Water Technology in Ancient Sri Lanka

• Water technology involves constructions related to water, such as dams, tanks, canals, and ponds, as well as the technology used in these constructions.

Village Tanks

• Village tanks were built by villagers under the leadership of the village head.

Constructions by Kings

• King Pandukabhaya constructed three tanks: Abhaya Vapi (modern Basawakkulama), Gamini Vapi, and Jaya Vapi.
• King Vasabha initiated large-scale tank construction, building 11 tanks, including Mahanikkaveti (Maanankattiya) and Mayeth Wewa (Mahavilachchiya).
• King Vasabha constructed 12 canals, including Aalisara (Elahera Ela), which dammed Amban Ganga to carry water to the northern part of the country.
• King Mahasen constructed 1000 tanks, including Maniheera Wewa (Minneriya Wewa), Jallura Vapi (Hurulu Wewa), and Khanu Vapi (Mahakanadara Wewa).
• King Mahasen also built Thilawaththuka (Thalwathu Ela).
• King Dhathusena constructed 18 tanks, including Kala Wewa and Mahadattha Vapi (Maadathugama).
• King Dhathusena constructed the Jaya Ganga (Yodha Ela) canal to carry water from Kala Wewa to Tissa Wewa.

Key Features of Tanks

• Sluices were constructed to release excess water from a dam and have two parts: an upper and a lower sluice.
• Bisokotuwa were constructed to regulate water release from the tank.
• Breakwaters protect dams from being washed away.
• Inner spills collect water, while outer spills release excess water.

Canal Requirements

• Canals carry water from tanks and anticuts to farmlands.
• Canals carry water from one tank to another.
• Canals carry water from an anticut to a tank or tank system.

Water Gardens

• Water gardens should be designed to suit the natural environment.
• They should have a well-planned road system.
• They should be beautified with ponds and fountains.
• They should create an environment with plants and trees.
• They should be properly maintained.
• King Mutaseeva constructed "Maha Megha Wana," later known as "Mahamewna Garden."
• King Devanampiyatissa offered the Maha Megha Wana and Jothi Garden (Nandana Uyana) to Ananada Thero.
• King Kutakanatissa constructed a water garden named “Padmasvara”.
• Kings Vasabha, Kashypa, Agabodhi I, Parakramabahu, and Gotabhaya constructed water gardens.

Ranmasu Uyana

• Ranmasu Uyana is a park containing the ancient Magul Uyana (Royal Gardens).
• It is near Isurumuni Vihara and Tissa Wewa in Anuradhapura.
• It covers approximately 16 hectares.
• Water to the park was supplied by Tissa Wewa and released to rice fields around Isurumuni Vihara.
• The park contains ponds and remains of small buildings.
• Legend says Prince Saliya met Asokamala in this garden.

Requirements for Constructing Ponds

• Ponds should be constructed to store water (e.g., Eth Pokuna, Ranmasu Uyana).
• Ponds should be constructed for proper water removal (e.g., Ponds in Abhayagiriya).
• Ponds should be constructed to enhance beauty (e.g., Nelum Pokuna in Anuradhapura).
• Ponds built to cool the environment (e.g., Ponds in Abhayagiriya, Twin Ponds of Anuradhapura).

Clay Technology

• Clay technology includes making clay pots, bricks, and roofing tiles.

Clay Industry

• The clay industry was the first manual industry in Sri Lanka.
• The invention of the potter's wheel (Sakaporuwa) significantly advanced the industry.

Making Bricks

• Brick making started in the 3rd century B.C.
• Bricks were used in constructions like Abhayagiri Dagaba, Jethawanaramaya Dagaba, Demala Maha Seya by King Parakramabahu, and King Parakramabahu’s palace.
• People involved in the brick and roofing tile industry were called "Ulu Waduwa."

Metals in Ancient Times

• Metals used in ancient times included gold, copper, tin, silver, and bronze.
• Blacksmiths were called Kabara, tinkers were called Thopasha, goldsmiths were called Swarnakara/Thuladhara, and coppersmiths were called Thambakara.
• Excavations in Abhayagiriya uncovered gold pieces, coins, rings, earrings, anklets, and necklaces.
• Iron furnaces were used to smelt iron and can be found in Samanala Wewa in Balangoda and Alakolawewa in Dehigahaelakanda in Sigiriya.

Architectural Creations

• Architectural creations are divided into religious and non-religious buildings.

Religious Buildings

• Religious buildings include dagabas, chetiyagaras, bodhigaras, image houses, temples, monasteries, alm houses, and devalas.

Non-Religious Buildings

• Non-religious buildings include hospitals, palaces, fortresses, toilets, and houses.
• King Parakaramabahu built the Demala Maha Seya, Polonnaruwa Kiri Vehera, Yudanganawa Dagaba, and Dedigama Kotavehera.

Parts of a Dagaba

• The parts of a dagaba in order are the base (Paadama), basal rings (Pesa walalu), relics chamber (Garbhaya), cylindrical dome (Devatha Kotuwa), conical sphere (Koth Keralla), and pinnacle (Kotha).
• Vahalkadas were added to stupas in the four cardinal directions to enhance their aesthetic value.

Watadageya or Chethiyagara

• Watadageyas or Chethiyagaras are chambers built to protect small dagabas.
• Examples include Medirigiriya Watadageya, Ambasthala Watadageya, Thiriyaya Watagadeya, and Thuparama Watadageya.

Bodhigara

• A Bodhigara is a small house built around the bo tree for its protection.
• Examples include Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Bodhigara and Nillakagama Bodhigara.

Image Houses

• Image houses were built to protect images from sun, rain, and people.
• There are three traditions of building image houses: Gandhakuti, Gedige, and Cave Temple.

Gandhakuti

• In Gandhakuti image houses, viewers can get a clear view of the image from the pavilion.
• Examples include Kiribath Vehera, Vijayarama, and Pankuliya.

Gedige

• Gedige image houses have walls and roofs made of stone and bricks.
• Examples include Thivanka, Lankathilake, and Thuparama in Polonaruwa.

Cave Temple

• Cave temples feature the main image in a reclining posture.
• Examples include Piduragala, Habessa, and Bamabaragasthalawa.
• Natural caves used as monasteries include Wessagiriya, Ritigala, Rajagala, Sigiriya, and Mihintale.

Palaces

• Palaces constructed within the period include Sigiriya, Vijayaba Palace by King Vijayabahu I, and Vaijayantha Prasadaya by King Parakramabahu the Great.

Hospitals

• Ancient ruins of hospitals were discovered in Alahana Pirivena, Medirigirya, and Mihinthale.

Toilets

• Toilets and urinals were constructed in an eco-friendly way.
• Clay pots were stacked to filter wastewater.

Artistic Creations

• Artistic creations are divided into statues, sculptures and carvings, and paintings.

Statues

• Statues are divided into statues of Buddha, statues of Bodhisattva, and statues of royalty.

Standing Posture Buddha Statues

• Standing posture Buddha statues can be seen in Aukana statue, Gal Viharaya, and Resvehera Maligawila.

Sitting Posture

• Most sitting posture statues are in Dhyana mudra in Weerasana.
• Examples include Samadhi Buddha statue and Gal Vihara, Tholuwila.

Reclining Posture

• Reclining posture statues can be seen at Gal Vihara.

Statues of Bodhisattva

• Statues of Bodhisattva can be found in Weligama, Yatalavehera, and Dambegoda.

Statues of Royalty

• Statues of Royalty are statues of King Dutugemunu, Bathikabhaya and King Parakramabahu I.

Staircase Parts

• Parts of a staircase include sandakadapaha, piyageta, korawakgala, and guard stones.

Paintings

• Paintings in Anuradhapura can be found at Sithulpawwa, Hindagala, Sigiriya, and Wessagiriya.
• Paintings in Polonnaruwa can be found at Maraveediya and Gal Vihara.
• The frescoes in Sigiriya were painted with red, yellow, bay, and blue.