 4.8 kilometres in length and measures 2.3 kilometres across its widest parts. It has been built by damming one of the major tributaries of Kala Wewa – Mirisgoniya River. This reservoir never dries up during the dry season and is known to supply water up to the distant Kekirawa region.
The Dam
The ancient dam towers from 21 metres and boasts of a width of 1,600 metres and rumour has it that it was built by the giants back in the day.
Nearby Attractions
The region brings you not only this reservoir (which is a must-visit even if it’s the only attraction around) but other attractions including UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Lion Rock Citadel Sigiriya and Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, all of which are located within a 15-kilometre radius from this reservoir.
Tourism
Kandalama Reservoir has been a point of attraction even during the British occupation of the country. Even now, elephant back rides are carried across the reservoir, much to the delight of foreign tourists.
