Prof Dr. Nuwan Abeywardana: The Tank Systems of of Sri Lanka

The dry-zone water-harvesting and management system in Sri Lanka is one of the oldest
historically recorded systems in the world. A substantial number of ancient sources mention the management and governance structure of this system suggesting it was initiated in the 4th century BCE and abandoned in the middle of the 13th century CE. In the 19th century CE, it was reused under the British colonial government. Over the centuries,large-scale irrigation works were important to expand and develop the Dry Zone hydraulic civilization throughout the northern lowland plains and to enhance the livelihoods of the people by ensuring water availability throughout the year. After
nearly five centuries of abandonment, the water management and governance systems in the Rajarata kingdom were reutilized under the British colonial regime.