According to our chronicles, king Pandukabaya built the first lake ‘Abayawewa’ and ‘Basawakkulama’ in fourth century B.C in the Malwathu Oya river basin. In this background, the continuously prolonged Lower Malwathu Oya reservoir construction since 1950 decade is now being realised. The lower Malwathu Oya reservoir is constructed by constructing a 3.6 km dam across Malwathu Oya at Bogoda Village situated within the close proximity of historic Thantirimale sacred zone. Malwathu Oya river basin is the country’s second largest river basin next to Mahaweli holding a capacity of 3246 square feet. It is learnt that Nachchaduwa, Nuwarawewa, Tisawewa, Mahakanadarawa and Pavakkulam major tanks are situated within the Malwathu Oya basin.

Source: Sunday Observer July 17, 2021 18:56 UTC