Tissa Wewa, artificial lake near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka
Tissa Wewa is a large reservoir in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, held back by an embankment roughly 2.8 kilometers long made of stone and earth. The water covers approximately 200 hectares and connects through a system of canals to other tanks, distributing water for farming and drinking throughout the region.
King Devanampiya Tissa had the reservoir built in the third century BC to supply water to the growing population and irrigate rice fields. Over two thousand years, rulers maintained the structure and it remained functional, with the last major repair occurring in 1889.
The reservoir takes its name from King Devanampiya Tissa, who built it over two thousand years ago. Today, local people use the water daily: fishermen cast their nets, farmers collect water for their fields, and visitors walk along the embankment watching how the place remains part of everyday life.
The embankment stretches roughly 2.8 kilometers and invites walking, offering views of the water and surrounding greenery. The site is easily accessible by bus, train, or car and provides a calm experience where you can observe the ancient engineering firsthand.
An ancient king used a device to pump water from the reservoir to a large Buddhist shrine called Ruwanweliseya for use during religious ceremonies and royal celebrations. This unusual application shows how closely water management and spiritual life were connected in the ancient city.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
