Kandalama Reservoir, dam in Kandalama
Kandalama Reservoir is a large man-made lake in central Sri Lanka created by a dam approximately 21 meters high and stretching over a mile long. The water body spans several kilometers and is surrounded by green hills and agricultural fields, with the dam itself forming a solid structure of stone and earth.
The reservoir was constructed between 1952 and 1957 by damming the Mirisgoniya River that flows from Kala Wewa lake. The project was part of Sri Lanka's irrigation development efforts and helped secure water supply for agriculture and surrounding communities.
The name comes from the nearby village of Kandalama, a traditional rural community where farmers have relied on irrigation for generations. The area remains a place where daily work and farming traditions continue, showing how people and water have been connected here for centuries.
The area is easiest to visit as a day trip from nearby attractions like the Dambulla rock temple, as they are located along the same route. The best times to visit are early morning or at sunset when the light is most pleasant and the surroundings remain quiet.
The reservoir sits close to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Dambulla rock temple dating to the first century BC and the ancient Sigiriya fortress from the 5th century. This proximity makes it an ideal point to explore multiple historical locations in a single day.
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