Abhaya Wewa (Sinhalese: අභය වැව), historically Abhayavapi (Sinhalese: අභයවාපි) or Bassawakkulama reservoir, is a reservoir in Sri Lanka, built by King Pandukabhaya who ruled in Anuradhapura from 437 Before Christ to 367 Before Christ, after constructing the city.
It was constructed in 380 BC. The dam of the reservoir is 10 m high. The water of the reservoir is also accumulated in the Giritale and Kantalai.
Size
Area is ; the length of the
Waw Kandiya (Sinhalese: වැව් කන්ඩිය
English language:
Embankment dam) is and height is . The width of the top of the embankment is to .
Purpose
Built inside the ancient Anuradhapura, it supplied water to the city population.
History
King Paduwasdeva of Sri Lanka, when married Subaddhakacanna from North India, and her seven brothers also came to Sri Lanka and established their villages. One of the brothers, Anuradha established Anuradhapura where he constructed the first reservoir. The reservoir was expanded by king Pandukabhaya. The reservoir was called
Abaya Vapi at that time, in memory of one of King's uncles. The reservoir was used to feed the irrigation system.
See also
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Irrigation works in ancient Sri Lanka
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Basawakkulama inscription
