The conservation of the environment comprising its fauna and flora, becomes a vital necessity for its preservation of the ecology when a reservoir is constructed as a result of damming a river or Oya. Hence the concept of the creation of a national park came in the wake of damming the Kirindi Oya which resulted in the construction of the Lunugamvehera Reservoir in 1985/86 and the Weheragala reservoir damming the Menik Ganga in Yala Block V in 2009.
The drive along the Kataragama-Buttala road is a wild one where nature’s inhabitants reign. The main road bisects the wilderness, thus Yala Block III is on the side of the park office and on the other side of the road Yala Block IV and V, where the entrance is with boards indicating, the Yala National Park, Lunugamvehera as well as Weheragala reservoirs.
Walking through this vast ancient kingdom, one would be walking through the shadows of history of the warrior prince Dutugemunu. Every inch of this ground is filled with echoes of historical episodes of Prince Gemunu. He, with his gallant, but victorious army marched to Anuradhapura to fight King Elara in battle through this historical path of Ruhunu Rata. Every household from child to elder is knowledgeable of the exploits and historical tales spun around this chivalrous prince Genumu.
Long-cherished dream
The sluice gates of the Weheragala dam. Drive over the dam to reach the Lunugamvehera National Park
I had a long-cherished dream of visiting the Weheragala reservoir since it was opened in 2009 as espying the skeletons of dead trees emerging from the depth of the waters of the reservoir is a dream for a nature photographer. I couldn’t fulfil my dream although I travelled to Kataragama in the past. But in July this year, on my journey to Kataragama, I had an opportunity to detour to the Weheragala reservoir in one late morning.
We decided to venture into Yala Block IV and V, where the entrance was installed with boards indicating, the Yala National Park, Lunugamvehera as well as Weheragala reservoirs. After we bought tickets from Gal-Ge entrance, we entered through the gate and drove along the gravel paths bouncing as the vehicle went over rocks and pot holes.
After we drove around 4 kilometres, we stumbled upon a stone plaque indicating the Weheragala reservoir. We entered the two kilometres long dam and drove further enjoying the waters with the skeletons of dead trees on the right side until we saw the sluice gates of the Weheragala reservoir.
Archaeological artefacts near the reservoir
The waters of the Weheragala reservoir provided the ideal aquatic environment. The reservoir itself was beautiful with dried up trees emerging from its depths. The Weheragala reservoir, depicted in the 5,000 Sri Lankan Rupees note, was completed in 2009 by building a dam across the Menik Ganga.
Spot for wildlife photographers
The reservoir in Yala Block V is an amazing location for wildlife photographers, especially bird photographers. Bird life is plenty. The eagles have built massive nests on the dried-up trees in the reservoir.
The views over the waters are stunning. Safari jeeps which enter from the Gal-Ge entrance to Yala drive on this Weheragala Dam, stop for selfies and people long to walk near the six sluice gates enjoying the gentle breeze blowing across the reservoir.
The idea of the Weheragala Reservoir was born when the Lunugamvehera Reservoir failed to live up to the expectation of providing adequate water for the farming community of the South. It was built by damming the Kirindi Oya at Lunugamvehera in 1985 to provide water to the farmers of the South. But this proved inadequate for the new colonies settled to engage in cultivation in the Hambantota district.
A white egret and a cormorant wait for their prey in a water hole near the Weheragala reservoir
The Weheragala reservoir was built by damming the waters of the Manik Ganga in Block V of the Yala National Park bordering the Lunugamvehera National Park. The reservoir covers 3,500 acres and can hold 75 million cubic metres of water. It supplies water to Hambantota and 4,100 hectares of paddy fields in the surrounding area.
A 23-kilometre canal from Weheragala takes water from the Menik Ganga to the Lunugamvehera Reservoir. The dam is 23 metres tall and about two kilometres long. The reservoir feeds about five watering holes in the park, creating an ideal environment for the wildlife in Yala Block V and the Lunugamvehera National Park. Many agree that this reservoir has been a great addition to preserve the wildlife in the Yala National Park.
Archaeological sites
The Weheragala Chaitya atop a rock outcrop
Archaeological sites dating back to pre-Christian era scatter the surrounding areas of the Weheragala reservoir. The Weheragala Chaitya, too can be seen atop a rock outcrop by venturing along an alternative path. Today, all the historical monuments in Weheragala are overgrown with weeds due to neglect. Most visitors to the park are wildlife enthusiasts and not archeological buffs like me and don’t seem to have an interest to visit these historical sites. Ancient stone columns can be spotted near the reservoir indicating that this area would reveal a rich history. Most of these archaeological ruins date back to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd century of the pre-Christian era to 8th and 10th century CE.
Passing the waterway of the Menik Ganga and by crossing the dam, one can enter the Lunugamvehera National Park. The forest becomes thicker and the rain wet soil has a sense of richness. Bird life is in plenty, especially eagles within both national parks (Yala and Lunugamvehera).
The wilderness of these two national parks is intriguing and provides a different experience from the rest. Hidden from public eye, there is much to discover. After visiting the beautiful Weheragala reservoir and several archaeological sites within the park, we headed back promising to return to the area one day.
