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| Thursday, 25 March 2004 |
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Tiny trickle from the Sri Pada range that becomes Mahaweli by Andrew Scott It was on January 8th 1976 that the former Prime Minister, Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, ceremonially released the Polgolla waters to enrich our soil and at the same time giving a new lease of life to the legend drenched village of Polgolla in the outskirts of Kandy, which has now turned to be a place of tourist attraction. In this context it is timely that, at least occasionally, we reflect on the unique story of the Mahaweli ganga which has been and still continues to be an important component of Sri Lanka's cultural, historical and sociological heritage from time immemorial. Starting as a tiny trickle from the Sri Pada range, Sri Lanka's longest river, Mahaweli flows through a major part of the hill country and disgorges its murky waters at Trincomalee. This 206 mile long river has many folk tales and legends woven around it and it forms an intrinsic part of our national culture. From the dim past the Mahaweli ganga has contributed its share to enrich the history and culture of this country whose people lead an agrarian life from time immemorial. Specially in the modern times this river forms an important component in the national economy and in the lives fo thousands of farmers spread throughout the country. The Mahaweli flows endlessly through towns and villages sustaining the people in them and throughout the centuries blood, tears and the laughter of patriots, lovers and warriors have mingled with its waters and buried beneath the waters of this majestic river is the heritage of the entire nation. From the time of the early Sinhala monarchs the Mahaweli has featured prominently in many legends well known throughout the country and during the turbulent times fo the nation's history the Mahaweli was the protector of the sacred Tooth Relic. It still holds the secrets of many a monarch. This queen of rivers is woven into Sri Lanka's history and religion and its appeal to the Sri Lankans is as emotional as Tiber to the Euorpeans, Thames to the British and the Rhine to the Germans. Its waters have nourished many a national hero and war drums have reverberated at various points on its banks. Poets, travellers and historians have marvelled at its sights and it has provided much inspiration to nature lovers and writers (I too have been greatly inspired and reawakened by this mighty river girdling Kandy) who have always found solace and contentment in its limpid waters. Joined by various mountain streams it meanders its weary way to Hatton across picturesque mountainous country terrain interspersed with rare flowers of indescribable loveliness and plants of various sizes and shapes. It continues its more disciplined life from Kotmale Oya, its biggest tributary. Passing through wonderful tea gardens it reaches Gampola which was once the coveted capital of the Sinhala kings. Mahaweli's contribution to the culdure of this land begins here. Gampola's quiet population depends heavily on the water of Mahaweli, specially during times fo droughts, for bathing, drinking and farming purposes. Even though the river flows quietly through Gampola at one time it overflowed its banks occasionally and brought grim tragedy to this sleepy town. The historic mission of the Mahaweli really begins when it reaches the gateway to the legend drenched city of Kandy and throughout the centuries it has fertilized particularly the lands in and around Kandy and provided water to both man and beast alike. The Mahaweli has always given much security to the kings of Kandy and helped them to maintain it as a sovereign kingdom long after the conquest of other parts of the country. From the historic past this river has also been associated with the religious life of the community and to this date the water cutting ceremony of the Kandy Esala Perahera is held in the Mahaweli ganga at Gatambe, another landmark steeped in Kandyan history and lore. Close to Getambe is the site of the Gannoruwa battlefield where the Sinhala soldiers completely annihilated their Portuguese opponents on the banks of the Mahaweli. Eventhough till recently Halloluwa, the village on the left bank of Mahaweli, was not very much frequented, today this sleepy village has turned out to be a busy little town. At Halloluwa the river disappears round bends and the curved banks are lined with well grown bamboo clumps which add to the scenic grandeur of the riverside. When the river is in its calm moods people living close to the river bathe, bask and wash themselves to their hearts' content in its cooling waters. The Mahaweli is seen at its best when it flows gently through the Dumbara valley where the now famous Polgolla dam is sited. The river at this end is a picture of grace and tranquillity and the major source of water for thousands of people living in Polgolla and adjacent areas is this river. Day by day the Mahaweli river is fast gaining ground as a tourist attraction and before long it will become one of the most popular places of tourist attraction. At Teldeniya, the centre of the Victoria project, man and machines have tamed this mighty river which has made this area an important centre of commerce and agriculture. At Teldeniya the Mahaweli flows with a mighty force resulting with the great Victoria Fall, the only notable waterfall in Mahaweli's 206 mile long trek through hill and dale. Past Teldeniya it reaches Minipe, a landmark rich with historical associations and gradually it flows into Rajarata, where the tamed waters of the Mahaweli nourish the farmers and their expansive fields. But this river flows on quite unmindful of its great service to Sri Lanka and we could describe Mahaweli as the Saviour of the Nation. |
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