Giritale Wewa, Polonnaruwa, Polonnaruwa Overview

Giritale Wewa or Giritale Tank is a reservoir in Giritale and Minneriya. Giritale Tank was one of the deepest tanks in Sri Lanka during the rule of ancient capital Polonnaruwa.

The Giritale Wewa Reservoir is not only a sightseeing venue in the area but also a historic location having a rich mythological history. The Sea of Parakrama built by Parakramabahu I is only a few kilometres away from the reservoir.

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History of Giritale Wewa

King Agbo II built the tank, and it is believed that King Parakramabahu renovated it in the twelfth century. Later, it was subjected to renovation several times in the 1900s during the colonial era.

The Architecture of Giritale Wewa

The reservoir has been made after meticulous planning as not only the rainwater but also the water that cascades down the mountain fill up the tank. It is further fed by a tributary of the Mahaweli River, revealing a very intricate network followed by the reservoir. The designing includes a sharp embankment of stone that crosses the hollow at the base of the hill and reaches the level ground. This water is used up by the nearby forests.

How To Reach Giritale Wewa, Polonnaruwa

Giritale is on the main road from Colombo to Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is about 160 kilometres from Colombo. The most efficient way to get to Giritale from Colombo is to take a train and then taxi. It will cost about LKR 1000-1500 and take up to 2 hours. Other ways to get there are by bus, taxi, or privately driven vehicle. By road, it could take over 4 hours to reach Giritale from Colombo. A taxi ride can cost anything between LKR 4000 - 6000.

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