Parakrama Samudra

engineering. Built by King Parakramabahu the Great in the 12th century, this massive body of

water was created by connecting three older reservoirs via a system of embankments and

channels, following the king’s famous decree that "not a single drop of water falling from the

sky should flow into the ocean without serving the development of mankind."

The reservoir spans a vast area of over 5,300 acres, so massive that its flowing waters produce

active waves like the ocean, making it difficult to see the opposite shoreline on misty days. The

reservoir is anchored by a massive earthen dam that stretches for miles along the edge of the

city.

Today, the Parakrama Samudra remains a vital life source for the region, channeling water to

thousands of acres of surrounding rice paddies and providing a home to diverse wildlife,

including large flocks of pelicans, cormorants, and water monitor lizards. A broad road runs

along the top of the embankment wall, providing a popular scenic route for an evening stroll or

bicycle ride. The sunset over the water is spectacular, as the sun sinks below the distant

mountains, painting the lake in warm shades of gold and orange, offering a peaceful conclusion

to an exploration of Polonnaruwa.