MIHINTHALE: ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

H.M.M.B. SENEVIRATNE

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MIHINTHALE:

PART I

THE ENVIRONMENT

ISBN 978-955-52362-8-7

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Preface

It was a difficult task, but as it was indicated to the interview board of the Rajarata University of
Sri Lanka, Mihinthale, in 2005, the secondary reason for my intention to serve the university is
to study the area in and around Mihinthale. Blessings form the power of the holy site, guarded
the author during the stay at Mihinthale and more than 500 journeys made on field work and
weekly journey of travelling home. Leaving and entering Mihinthale, worshipping at Indikatu
Seya, all journeys made were successfully concluded.

The book attempts to give a brief account on environment of Mihinthale area and the
technological structure of the ancient constructions located in and around Mihinthale. The place
where Buddhism was established is today a busy ever expanding small town. Most of the
ancient constructions are in ruins, but Maha Seya (main Dagoba) and the temple is well
renovated. The ruins exhibit the technological knowhow of the craftsmen of the Ancient
Rajarata civilisation. Principles of utilisation of space and materials indicate an advanced stage
of technology, which constructed a well kept ancient religious complex. Visited by about an
average of 3 million tourists, the ruins provide employment and income to about a population of
20,000 living and working in the area in and around Mihinthale. Tourism income to other
sources like transport and accommodation was estimated at an average of 300 to 400 million
rupees. The total annual income generated from this unique resource may be around 2000 to
3000 million rupees (based on surveys on trade, transport and accommodation values between
2009 and 2015). The ruins, if resored scientifically, Mihinthale will be an asset of national
importance. All students of environmental management, Saman, Udayasiri, Karunarathna,
Roshan and Raja from Mihinthale town are remembered with gratitude. Former Head of Social
Sciences, Dr. Mrs. Bulankulama and Dilip Senanayake (former student and Presently with
Environmental Authority) are thanked for their help in the preparation of the booklet Mihinthale
in the commoration of the 15th Anniversary of Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, which was the
original attempt to write this book. Dr. JMSB Jayasundara is remembered as a collegue and a
friend for his assistance and help on various field trips made in the area.

A few pages of Sinhala translation is given for Sinhala reader.

Finally, it is the author who is responsible for all estimations made and requests clemency for
any errors made in presenting this document.

HMMB Seneviratne, BA, Hons (Cey), M.Phil. (Notts.), PhD. NTNU

ISBN 978-955-52362-8-7

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Introduction

One of the most sacred sites of Buddhism in the world is Mihinthale, where Buddhism was
established in Sri Lanka. For most of the visitors and the people in governance the focal point is
the Mihinthale Temple and its annual Poson pilgrimage. A detailed study of the environment in
and around Mihinthale has revealed that Mihinthale is also a place of innovation and invention,
which led to the development of one of the most successful ancient kingdoms in the world.
History and its grandeur is not the focus of this book as many writings are made on the topic,
but to reveal the technological and developmental methodology associated with Mihinthale.
Hidden behind the temple and its surrounding catchment of Mihinthala weva (known also as
Bulankulama) are the technological marvels, which indicate an advanced knowledge and
management system of the ancient Rajarata civilisation.

The understanding of this advanced system of technology and management system is conducted
on a method, which may reveal the technology that has been followed by the ancient kingdom
and its rulers. Development of any place, region or country depends on the understanding of
three major factors. They are the geology, climate and the best suited management system.

The ancient rulers of Mihinthale knew that they have to design this place of high value with the
highest quality management system. They have selected the best rock varieties for the purpose,
constructed drainage and storage system to prevent water shortage, erosion and sedimentation,
and established a settlement plan to conserve the sacred area and maintain a sustainable
economy.

Space

Space of the sacred area indicates that the geology, geomorphology and biological complex of
the area was well understood by the planners of the ancient kingdom, who established and
continuously modified the natural landscape.

Understanding geomorphology and geology

Geomorphology is the study of surface forms and processes. The study area is composed of
plain topography with rock ridges which is the macro landform of plains of North Central area
of Sri Lanka. Seneviratne (2006a) identifies this area under the category of Low Inland Plain
and details are given in Table1.

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Table 1 Inland Plain (Seneviratne, 2006a)

Category Valley Highland Geomorphological Land Use Value

profiles Profile Processes
Inland Wide to Wide to Intermittent In the other A highly
Plain – Low narrow narrow drought is the parts of the valuable
31 to 75 valleys with highland major hazard. Rill island the geomorphic
meters above meandering with lower and gully flow farming sub unit for
mean sea rivers and concave and dominant. Water villages the production
level. Mostly flood plains higher logging, gully dominate of food crops,
depositional convex erosion and the scenery timber and
and slopes. fluvial erosion are with heavy herbs.
emergent. Most of the the major acreage of Heavily
Ridges rise ridge like hazards.. paddy on under-utilised
to an average highland is Tornadoes and the due to
of about 150 topped by flash flooding lowlands. problems of
meters above tor like or have become The land
mean sea isolated rock major disasters highland is ownership
level. outcrop type due to poor covered and lack of
formations. settlement with home environmental
Covered planning and garden planning.
with a soil sedimentation of complex .
mixture with weva system and
some laterite drainage.
in places.

Geologically the area is situated in the Wanni complex with Gneiss, migmatite, granite and
schists. Mostly the area has a light coloured gneiss rock base with intrusions of migmatites
and granites. Seneviratne (2006a) gives details of rock types which is presented in Table 2.

Table 2 Rock types (Seneviratne, 2006a)

Group Description Locations to observe Structure

Wanni Gneiss Variety of pinkish to Mihinthlae hill Follow the trend lines
black gneisses and complex and of the Wanni series
granulites dominate Suwaddagala ridge. In and heavily jointed.
this region. There are all the other areas the Sometimes the
some locatinos with rock basement is fractures and shear
granite and pegmatite covered with thick zones turn the rock
intrusions. layer of Latosols. The formation into a
weva beds and valley shattered appearance.
bottoms are covered
with clayey soils.

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Soils type of the area can be identified as Calcic red yellow latosols in flat terrain with some
alluvial soils of variable drainage and texture in the valley bottoms and wev lowlands. The most
applicable profile for the area (Figure 1) was taken from Seneviratne (2006a)

Figure 1.Soils of the area ( drawn by Seneviratne, 2006a).

Reddish brown earths

Alluvial

Quarts vein and rubble

Underlying regolith or bedrock

In and around Mihinthale soils of the plain surface is Clayey with low absorption capacity.
Environmental managers of the Ancient Civilisation have designated the area to be a Sacred
area and the farming settlement (village) was located between the Suwaddagala ridge and
Mahakanadarawa weva, on a higher ground above the maximum expected flood levels.

Climate

Climate of the area is identified as dry and situated in the central part of the dry zone the area
receives rain from two inter-monsoons and north-east monsoon. The main rainy season is from
November to January, though some heavy rains can occur in April and October. Seneviratne
(2006) gives details of climate which are presented in Tables 3,4,5 and 6. (see Appendix 4)

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Table 3 Climate –North-East monsoon

PROCESS NATURE IMPORTANCE PRESENT

STATUS AND
CHANGE
North – east Monsoon is A result of the The most readily awaited The global
an air mass which draws tropical maritime rainfall process in the climatic change
moisture from the Bay of air mass moving eastern and north central has seriously
Bengal on its way from the over the island in lowlands and eastern affected the
Central Asia to the a north-east mountains of Sri Lanka, regularity,
equatorial low pressure. /south-west which brings rain to all reliability and the
These clouds are pushed direction between the upper catchment areas rainfall status of
by the upper atmospheric November and of the major streams and the north-east
trade winds and reach Sri February. rivers of the area. The monsoon. The
Lanka riding on wave The system streams of the area feed prime reason for
disturbances. They form originates in the the wevas Bulankulama , the above situation
overcast sky with Siberian high Nelumkulama, stems from the
moderate intensity long pressure/ Mahakanadarawa and effect El Nino and
duration rain. A few rainy deflected by the Puwarasnakulama. The La Nina scenarios.
days are broken by a dry coriolis force/ whole area is in the These elements
spell of two to three days. pulled by the heat catchment of Weli Oya, affect the direction
cell formed in the which is a branch of of flow and the
Stages of the Monsoon equator, drifts Malwathu Oya. These quantity of water
over Sri Lanka rains are the source of vapor supplied to
1. Arrive in the island in loosing height water for the cultivation the air mass. This
the beginning of and converging of wet paddy and is a result of the
November and stay active on the North irrigated paddy in the global warming.
till the middle of March. eastern plains and area and many other The strength of the
the hills and grains including corn. north easterlies
2. In some inland areas mountain ranges Further these rains may be weakened
the stratus clouds will of the eastern support the cultivation of in the next 50 to
encourage the growth of highlands. many types of vegetables 100 years as
cumulus clouds strong and fruits. predicted by the
enough to activate Research conducted climatologists and
Thunderstorms. Climatic indicates that these rains research conducted
change has resulted in the cause flash flood at indicates general
construction of more and intensities higher than 80 reduction in the
more line squalls, which, millimeters an hour, annual rainfall and
are associated with high floods in the low lying increased rainfall
intensity thunder storms areas when monthly intensity.
and rare tornadoes. rainfall exceed 600
millimeters and major
3. North-east monsoon is floods at 700 or more
a weaker airmass than the millimetres a month.
south-west monsoon.

It is estimated that about 45 percent of the rainfall of the area is received from north-east
monsoon, 30 percent from October- November inter monsoon and the rest from thunderstorms
from April to September. The research conducted indicates that the regularity of the seasons are
highly disturbed by the increased effect of El Nino or La Nina in the last 20 to 30 years. Further,

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rainfall intensities have increased with more active lightning storms during the months of April
and October.

Table 4 October-November / Intermonsoon

PROCESS NATURE IMPORTANCE PRESENT

STATUS AND
CHANGE
Thunderstorms of Sri Lanka Most of the The It has been noted
originate from the sea-land thunderstorms are of thunderstorms that the intensity of
breeze activity or the water moderate intensity, are an thunderstorm rain
vapor supplied by the easterly but some of the important has increased as a
waves of the tropical cumulo-nimbus element of rain result of global
convergence. clouds can be deep in the area. warming.
and rise to a height of They provide a
Cyclonic activity is rare in the 15 to 20 kilometers valuable
Weather of the study area but and produce heavy component of
tornadoes and rains with heavy lightning and heavy rain to
winds can occur during this torrential rain. these areas.
period. Between 2005 April and However they
2011 March there was one can activate
major tornado and 12 storms heavy erosion
which recorded wind velocities and flash
over 45 kilometers per hour. floods.

The life history records indicate that the nature of climate has changed in the period of last 50
years from a climate with a reliable seasonal rainfall in the North-easterlies period to a climate
with many unexpected occurrences.

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Hydrology (see Appendix 1,2 and 3)

Hydrology of the area is typical of a tropical dry zone area with only about two months of
proper wet period. From March to September the area is very dry, broken only by rare
thunderstorm or depression rain. Details of hydrology of the area (Table 5) can be described
using Seneviratne (2006).
All the rivers are seasonal and streams are ephemeral, but during heavy rains they can be
disastrously high and flow at high velocities.

Stream originating from the forest area (light ash colour) has low amounts of
sediements than the stream originating from the urban area (orange colour with heavy
load of sediement).

Stream in the shrub forest (ephemeral)

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Type Present situation
Streams of 1,2 Except for the streams
and 3 of the located in the forests and
Strahler system inaccessible parts of the
(Mostly rocky areas these streams
ephemeral) are totally destroyed by
human intervention.
Blockage of these or
plough across them has
removed them from the
cultivated areas and built-
up area.
Streams of 4 and Except for the streams
5 of the Strahler demarcated in the land
system (Mostly allocation exercises or a
seasonal) stream with high flow
level during the rainy
season these are
completely destroyed or
blocked by human
intervention. Most of the
flash flood victims live on
these stream beds.
Type Present situation
Permanent All permanent rivers are
streams and blocked by weva
rivers construction in the area
and flow only when there
is an overflow or release
of water.
Table 5 Hydrology of streams and rivers
Forest Environment
Result
The destruction of soil conservation
measures during heavy rains with more
than 60 to 80 mm/hr intensities. The
destruction of, home garden plots and
some paddy is a result of the hiding of
this category streams.
This group of streams is with extremely
high erosive power, during storms of 60
to 80 mm/hr and above. The
overflowing of these streams result in
destruction of farm land, roads and
railways. On average about 10 to 15
incidents are reported or observed
annually during the rainy season or
heavy rains.
Result
Flash flooding is common in the valleys
rains with more than 80 mm/hr intensity
storms in their cathcments. Serious
erosion within the bed and the valley
sides is observed during flooding and
heavy flooding. Sedimentation in the
reservoirs results from this high erosive
power resulting from lack of
conservation of the catchment areas.
The catchment area conservation plans
have not seriously considered the effect
of household unit and sedentary farming
on the erosion and sedimentation
system.
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Sri Lankan vegetation is a product of its climate and topography which is rarely present in any
other island of its size. In 1881 in 81% of Sri Lanka was covered by forest. Today only about 24
% is covered by true forest and another about 10 percent by forest plantations. This Island very
small but it has 50% of world flora families. There are about 3771 species 929 of them are
(28.3%) endemic to this country.

The natural forest is almost non-existent in the Mihinthale area. According to life history
surveys, early settlers and the government authorities under British and Independence Sri lanka
have harvested all the valuable timber. The forested area today is composed of a few fully
grown trees (about 5percent) and a shrub forest and thorny shrub (95 percent). Plantations are
kept well but illegal cutiing continues at an alarming rate. Few clots of endemic vegetation can
be seen on the Mihinthale temple hill and Rajarata Campus gorunds.

Major part of the area in and around Mihinthale is a sanctuary. However, the growth of urban
area has resulted in the heavy destruction of its natural vegetation. The university area and the
rocky ridges contain a few endemic species, but most of these are dying due to poor
regeneration resulting from climatic change. Rest of the area designated as forest reserves are
gradually destroyed by illegal loggers. Estimates indicate that about an average of 10 to 20
kilos of firewood is collected by a household per week and 2 to 4 hand tractor loads can be
witnessed every day ( an observation made by a look-out at the town center) carrying firewood
or fencing poles cut from the forests around Mihinthale.

Old (the trunk and canopy of the palu tree) and the new garden planted by clearing the
forest in and around 1980, for a housing scheme

Ancient Environment

Ancient kingdom began its construction on the landform constructed by the Jurassic inland seas,
which submerged up to about 300 meters above present day elevation of Sri Lanka. Most of the
clear cut profiles of rounded rock outcrops ( including Aradhangala) in the area were a result of
Jurassic submergence and associated Tsunamis, which have washed away the rubble. The
stream lines of this time were a result of Pleistocene wet periods which carried higher levels of
water and established their lines of flow. These streams had about 1.5 to 2 times of present day
flow during the period of the ancient kingdom as estimated rainfall and spring discharge was
higher than today and all the rock outcrops and hills were properly conserved.

The constructions of the Temple and the surrounding area were facilitated by the availability of
granulite (light coloured fine grain gneiss) in the rock outcrops. Most of the rock outcrops
surrounding the main Mihinthala outcrop have to bee used for mining for stone requirements.

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Cut edges and abandoned quarries with displaced rock boulders indicate that most of the rock
supply for the constructions were gathered from the rock outcrops to the north of the Mihinthale
rock.

Under the rule of the Rajarata Kingdom Mihinthale was highly conserved for the use of temple
and pilgrims. The ruins indicate no major settlement in the Mihinthala weva catchment and the
settlements were located in the divide between Mihinthala weva and Puwarasankulam weva and
on the high ground to the west of Mahakanadarawa weva.

Mihinthal weva was purposely built for the use of the temple and pilgrims and its bund was
higher than today and the edge of the weva has extend to the foot of the first set of steps to the
temple. A relic of old weva bund was found connected to the rock outcrop located north west of
the present end of the weva bund. The detailed geomorphology of the weva catchment indicate
that water flow from this rock outcrop was diverted to the weva using a set of stone basins and
cut drains.

The construction of many ponds on and around the main Mihinthala ridge was aimed at
collection, conservation and diversion of water for the human use ( the exact locations of these
magnificient constructions will not be revealed to persons other than qualified researchers for
the fear of vandalism, but details are available with the Department of Social Sciences, Rajarata
University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale). Investigations into hydrological environment has
indicated that rapid flow originating from rock outcrops were directed along them utilising
carved drains and the velocity of flow was reduced by carving or building small stone cut
ponds. These storage and diversion systems are of high precision as some of them are still in
operation during heavy rains of 60 millimeters per hour intensities or more.

Biodiversity of the area has been destroyed by many human intrusions into the sacred area
through poor environmental planning since the coming of British. Surveys conducted indicate
that the major destruction began in the 1990s with the unplanned expansion of Mihinthale town
and its periphery, which has shown no clemency to the sacred area or the true value of
Mihinthale. However, some pockets of pristine shrub forest can be seen in and around the rock
out crops. Research indicate that the area around the Mihinthale area was kept as a park land,
with upper catchments of the major streams under permanent forest cover. There is evidence to
show that forest harvesting and gathering of medicinal and food herbs were practised within this
park land.

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Parkland type ancient landscape (suspected remnenets of the ancient engineered landscape)

Environmental management system of the ancient kingdom was of an excellent order, with
harvesting and conservation combined together. Lagamuwa, (2007), indicates the evidences of
advanced system of environmental management of the ancient kingdom of Rajarata.

“ in the 3rd century BC, it was prohibited to slaughter animals within a circumference of
25 miles of Anuradhapura city ”

“In 12 th century AD, it was prohibited to slaughter animals, fishing and cut timber
within a circumference of 35 kilometers of Polonnaruwa city ”

the above two edicts were aimed at preventing water pollution, spread of disease and
securing a religious environment.

The breaking of environmental law and edicts demanded heavy punishment. The illegal
felling of trees was punished by hard labour related to tank building and restoration.
These actions were punishable by a fine or manual work.

“ illegal cutting of trees were punished by a fine or cutting and repairing an area equal
to about 48 cubic meters of weva”. Mihinthale Pillar Inscription, King Mihindu IV.

“ the palm, coconut, tamarind and Mee trees on Mihinthala hill should not be cut or
removed. The persons including the royal servants who break this law should be
punished by a fine and the income collected should be given to the temple” Mihinthala
Pillar Inscription, King Sena II, AD 853-887.

The preservation of selected trees in the above inscription was aimed at producing
materials for consumption and trade.

The technology of water management was the core of the success of the kingdom.

“ The sluice of Tissa weva should be closed nine days after harvest in the fields of
Isurumuniya and allow it to fill again. Then the remaining water can be released first to
the temple and surrounding area and any excess water should be released to Malwathu
Ela. In addition the land belonging to the temple should not be taken over by anyone.”
Wessagiriya Inscription, Mihindu IV, 956-973.

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“ 2 Aka (an older currency) was fined for flooding of paddy fields (over use of water),
before ploughing (there was a set standard for ploughing). If ploughing was not done
correctly the person at fault was fined with one Kalang of gold. If the ploughing was
not done as prescribed, the person at fault was fined 5 kalangs of gold.”

The environmental rules and regulations similar to above orders and edicts are today
equalled only in the most developed and advanced countries of the world, indicating the
most advanced modern system was practised in the ancient kingdom of Rajarata.

Present habitat (based on surveys conducted by students field work and life story data
between 2005 may and 2015 may)

Present Mihinthale town began with the establishment of rehabilitation programme of

Mihinthale by British government. The commercial establishments grew with the
establishment of Mahakanadarawa Irrigation Scheme. The large scale pilgrimage began
in the 1960s with the development of motrised transport. Establishment of the Rajarata
University of Sri Lanka led to a rapid growth and during the 30 year civil war it became
a valuable link to the north. After the end of hostilities, the rapid growth of transport
services enabled Mihinthale to grow at a rapid pace and today it is a small town with a
presence of about 3000 to 6000 daily commuters.

Major income source of the area is centered on the pilgrimage to Mihinthale sacred site
and Rajarata University service system. These two provide employment for about 3000
traders, labourers and craftsmen of various types and service personnel.

The population of the area is mainly composed of Sinhala Buddhists but a small
minority of Christians, Muslims and Hindus live in the area. The composition is
diverse with people from the western and central parts of Sri Lanka have come to
Mihinthale by way of resettlement programs, government employment and trading.
Life history information indicates that they have stayed mainly due to availability of
land and income from pilgrims.

The traditional occupations in the area are Farming and fishing. Selling essentials for
pilgrims in temporary shops (kiosks) and providing tour guiding is also practiced by a
few. Farming and fishing is seriously affected by drought and high prices of inputs.
Siltation of Mihinthale, Mahakanadarawa and all the other minor tanks in the area has
reduced their water retention capacity by about 30 40 percent or more. This low water
retention and changed climate affect farming and fishing through lack of sufficient
water in the dry season. Five times between 2005 and 2015, there was insufficient water
for proper cultivation of paddy and farming was affected. Drought of 2015 to 2017 is
the most damaging drought in the last decade with almost total loss of paddy in
Mihinthale area. The pattern and intensity of rain has changed with occurrence of more
dry weather tornadoes low intensity rainfall which evaporates without constructing a
flow to the weva or streams. Temperatures in the area have increased by an average of
1.4 degrees Celsius (2005 – 2015 data). The urban area increase is more with an
average rise of 2.2 degrees Celsius (2005 – 2015 data).

Table 6 Increase of activity in Mihinthale town area (from the Clock tower to
Welankulama junction along Anuradhapura to Trincomalee road and University staff
quarters to Bonji Temple site)

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 Item 2005 May 2015 May
Commercial units 36 76
Housing units 15 31
Housing and 20 37
commercial units
Private medical 2 4
practitioners
Estimated number of 240,000 625,000
Pilgrims 5 days of
Poson time
Estimated number of 420,000 730,000
Pilgrims rest of the year
Number of temporary 324 654
commercial units during
Poson period
Average vehicular 26,000 48,000
traffic Poson 5 days
Number of residential 1 2
hotels 4 star
Number of residential 4 8
hotels 3 star and below
Banks 1 3
Industrial units 0 2
Number of three 14 71
wheelers

University students and staff and pilgrims form the major customer base of Mihinthale
town. As the respondents of commercial establishment indicate that about 20 percent of
their customers are associated with university community and closure of university
affect their trade seriously. By 2015 though there was an increase in the number of
pilgrims the trade value of pilgrims have reduced due to availability of more transport
facilities, which reduced the time pilgrims spent at Mihinthale. However, about 40
percent of the total income generated from trade is realized from Poson 5 days and poys
days.

Problems of environmental management

Seneviratne, (2005, 2006a, 2007, 2010 and 2011) indicates that the area in and around
Mihinthale is subjected to heavy pressure from urban and urban related development
and its environmental quality has degraded rapidly in the last 10 years. Biodiversity is
rapidly lost in the area due to illegal felling of timber and poaching. All weva are highly
polluted and there is a serious problem of sedimentation and loss of fish and bird life.
Effect of heavy erosion and sedimentation was revealed during the 2010-2011 rainy
season, with massive damages to the road network and many housing areas through
flash flooding. Effect of heavy winds is increasing with fall of old semi-decayed trees,
which destroy buildings and block road traffic. The amount of dust in the air is
increased due to heavy sedimentation during rainy periods and improper waste disposal.

15
Water pollution by sediementation
The difference between the colour of water in the two streams ( lighter colour water
of the stream originating in the forested area and the orange colour water with a
heavy sediment load originating from the urban area) indicate the impact of
unplanned constructions on sediment load.

Drought has become a common scene in the climate, which has reduced the income
of farming families and auxiliary employment linked to farming. Estimates made
indicate that the wev system in the area was built during the Ancient Rajarata
civilisation to support cropping for two seasons if the expected rainfall is not
delivered by the intermonsoon and north east monsoon. The expected rainfall of the
time of the ancient Rajarata civilisation was about 300 to 500 millimeters higher
than that of today (Seneviratne, 2005).

However, two factors have resulted in the formation of present drought pattern in
and around Mihinthale area, which is applicable to the dry zone in Sri Lanka.

Firstly, the changed climate has reduced the rainfall totals, nature and seasonality of
rainfall, which has resulted in a drop of the 10 years average from 1600 to about
1000 millimeters. In addition, an increase of temperature by an average of about
1.2 degrees Celcius results in higher rates of evaporation, reducing wev storage
faster than before.

Secondly, the water consumption has increased heavily due to existence of a

complex system of economy in which commercial, transport and industrial activities
consume large quantities of water. Further, creation of individual housing and living,
waste water on an individual consumption basis, in opposite to common use of
water during the period ancient kingdom. In addition all wev catchments are

16
 destroyed by a systematic encroachment by public and private property leading to
blockage of water supply and siltation of weva.

It is estimated that the sluice of Mihinthale weva was lowered, roads built across its
upper reach (thawulla) and buildings constructed by public and private authorities
resulted in a loss of about half of its capacity in the last century.

Solutions

Establishment of a proper waste disposal and drainage system, to prevent transport

of waste and sediments to the weva

Plan to preserve the biodiversity of the area and enforcement of the rules and
regulations in the Sanctuary

Reengineering the settlement plan and finally move all the settlements from the
Mihinthale sacred area.

Solution to drought is to follow the methodology of the ancient innovative design.

In the ancient Rajarata kingdom, weva was built to function in an environment of

higher rainfall than today, limited water use and proper environmental management
of its upper catchment and upper reach (thawulla). Abandoned or partially functional
30 large ponds and 55 small ponds were discovered by student’s field work in the
catchment area of Mihinthale weva. These storage points were constructed in the
Rajarata civilisation to supply water to monks living in the caves and pilgrims,
which led to the storage of excess water during the rainy season, delay direct flow to
weva and construct a high ground water level for springs to remain active for a
minimum period of about 3 to 4 months after the end of major rainy season.
Estimate made indicated that lack of proper drainage in the catchment area due to
depressions constructed by improper construction of buildings, roads and open
spaces result in a loss of about 35 to 40 percent of water, which other wise is
expected to flow to weva.

Mihinthale weva like any other weva (small or large) is heavily damaged in an era
where there is no master plan to revive this invaluable resource. The Rajarata kinga
and engineers have designed weva to accommodate the ancient environment, but
today rulers and engineers have no such plan. Until such innovative design comes
into operation, massive drought relief from the government and drought relief work
and collection of free or reduced price ration (sahana malla) by the farming families
will be the scene of the time.

It is the belief of the author that if a proper environmental management plan is not
employed in the area in the next 15 to 20 years, the unique identity of Mihinthale
will definitely be lost, which is the greatest mistake of the Sinhala Buddhist rulers of
independent Sri Lanka.

yeÈkaùu

17
fn!oaOd.u ia:dms; jq ñyska;,h ±kg f,dj ;=, mj;sk fn!oaOhkaf.a mQckSh ia:dk
j,ska tlls' fuu bmerKs m%foaYhg wd.ka;=l mqoa.,hka flaka\ .;ùug uQ,sl fya;=j
ù we;af;a ñyska;f,a mkai, yd fmdfidka iuhhs' ñyska;f,a mßY%h yd ta wjg
mßirh ie,lSfïÈ th uy;afia w.fhka mqrdK iuD¾êu;a rcrg rdcOdksfha flkaÞhla úh'
kuqÿ fuu fmd; ,sùfï wruqK jQfha b;sydi Y%s úN+;sh lshd mEu fkdj ñyska;,d
m%foaYh ;=< we;s ;dlaIKh yd ixj¾Ok úêl%u t<s lsÍuh. ñyska;,d mkai, yd ta
wjg c,dOdrh tkï ñyska;,d jej tu ;dlaIKh úoyd olajhs' thska merKs rcrg
YSIAGdpdrh ;=< jQ Wiia oeKqu yd l<ukd lrK moaO;sh ms<sô.= fõ'

fuu m%foaYfha we;s ks¾udKhka ;=,ska mqrdK rdcOdkskays md,lhkaf.a l

%shd ud¾. fydÈka ms<Usnq fõ' hï fmfoila fyda rgla ixj¾Okhg tu m%foaYfha
N= úoHdj yd foaY.=Kh u; mokï jQ l<ukdlrK moaO;sh fhdod .;hq;= nj Tjqka ±k
isáhy'

mqrdK ñyska;,d md,lhka ;=< fï ms<sno ukd wjfndaOhla ;snq w;r Tjqka fuu
fmoi b;d fydo ;;ajfha l<ukdlrK moaO;shlska ms<sfh, lf<ah'Tjqka fuu wjYH;d
imqrd .ekSu ioyd ta wjg we;s fhda.H;u mdIdK j¾. Ndú;d lr we;' fuu l,dmh
;=< mj;sk c, ys.h ioyd ms<shula jYfhka c,jyk yd .nvd moaO;shla bÈlr we;' fï
fya;=fjka ñyska;,d mßirh ;=< iaÓr wd¾Òl jgmsgdjla yd wdrlaIdldÍ mQckSh
fmoila ks¾udKh ù ;snQ nj fmfka'

mqrdK rdcOdks ks¾udKlrejka úiska ñyska;,d mßirh ;=< msysá N+ úoHd" N+

rEmk yd ffcj úúO;ajhka fydÈka f;areï f.k we;snj wogo tu m%foaYh .ek wjOdkh
fhduq lsÍfïÈ fmkShhs' Tjqka úiska ñyska;,d m%foaYh iajNdjdl mßirhg ydksh;a
fkdjk mßÈ kùlrKh l, nj ikd; fõ '

N+ úoHdj yd mdIdK j¾.

fuu m%foaYh jkaks fY%aKshg wh;a l¿.,a "ue.akhsÜ" .%ekhsÜ yd YsIg j,ska
iukaú;h
frdai yd l¿ meye;s mdIdK úfYaI fuys olakg we; .%ekhsÜ iy fm.aughsÜ ñY%
mdIdK l=Üá iuyr ia:dk j, olakg we; '

ñyska;,d lÿ jeáh wjg yd iqjeoao., jeáh m%foaYfha fuu mdIdK ±lsh yelsh
,egfida,a mia j,skao ' jeõmdou yd ta wjg m%foaY ueá ñY% miskao iukaú;h'

18
ñyska;f,a yd ta wjg ìï fmfoi ueá ñY% miska iEÈ we;s w;r tys wju c, wjfYdaIK
Odß;djla we;' mqrdK YsIAGdpdr ks¾udK lrejka fuu fmfoi yd iqjoaod., w;r
fmfoi mQckSh fmfoi c, .e,au Wjÿre n,mdk fmfofia j,g by<ska ksraudKh lf<ah'

foaY.=Kh (see appendix 4)

fuys úh<s ld<.=K yd foaY.=K ;;ajhka we;s w;r ñyska;,h úh<s l,dmfha uOHu
fldgfia msygss m%foaYhla fõ tu ksid tu m%foaYhgo úh<s l<dmhg fuka
jeiai ,efnkafka wka;¾ fudaiï foflka yd BYdk os. fudaifuka muKs' m%Odk
j¾Idm;k ld,ha fkdfjeïnrfha isg ckjdrs olajd jk w;r iuyr wêl j¾Idm;khka wm
%sfh,a yd fkdjeïnra udi j,os we;s fõ'

BYdk os. fudaiu

foieïn¾ ui uq,a Nd.fhka werô fmnrjdrs ui w. olajd ,xldj mqrd mj;S' BYdk os.
fudaifuysos isoqjkqfha iuldikak wvq msvk ;;aj fya;=fjka uOHu wdishdfjs isg
fnx.d, fndlal Tiafia jdhq Odrd mdú tafuoS tu j<dl`=M j, wka;¾.; ù we;s c,h
j¾Idm;kh f,i ,ndosuhs fuu j<dl=`M ksrka;rfhka by< jdhqf.da,Sh fj<`o iq<x
u.ska Ys% ,xldj foig le<ôï iys;j ;,a,q lrhs' fïjd Ys% ,xldj ;=< os.=ld,Sk uOHu c,
m%udKhla ,ndfok j¾Idm;khka we;s lrhs'

iuyr m%foaY leá i:r j<dl=`M we;sùfï m%jk;djh we;slrhs' iq<s iq<x we;s úfï m
%jK;djh we;slrhs' foaY.=Ksl ùm¾hdi fya;=fjka ±ka ±ka cj iq<x we;s lrhs tu
ksid jvd ;SjQr iq<s iq<x yd fgdakefvda we;s úh yels yelsh'

Ys% ,xldfõ W;=re ueo yd kef.kysr m%foaY j,g myiq yd jvd;a n,dfmdfrd;a;= jk
j¾Idj BYdk os. fudaiuhs' fuu j¾Idj u`.ska tu m%foaY j, c, Odrd fmdaIKh lrhs'
tajd kï nq,xl=,u jej fk`:ï l=,u jej, uylkordj jej yd mqjrikal=,u jejhs' fuu
jraIdm;kh tu m%foaY j, j.d lghq;= l=Uqre jev yd fjk;a OdkH j.djka tkï brs.=
jeks j.d lghq;= j,g c,h imhk m%Odk ud¾.h fõ'

;jo fuu jeiai u`.ska tu m%foaYj, f.dúkag t<j`M yd m<;=re j.djka isÿlr .ekSugo
Wmldrs fõ' fuu jeis iuyr wjia:dj,oS .xj;=r we;sùsugo fya;= fõ' mehg ññ 80 g
jeä ;S%jqr;djhka we;s j¾Idm;khka iuyr úgos uilg ññ 600 jeäjk úg m%Odk
.xj;=r ;;ajhka we;s úh yelsh'

flfiafj;;a f.da,Sh foaY.=Ksl ;;aj YS% ,xldfõ BYdk os. fudaiugo ;oska n,md we;' fï
i`oyd m%Odk fya;=j ú we;af;a t,aksfkda yd ,dksfkda ;;ajhkah' fuu ;;ajh jdhq
Odrdjkays m%udKhg fukau .uka.kakd osYdjgo m%Odk f,i n,md we;' fuhg
fya;=j ù we;af;a jdhqf.da,h WKqiqï úuhs' bosrs oYl 5 ;=<os BYdk os. iq<x
;;ajh ÿ¾j, fõhhs ld<.=K úoHd{hka mjid we;' oekgo fuu ;;ajh jd¾Isl
j¾Idm;khkays isÿjk wvqùu u`.ska fydÈka fmkajd fohs'

±kg .Kkh lr we;s wdldrhg uqqq¿ j¾Idm;kfhka 45] l j¾Idm;khla ,efnkqfha

BYdk È. fudaiñka jk w;r 30] Tlaf;dan¾ fkdjeïn¾ wka;¾ fudaifukao b;ssßh
wms%fh,a- iema;eïn¾ Odrdksmd; jeis u.skao fú'

Ys% ,xldj ;=< we;sjk .s.=reï iys; l=Kdgq jeis j,g fya;=jkqfha uqyqÿ iq<x
u`.ska isÿlrk c, jdIam by< jdhqf.da,hg ;,a¨ lsßfï ls%hdj,sh ksidhs'

19
fuu ld, mrdih ;=< iq<s iq<x ls%hdldrlï wvq w;r ;rul ;o jeis iu. fgdakefvda ;;aj
we;s ùu isÿfõ' 2005 wms%fh,a yd 2011 ud¾;= ld, mrdi w;r ie<lsh hq;= m
%udKfha tla fgdakefvdajla yd iq<s l=Kdgq 12 we;s j’ ;snqKq w;r tajdfha iq<x
fõ.h mehg ls ñ 45g jvd jeä f,i jd¾;d ú we;'

iq<s iq<x j,ska fndafydauhla uOHu ;Sjqr;d uÜgï j, we;s w;r iuyr leá jeys
j<dl=`M wyi ;=< lsñ 15 - lsñ 20 Wig ks¾udKh fú' fïjd b;d ;o úÿ,s fláï iy tljr
lvdyef,k fõ.j;a j¾Idm;k we;slrhs'

j¾;udkfhao’ f.da,’h WKqiqï ùu fya;=fjka fuu .s.=reï iys; j¾Idm;khkaaf.a

ie<lsh hq;= j¾Okhla ^;’jqr;djfha jeäùula& isÿú we;s nj fmk’ hhs'

c, jsoHdj ( see appendix 1,2 and3)

fuu m%foaYh wjg c,h .ek ie,l’fïos úh<s l<dmhg wdfõKsl ksj¾;k foaY.=Khla
we;s w;r udi foll muK f;;a ld<.=Khla we;' ud¾;= isg iema;eusnra olajd úh<s
ld<.=Khla mj;sk w;r wjmd; yd wl=Kq we;sùu ksid boysg jeiai we;sfjs'

.x.d yd we, fod< -jra;udk ;;ajh

le<e no m%foaY j, yd ñksidg ,xúh fkdyels fldgia j, msysá we, fod< wereKq
fldg wfklajd ñksia ueosy;a ùfuka fndfyda ÿrg úkdY ù we;' j.d lrk m%foaY j,g
yd kd.rsl m%foaY j,g .,k tu osh mdrj,a wjysr lsrsu yd .uka u. fjkia lsrsï isoq
lsrsu ksid úkdY ù hhs'

bvï fjka lsrsfï ls%hdj,sfhaos we, fod< ud¾. m%udKhla .,d hk iïmQraKfhkau
úkdY ù fyda iïmQraKfhkau wjysr lr we;' fndfyda .xj;=r Wjoqre u`.ska m’vdjg
m;ajk ñksiqka c’j;ajkqfha fuu wjysr fyda úkdY jQ we, udhsï j,h'

jk mrsirh

ñyska;f,a m%foaYfhka m%Odk fldgila ñyska;,d wNh N+ñh l=, mj;’. fuu m
%foaYh kd.r’lrKh ùu fya;=fjka iaNdúl jk j.djg fndfyda ydksù we;' úYaj úoHd,
mrsY%h ;=< yd .,a mraj; msysá m%foaY ;=< Y’% ,xldjg wdfõKsl jQ me,Eá
úfYaI ;rula oqrg wog;a fYaIj mj;’' fïjdhska fndfydauhla foaY.=Ksl fjkiaùu
fya;=fjka ke;sù hñkaa mj;S'

ñyska;,d mßirh yd wjg m%foaYh iEÈ we;af;a .ekqhs,aÜ mdIdKfhks fuu

Woa.;hka fndfydaúg mdIK wjYH;d ioyd leãu isÿlrhs ±kg fuu m%foaYj,
f.dvke.s,s iEo’u ioyd mj;sk mdIdK wjYH;djh fndfydauhla imqrkafka
ñyska;,fhys W;=re fldgfiys msysá mdIdK Woa.;hkaf.ks'
ñyska;,d jej mqjrikal=,u jej yd uylkord jefjys ngysr fldgi u`.ska fuu m%foaYhg
wjYH c, wjYH;d imqrd o’ we;s nj mqrdK kgUqka fmkajd fohs ñyska;,d jej m
%Odk jYfhka f.dvk`.d we;af;a ñyska;,d mkai,g yd jkaokd ld,h ioyd m
%fhdackhg .ek’ughs ;jo tys jeo.;alu olakg ,efnk w;r th w;’;fhao’ ñyska;,d
mkai, mduq, isg úyso’ ;sfnkakg we; ±kg jej msysá udhsfï BYdk udhsug jkakg

20
msysá mdIdK Woa.;hkag yd iïnkaOj merKs jefõ udhsï msysgd ;sî we;s njo
Tmamq ù ;sfí

ñyska;f,a m%foaYfha olakg ,efnk fndfydauhla fmdl=Kq ieo’fï uQ,sl wruqK ù

we;af;a ñksia mrsfNdackh ioyd wjYH c,h tla /ia lr iq/lsj ;nd .ek’uh fïjd .ek
f;dr;=re fy<s lsrsu fndfydaúg isoqlrkqfha .fõYlhkag yd úu¾Ylhkag muKs
ukaoh;a ke;fyd;a fïjdys we;s jákd l,djia;= fndfydaúg úkdYlsrsug bv we;s
neúks

fuu m%foaYfha c, Odrl .ek úuraYkh lsrsfïo’ mdIdK Woa.;hka ;=<ska c,fhys i’.
% neiaula we;slr lemqus u.ska .uka u. fjkia lr yd .,a m¾j; u; l=vd fmdl=Kq
lem’u u.ska c, myfryss fõ.h wvqlr we;' wogo fuu moaO;sfhys ls%hdjka
h:d¾;hla njg fmkajñka mehg ññ 60 jvd jevs j¾Idm;khka ioyd wogo fuu .nvd
yd yerjqï moaO;s id¾;lj ls%hd;aul fjhs

fuu m%foaY ;=< mej;s ffcj úúsO;ajh j;auka iudÔh ls%hdldrlï u.ska úkdY ù
we; ;jo ns%;dkHhkaf.a meñK’fuka miq isoqjq mrsir ydksh ksido ft;sydisl ìïlv
úkdYù we; ydksh isoqjsu werUsfha 1990 os ñyska;,d mqoìug yd tys mrahka;
k.rfha isoql< wúêu;a fya;=fjks thska ñyska;f,a ft;sydisl N+ushg yd tys
jeo.;alug fndfyda ydks isoqjs we;. tfy; afkdls<sá l=vd le<En`o m%foaY ;ju;a
ñyska;f,a mdIdK fldgia wjg b;srsj we;

merKs rdcOdks moaO;s ;=< ;snq mßir l<ukdldß;ajh

merKs rdcOdks moaO;s;=< ;snq mßir l<ukdldß;ajh b;d w.fkah. tys jQ

wiajkq .ekSu yd tajd iqrlSu tl< isÿúh '
3 jk isjfia§" wkqrdOmqr k.rh flaka\fldg f.k ie;mqï 25 mrdih ;=< i;=ka ueÍu ;ykï
lr ;sìKs'
12 jk ishjfiaÈ fmdf<dkakrej k.rh flaka\fldg f.k ls'ó 35 mrdih ;=< i;=ka uerSu"
ud¿ nEu yd .ia lemSu ;ykï lr ;sìKs'
by; ksfhda. fol u.ska fmkshkqfha tu m%foaY j, c, ¥IKh"frda. jHdma;sh yd
wd.ñl mßirhg isÿjk ydksh j,lajd .ekSu isÿjq njhs'

ñyska;,dfõ we;s Ys,d ,sms u.ska fmkShkafka 4 jk ñysÿ rcqf.a ld,fha wkjir ±j
lemSfï jrog ovuqo,a kshu l< njhs'

ñyska;f,a lkafoys msysá ;,a"fmd,a"ishn,d iy ó hk Ydl j,ska lsisjl=;a lemSu

fyda bj;a lsÍu isÿ fkdl< hq;=h. fu kS;sh lv fkdl< hq;=h' fuu kS;sh lv
l<lsisjl=;a fõo Tyq Wmhd.;a ish¿ wdodhu mkai,g Èh hq;=h. fuho ñyska;,d
l=¿fkys msysá Ys,d ,sms j, 2 jk fiak rcqf.a ld,h .ek lsfhfjk fldgfia ,shù we;'
f;dard .;a Ydl lSmhla by; f,i wdrlaId lsÍfï wrïK jQfha fj<| mßfNdackhg wjYH oE
ksmo ùugh'

rdcOdkshla id¾:l ùfï m%Odku idOlh jkafka tys we;s c< l<ukdldÍ;Ajfhys we;s
id¾:l;ajhhs'
biqre uqKsh wjg m%foaYfha msysá l=Uqrej, wiajkq fk<sfuka miq ;sidjefõ
fidrõj kj Èkla h<s msÍug jid ;nkq ,efí bka miq b;sßjk c<h uq<skau mkai,g
uqod yßKQ ,nk w;r jeä mqr c,h u,aj;= Thg uqod yßkq ,efí'

21
iSiEug jeä mqr c,h Ndú;h lf<d;a ov kshuúsh. ;jo iSiEu ksjerÈ whqßka fkdl<
mqoa.,hl=g r;arka l<x 1 ov .ik w;r kshñ; ms<sj,g iSiEu isÿ fkdl, whg r;arka
l<x 5 ov ksuúh. wo ld<fha ixj¾ê; yd ÈhqKq rgj, mj;sk fndfyduhla kS;s fr.=,dis
wm rfÜ wdÈ ld,fha mej;s by; ksfhda. yd wd{djkag iudk fõ ' fndfyduhla
ÈhqKQ kùk ksfhda. yd wd{djka bmerKs rdcOdksj, mej;s kS;s Í;s j,ska wdo¾Y
f.k ;kd we;'

mßir l<ukdlrKa m%Yak

ñyska;,dfõ jg msgdj kd.ÍlrKh ùu yd ksid tys mßirh úkdY fjñka hhs

úiÿï
jeõ j,g wm ojH tlafkdjk mßÈ wmojH l<uKdlrK moaO;shla yd c,jyk moaO;shla
f.dv ke.’u'

wNh N+ñ m%foaYh ;=< we;s ffcj úúO;ajh wdrCId lsr’ug wjYH k’;s yd fr.=,dis
kej; we;slsr’u'

ñyska;,d ft;sydisl N+ñ m%foaYfha msysá wkjir bÈlsr’ï ish,a, bj;a lr tajdg
ksYaÑ; ia:dkhla ilid mqoìfuka tmsg ia:dmkh lsr’u'

fuu fmdf;ys l;Df.a úiajdih mßÈ ñyska;,d m%foaYhg jvd fyd`o mßir
l<uKdlrKhla isÿfkdl<fyd;a bosrs jir 15la 20la w;r ld<fhao’ ñyska;,h mßirh wêl
f,i úkdYù hdug bv we;'

iudc wd¾:’l ieleiau

±kg ñyska;,h m%foaYfha mj;sk iudc wd¾:’l ieleiau m%Odk iïm;a folla jgd
f.dvke.S we;' tys m%Odk yd uQ,slu wd¾:’l iñm; jkqfha ñyska;,d mkai,hs
ñyska;f,a jdkscuh ls%hdldrlï j,ska 60% muK muK jkaokd iufhka ,efí' fojk m
%Odk jeo.;au wd¾:’l iïm; rcrg úYaj úoHd,hhs thska 27% muK wdodhula
ñyska;,h ,nk w;r b;sß wdodhï m%udKh tkï 13% muK ,nd.kqfha ù j.dfjka yd
fjk;a l¾udka; u`.sks'

22
MIHINTHALE:

PART II

TECHNOLOGICAL STRUCTURE

23
Preface

The second part of the book is a personal explanation to technology hidden behind the
magnificent constructions build with the experience and knowledge gained from my travels to
some locations of early civilisations in Africa, Asia and Europe between 1979 and 2004. The
local details were collected between 2005 and 2015 by the author and author accepts full
responsibility for any omission or incorrect explanation.

24
Technology of Environmental Management through Harvesting

Geology: N+úoHdj

Figure 1 Figure 2
The Banded Gneiss from where springs Use of strike fracture to cut
originate were utilize to feed rock cut wells
ponds

25
Figure 1 is of a spring originating from a crack in the rock strata

Figure 2 shows the use of strike ( direction of the rock formation) fractures to
create wells in the rock. The well is 1.4 meters deep and within the well a cave is cut for a
distance of about 2.5 meters. Today it is used for bathing and washing by about 50 people.
Before the establishment of the water supply system in the area people have used this as a
drinking well.

jHQyd;aul N+ úoHdj fhdod.;a ieá fmkaùu

rEmh 1 N+úoHdj iy c, W,am;a - ;Sreuh khsia mdIdKh fl<jr ks¾udKh jk

W,am;a

rEmh 2 mdIdKfha osYdkq.; msysáu Tiafia hk ì|Sï fidhd <sx iErSu' fuu <s| ógr
1'4 muK .eUqre jk w;r ì|Su Tiafia ;ekQ .=ydj ;j;a ógr 3la muK os.= fõ' fuu <sf|
ys c,h fkdisf|a' ^wjuh fi'ó' 30-40& th wjg fjfik 50 fofkl= muK osh kEug Ndú;d
lrhs' c, k< myiqlus ,nd oSug fmr fuh mdkSh c,h ,nd.;a ;ekla úh'

Climate

Figure 3 - Cumulo -Nimbus clouds over

Figure 4- Medium level Stratus and lower level
Mahakanadarawa Weva signs of Cumulus clouds during the North East Monsoons
first rains in October Inter- Monsoon in Late November

foaY.=Kh

rEmh 3 uylkordj jejg Wâka ksudKh jk leá jeys j,dl=¿ udia jeisj, wdrusNfha
m<uqjk i,l=K fjhs'

Vegetation

26
 1 2
[

1.Ancient - Parkland vegetation which is the virgin 2.Modern - Natural forest in the
background and vegetation complex of dry zone Teak Plantation in the
foreground

1 w;S; rdcOdks iuh - WoHdkuh o¾Ykh iys; jDCI,;d ixls¾Kh ñyska;,h wjg w;S;
rdcOdks ld,fha mej;s jDCI,;doshhs'

2 j¾;udkfha olakd ,efnk f;alal j.djla iy thg msgqmiska we;s iajNdúl wdrCIs;
jkdka;rh'

Holistic Design System

C
B

27
Figure A – Macro landscape design - The three step Mihinthala hill, ( A, B and C) which
facilitated the design of various utilities to make Mihinthala Sacred area
Step – A = Lower step for pilgrim’s services
Step – B = middle step for temple residences
Step – C = upper step for Dagoba and Aradhana gala

ñyska;,d lkafoa msysàu wkqj olakg ,efnk uÜgï 3 ^ A B iy C &' fuu uÜgï 3
ñyska;,h mqoìu f,dj ta .Kfha úfYaI tallhla ùug fya;= úh'

A uÜgu - jkaokd lrejkaf.a fiajd i|yd

B uÜgu - mkai, i|yd
C uÜgu - od.en iy wdrdOkd.,

Water Resource Management and Harvesting Systems

Figure B Figure C
Figure B and C – purposely cut drains (D) to direct flow to a collection point (at the bottom of
the rock). The level of the bottom of this rock out crop is parallel to the level of some ruins in
proximity (collected water was supplied to those ruins?) Water was guided by the cut edges (E)
and the shallow round holes (H) cut into the rock surface indicate that there was a cover over
the water flow (prevent evaporation?) or a construction to prevent water dispersal on the rock
surface and direct to the closest weva or lamps in the night use .

28
rEmh B iy C hï ksYaÑ; ia:dkhlg c,h fhduq lsrSug mdIdK l=Üáh ;=<g lmd we;s
ldKq fuu mdIdK l=Üáfha mdohg iudka;rj kgUqka olakg ,efnhs ^tajdg wjYH
c,h /ialsrSug fï ldKq lemqjdo@& c,h fhduq lsrSu i|yd lemQ mdIdKfha fl<jr
.eÜg - E iy fkd.eUqre rjqï j,j,a – H, jdIamSlrKh wju lsrSug fh¥ ;djld,sl wdjrKhla
i|yd fyda c,h mdIdK l=Üáh mqrd úisrS hEu je<elaùug fhdod.;a l%ufõohlg
wh;a nj lsj yelsh'

Figure C Figure D
Figures C and D – constructions are similar to A and B with shallow drains

rEmh C and D, rEmh A iy B j,g iudk ld¾hhlg fhdod.;a nj fmfk'a rEm A iy B j,g
jvd l=vd mrsudKfhka ;ekqfõ tajdg ,efnk c, m%udKh ^fmdaIl m%foaYh& A iy
B j,g jvd wvq ksidh

Figure E Figure F
Figure E and F – rock cut ponds E is a well cut and designed pond on the firm granulite ( within
the major series Wanni Gneiss) surface. F was constructed on the edge in a partially weathered
rock surface and the side has collapsed due to exfoliation.

29
rEmh E / F fmdl=Kq ógr 5l Wmrsu os.la" ógr 1'6 l muK m<,la iy ógr 1'3l
.eUqrla olajhs' fuys b;d mrsCIdldrSj iy Wiia f,i .%ekhsÜ mdIdKh ;=< idod we;'
.%ekq,qhsÜ mdIdKh fï m%foaYfha we;s m%Odk mdIdK ldKavh jk
jkakskhsia ;=< msysá mdIdK ldKavhls'

F fmdl=K w¾O f,i cS¾Kh jQ mdIdK wdY%s;j ;ekqks' ta fya;=fjka jHia:rKhg

,lajQ tys tla nEjqula ì|S f.diah' fï fmdl=Kqj,ska W;=rd hk c,h B iy C ldKq foig
fhduqlr we;'

Figure G – The rock surface in the center of the picture is structured ( grounded and smoothened
- S) to assist gentle flow and the round hole (H) at the top of the rock surface is similar to one in
Figure B.

c,h iquqÿ f,i .,d hEu i|yd fuys we;s mdIdK l=Üáfha uOH fldgi - S " jHQy.; lr we;'
^fldgd iquqÿ lr we;& H wdYQs;j we;s rjqï j, B iy A rEmhkays we;s j,j,g iudkh'

Site selection and Design

Temple

No site equals this arrangement (size. location and arrangement of space) in Sri Lanka. At the
top is the look out post of Aradhanagala, from where assistant (samanera) of the Arahat
Mahinda, called all the deities to attend the 1 st sermon at Mihinthale). Immediately below is the

30
area for Sangha. Though not in the photo main dagoba (maha seya) is to the right, above the
dagoba seen here and below the level of Aradhanagala.

Perfect angularity in construction is the basis of strength and durability

ks¾udKfha ienEfldaKsl nj ^m%udKh" msysàu iy wjldYh ms<sfh, lsrSu&

Yla;sh iy l,a meje;au fmkajhs'

Weva and dagoba Waste brought by streams entering weva

jej iy od.en wo wmøjH iy wm c,h jejg tl;=ùu

Pilgrims: jkaokdlrefjda

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Pilgrims – Day scene oyj, o¾Ykh Pilgrims - Night scene rd;%S o¾Ykh

Explanations on Designs and Constructions

Mihinthale steps reveal the highest level of technology in the site selection, step system
design controlling the effect of erosion and guidance and support system in nature-
human interaction. The environment of the ancient kingdom was one of the best
managed environments in the history of the world where, scientific management of
nature and human was achieved. In comparison to present time the environmental
management was much advanced in the ancient kingdom. The following explanations
are presented on the theory of Harrower (2008).

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Mihinthale steps (Lower Sector)
Scientific quantifications
1. Side wall to prevent erosion from water spilling over the steps.
2. Wide step base is to slow the water flow.
3. Retaining the rock outcrop at the left top side of the steps to conserve aesthetic
value.

Humanistic interpretation
1. Wide steps to facilitate the elderly and children to have an easy climb
2. Narrowing of the steps is to guide the pilgrims to the narrowing of the route as they
climb to the next stage which has narrow set of steps
3. Wide side wall for the elderly to rest or light lamps

33
 A

Leveled area between lower steps and middle level steps.

Scientific quantifications
1. The retaining walls are kept to prevent water overflow and the water of the upper
set of steps are guided out of the step set at point A by a drain with gentle sides.
Water was sent to the natural stream which flows down the slope. However, the
stream was engineered to flow gently along the contour (Figure 3).

Humanistic interpretation
1. Total design was kept to allow the user to rest after a steep climb, with a gentle
walk. The point A provided a place to cool feet as the pilgrims walk over.

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Engineered stream, which is forced to flow around the rock out crop in a gentle channel

Micro Weva or Large Pond – between the lower steps and middle level steps, located
away from the steps area and at the back of the temple area

Scientific quantifications

35
 Water supply to the arhats and sanga and a storage reservoir for the rest area (Dhana
Salawa), located at the best available location on the hill. Water from most of the
upper step area was guided into this pond. With about 300 to 400 millimeters of
more rain than today at the time of Anuradhapura kingdom and preservation of
springs would have resulted in a permanent pond.

Humanistic interpretation
The collection of water from the high hill into this storage facility provided water
for the whole lower part (temple and visitors).

A short walk along the steps reveals the theoretical and practical capacity of design and
hydraulic engineering practices which we are yet to consider in our present
constructions.

Exact locations of some of these locatins and detailed photography are available on
request to researchers as not to reveal them to vandals.

Appendix 1

Mihinthale weva (Bulankulama weva) and its surroundings

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Mihinthale weva – Ancient to present

Base map 1:50000 Survey Department of Sri Lanka

Black line – original bund of weva
Light green line – Catchment of Mihinthale weva (Bulankulama weva)
Yellow line and red arrow- maximum area under water during ancient times
Blue line and white arrow – maximum area under water now (after lowering the sluice first by
British and and later by the rulers of independent Sri Lanka
Orange line – ancient road to Ruhunu

Site of main village during ancient times

There were no buildings during ancient time at the upper reach and below the bund. But now
the upper catchment is covered with two major highways, about 6 kilometers of sub-roads,
about 20 housing units, a university site, pradeshiya sabha headquarter, tourist hotel and a rest,
government quarters, guest houses etc (Upper reach – thawulla and below bund – katta kaduwa
are buried by buildings and roads). Below the bund is also used heavily by government

37
buildings, housing units and hotels. Though there is a preservation scheme, Mihinthale town
continues to encroach into weva and its catchment.

Red arrow shows the upper boundary of Mihinthale weva at the time of construction, as the
upper end of the tank bund is seen here. White arrow shows the upper limit of present day weva

A cross section of the weva bed at the middle of the weva taken during the low water indicate
that the weva is filled with gravel of recent origin

Encroachment on Mihinthale weva and its catchment (Bulankulama) between 1900 and
2017

38
About 80 percent of the thawulla ( wetland) and kattakaduwa (seepage reserve) is
encroached by public authorities, with the construction of many public buildings. The
rest is encroached by housing units with the permission from public authorities (area
within the Anuradhapura preservation Scheme Boundary).
Then the public policy is clear. They have no intention of preserving the weva which
was built alongside the most sacred site of Buddhism. They have no concern for the
farmers living on the fields cultivated with the water from weva (anyhow, as the weva
cannot provide sufficient water for farming, only in a wet farming season they rely on
an income from farming). Because of this uncertainty, almost all the farmers have
obtained other types of employment. Many have left farming and work in the trade
associated with pilgrims and supply services to the university.
As one farmer said in November 2018. “ we can cultivate this season, but as the tank
cannot stroe sufficient water, we can expect a good harvest only if the January rains are
sufficient”. This is the case of all small and medium sized weva in Sri Lanka today.
Farming, is becoming a highly risky enterprise and yout are leaving farming unless they
are supported by family or investors with capacity to construct large wells and pump
water.

DAMAGING CONCEPTS
• BULDOZING WEVA CONTINUES IN THE DRY ZONE

39
 • A GROUP OF MIDDLE CLASS HIGHLY POLITICISED LOCAL
INTELLIGENCIA SAYS WEV SHOULD NOT BE CLEANED, RE
ENGINEERED OR CHANGED, IS DIRECTING POLITCAL AUTHORITY

• FARMERS INDICATE THAT POLITICAL AUTHORITY AND ENGINEERS

ARE MORE INTERESTED IN MASSIVE WATER DIVERSION SCHEMES,
WHICH GIVE THEM LARGE COMMISSIONS

• THE 2015-2018 DROUGHT INDICATE THAT EVEN MASSIVE WATER

DIVERSION SCHEMES CANNOT PROVIDE REQUIRED AMOUNTS OF
WATER TO THE DRY ZONE IN A DROUGHT LASTING MORE THAN
ONE SEASON

• THE LOCAL INTELLIGENCIA, POLITICAL AUTHORITY AND THE

ENGINEERS HAVE ALLOWED THE WEV TO BE SLOWLY FILLED

REALITY
• THE RAINS IN OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2018, AFTER A 3 YEAR DROUGHT
INDICATED THAT ONLY AFTER ABOUT 600 MILLIMETERS OF RAIN WEV
BEGAN OVERFLOWING.

• IN REALITY AS PLANNED BY ANCIENT ENGINEERS WEV SHOULD OVERFLOW

ONLY AFTER ABOUT 1000 MILLIMETERS OF RAIN

• QUICK OVERFLOW IS A RESULT OF SEDIMENTATION, DESTRUCTION OF

THAWULLA (WHICH LEADS TO RAPID FLOW) AND PONDS IN THE UPPER
CATCHMENT (WHICH STORE WATER AND RELEASE SLOWLY)

• PEOPLE HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OTHER THAN INDICATING “THOUGH THE

WEV OVERFLOWS THERE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH WATER EVEN TO
COMPLETE THIS SEASON IF JANUARY RAINS FAIL, BECAUSE THE WEV IS
FILLED WITH MUD”.

• THE POLITICAL AUTHORITY HAS NO DESIRE TO LISTEN (ENGINEERS ARE

HELPLESS)

• THE PLAN SHOULD BE TO FOLLOW ANCIENT “ RAJARATA SYSTEM” AND

HAND OVER WEVA TO VILLAGE OR THE FARMING COMMUNITY OF THE
AREA” UNDER GUIDANCE FROM THE SPECIALIST WEV ADMINISTRATION
UNDER THE PRESIDENT

VISIT TO 14 WEV AREAS SHOW THAT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE IS FILLING
AND ENCRAOCHING WEVA (THAWULLA AND CACTHMENT). ALL ENCRAOCHERS
WERE ELITE (POLITICAL OR SOCIAL) AND GOVERNEMENT DEPARTMENTS AND
INDIVIDUALS WITH POLITICAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Appendix 2

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Springs

Springs in the upper catchment of RUSL quarters stream which flows finally to
Puwarasankulam weva. These springs emerge after an average of 200 millimeters in the rainy
season between October and December and stay active for an average of 10 to 20 days a year

41
Ponds

The micro ponds cut into rock cracks. This rock out crop has ruins of an ancient naga temple.

The rock out crop where there are ruins of a naga temple, a big pond is located at the foot of the
hill. This pond retains clear water for an average of 6 months after the North east monsoon rain
ends (2005-2013). Then it’s water becomes murky and dirty, but herdsmen use it as a watering
point for animals. It has a maximum depth of 1.3 meters (2012 January). Life history records

42
indicate that this pond was a major pond used for bathing before NWSDB began operations in
the area.

This is a permanent pond at the bottom of the rock where the ancient naga temple was located.
Its deep and stay clear all year around. Life history records indicate that it has a folk lore linked
to King Pandukabhaya. People used it as a place to collect drinking water before the
establishment of NWSDB in the area.

The round holes dug into the rock out crop along the rocky ridge from the top to bottom and
around ponds and stone cut large drains. These round holes are about 10 to 15 centimeters deep
and have a diameter of about 25 to 35 centimeters. These may have been used to light lamps in
the night for easy passage to ponds and drains

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Appendix 3

Seasons and Streamflow

Dry season forest floor wet season forest floor

Stream flow

The RUSL quarters stream (the stream which originates in the rock out crops locally known as
Yakdessagala and Suwaddagala and flows through the RUSL quaters) originate from the base of
rock out crops or depressions in the forest or shrub forest. The following photographs were

44
taken season after a total of 200mm have occurred (in a 12 day period) and after a day of 91mm
storm

Flow originating in a crack of the rock outcrop

Flow originating from a pond at the base of a rock outcrop

45
 1

A permanent pond at the base of a large rock out crop, which overflows slowly
from the point 1

The two major springs of the stream during the wet season (depression in the
shrub forest)

1
The origin of the left bank branch of the RUSL quarters stream (1) from the base of
rock out crop. The area around the stream is excavated for clay. The confluence of left
bank and right bank branches (2) at low flow (about 4 days after end of a 91millimeter
storm).

46
 Stream in the natural shrub forest

Flow 40mm flow 60mm flow 64mm

Flow 80mm flow 91mm flood 91mm

Stream flow in RUSL quarters stream – in the rainy season after a total of 200mm have
occurred (in a 12 day period) and after a 91mm storm, which reached flood level at the RUSL

47
quarters area (on the banks of the stream) . The stream in record is ephemeral in nature and flow
an average of 20 days each rainy season (2005 July to 2013 May). It is not marked on 1:50,000
topographic sheet, but becomes a 5th order stream at flood level flow.
Recorded at the Staff Quarters, RUSL – in a stream flowing to Puwarasankulam weva

Flow height and total rainfall between 1204 hours October 24 th 2010 and 2100 hours
October 28th. Recorded at the Staff Quarters, RUSL – in a stream flowing to
Puwarasankulam weva

Kachchan

The time with dry winds (originating from the South West Monsoon clouds which becomes dry
after providing rain to the south west of Sri Lanka and drift as dry clouds over the North Central
and Northern plains of Sri Lanka) – Kachchan period

Movement of material during kachchan wind ( which can reach maximum velocities of
70km/hr. however the average maximumstays around 25 to 30 kilometers (July and August) for
durations up to 6 hours or more. Observe the test floater (pointed by red arrow) move within 3
minutes along the ground starting from spot marked .

48
Cloud pattern during the latter part of Kachchan (end August). The alto cumulus of the
Equatorial Easterlies at an altitude above 3000 meters and the dry blocks of medium sized
cumulus pushed by dry winds blowing from South West. This medium sized cumulus (shown
with black arrow) moved at a velocity of about 20km/hr

Appendix 4

Aesthetics observed and witnessed at Mihinthale

December and January are cool months at Mihinthale, with mist in the morning.
Based on data collected between 2005 and 2015 occurrence of mist has a
probability of about 40 percent. Thick mist begins around 600 hours and
dissipates by 800 hours

49
 A clear morning at 700 hours A misty morning at 700 hours
Thickest mist can reduce visibility to about 200 meters (the above photos were
taken from the room in the official quarters of the RUSL

Lightning strikes

Beautiful but extremely powerful lightning strikes can be witnessed and photographed at
Mihinthale between March and April and October and November. (Recorded by an auto
camcorder and separation was done by the author).

50
Massive Line squall (1) from North massive cumulo-nimbus (2) (anvil)
Line squalls (lines of massive cumulus clouds) and lone massive cumulus clouds can be
observed in April and October at Mihinthale. Line squall (1) in the photograph produced 80
millimeters of rainfall and the massive cumulo-nimbus produced 71 millimeters of rainfall.
These are known as “kuda wev fillers” (which lead to fill small tanks).

Cauliflower Cumul-Nimbus lighted by setting sun

Cloud aesthetics

51
Alto-cumulus, Cirro-cumulus and combinations of both cloud types can be seen in the sky
during the dry season July and August

52
The arc lightning is common during the thunderstorm seasons (March-April and October-
November). Author was able to capture the above strike using a movie camera kept on outside
corridor and staying safely inside the room. Most probably the camera attracted the lightning
strike which landed about 1 meter from the camera and 0.5 meters from the pavement of the
building (enlarge this photo to see nodes of electrons )

February 2009 – after heavy monsoon, Mihinthale weva is full and ridge is covered in Mist

53
During the time I stayed at RUSL quarters a peacock became friendly and came for his
snacks of bread and biscuits

Having the snack –bread

54
It gave me this rare spectacle one day

A shy visitor

55
Waiting to steal my food packet (this monkey had the habit of stealing my packet of
food (breakfast or lunch) by creeping through the window grill of my office room.

The squirrel which built a nest on the window ledge outside my bathroom window

56
Stone bridge

Under the stone beam bridge

57
 Angularity of the construction

Single beam pedestrian bridge

References

58
Harrower, M. (2008) Archaeologists Trace Early Irrigation Farming In Ancient Yemen.
ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080716140918.htm

Lagamuwa, A. (2009) Inscriptions of Mihinthale, IRQUE/QUEF, Rajarata University of Sri

Lanka, Mihinthale

Seneviratne, H.M.M.B. (2005) Climatic Change and Development, PED Foundation,

Anuradhapura, ISBN 955-98808-0-2

Seneviratne, H.M.M.B. (2006) Living Planet, ISBN 955-98808-2-9 (Internet - Banda

Seneviratne in scribd.com)

Seneviratne, H.M.M.B. (2007) Principles of Environmental Management, Mathale, ISBN -978-

98808-3-7, (Internet - Banda Seneviratne in scribd.com)

Seneviratne, H.M.M.B. (2010) Disaster Management, Mathale. ISBN -978-98808-5-1,

( Internet - Banda Seneviratne in scribd.com)

Seneviratne, H.M.M.B. and Wijelatha, K.H.I. (2011) Environment and Health, in Sinhala, ISBN
978-955-52362-4-9

59
Over the last 2500 years Mihinthale has remained the most revered place in the history
of buddhism in Sri Lanka. However, its unique environment is the best example of
innovative thinking and design capability of the Ancient Rajarata kingdom.

ISBN 978-955-52362-8-7

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