Quick answer
The best lakes to visit in Sri Lanka are Kandy Lake, built by the last king; Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya; Beira Lake in Colombo; the ancient reservoirs of Parakrama Samudra at Polonnaruwa, Kala Wewa near Avukana and Tissa Wewa at Tissamaharama; Bolgoda Lake, south of Colombo; Koggala Lake on the south coast; and the Senanayake Samudra in Gal Oya National Park, with its boat safaris.
Key takeaways
- Most of Sri Lanka's lakes are man-made reservoirs called tanks or wewas.
- Some reservoirs date back nearly two thousand years.
- Kandy Lake was built in the early nineteenth century by the last Kandyan king.
- Bolgoda is often described as Sri Lanka's largest natural lake.
- Reservoirs are best at dawn and dusk for birds and light.
Why Sri Lanka has so many reservoirs
Sri Lanka's ancient kings built thousands of tanks to store monsoon rain for rice cultivation in the dry zone. Some, like Parakrama Samudra at Polonnaruwa and Kala Wewa near Avukana, are vast; others are small village ponds. Many are linked in cascades, with water flowing from one to the next.
These reservoirs are still in use, watering rice fields and supporting fishing and birdlife. They are also some of the most beautiful places on the island, especially at sunrise and sunset.
In the twentieth century, new reservoirs such as the Senanayake Samudra in Gal Oya and the Victoria reservoir on the Mahaweli were added for irrigation and power.
- →Ancient: Parakrama Samudra, Kala Wewa, Tissa Wewa.
- →Modern: Senanayake Samudra, Victoria.
- →Village tanks: everywhere in the dry zone.
Lakes in the cities
Kandy Lake, built by Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king of Kandy, in the early nineteenth century, sits beside the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. A walk around it takes roughly an hour and is pleasant in the early morning or evening.
Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya was created by a British governor in the nineteenth century. It has boating, a lakeside path and picnic areas, and is busy with local families at weekends and holidays.
Beira Lake in Colombo, originally created by the Portuguese, winds through the city. The Seema Malaka pavilion, designed by Geoffrey Bawa, floats on its waters next to Gangaramaya temple.
- →Kandy Lake: a morning walk.
- →Gregory Lake: boating in the hills.
- →Beira Lake: Seema Malaka at dusk.
The great ancient reservoirs
Parakrama Samudra, built by King Parakramabahu I at Polonnaruwa, is so large it is called a sea. Sunset over its waters, with fishermen and birds, is one of the finest sights in the Cultural Triangle.
Kala Wewa, near Avukana, was built in the fifth century and feeds a canal that carries water to Anuradhapura. The Avukana Buddha overlooks it. Tissa Wewa and the other Tissamaharama lakes in the south are rich in birdlife, with painted storks and pelicans close to the roads.
Lankan Stays & Trails often schedules a sunset by a great reservoir after a day of ruins, as it shows how the ancient cities were sustained.
- →Parakrama Samudra at sunset.
- →Kala Wewa with the Avukana Buddha.
- →Tissa Wewa for birds.
Coastal lakes and Gal Oya
Bolgoda Lake, south of Colombo, is often described as the largest natural lake in Sri Lanka, a maze of waterways and islands with boat trips and lakeside hotels. Koggala Lake, near the south coast, has small islands, including one with a cinnamon plantation and another with a temple, reached on boat trips.
The Senanayake Samudra, in Gal Oya National Park, is the largest reservoir in Sri Lanka. Boat safaris cruise among its islands, with elephants sometimes swimming between them. It is one of the most unusual wildlife experiences on the island.
Other reservoirs reward travellers who pass them. The Victoria and Randenigala reservoirs on the Mahaweli, east of Kandy, fill green valleys on the road to Mahiyangana. Sigiriya Wewa, beside the rock, reflects it in still mornings. Minneriya and Kaudulla tanks are the stage for the elephant gathering in the dry months, and Kurunegala's lake lies at the foot of Ethagala.
- →Bolgoda: waterways near Colombo.
- →Koggala: islands by boat.
- →Senanayake Samudra: elephants swimming.
Tips for visiting lakes
Visit lakes at dawn or dusk, when light is softest and birds are most active. Boat trips are best in calm weather, so check conditions in the monsoon months.
Swimming in reservoirs is generally not advised, as crocodiles live in many of them, and currents and depths are unpredictable. Ask local advice before entering any water.
- →Dawn and dusk for birds and light.
- →Avoid swimming in reservoirs.
- →Boat trips on Bolgoda, Koggala and Gal Oya.
Frequently asked questions
What is the largest lake in Sri Lanka?
The largest reservoir in Sri Lanka is the Senanayake Samudra in Gal Oya National Park. Bolgoda Lake, south of Colombo, is often described as the largest natural lake. Among ancient reservoirs, Parakrama Samudra at Polonnaruwa is one of the most famous.
Can you swim in lakes in Sri Lanka?
Swimming in Sri Lankan lakes and reservoirs is generally not advised, because many have crocodiles and unpredictable depths. Local people bathe in some village tanks, but visitors should follow local advice and stick to pools or safe beaches.
What is a wewa in Sri Lanka?
A wewa is a Sri Lankan reservoir or tank, built to store monsoon rain for irrigation. Many date back to ancient times and are still in use. They range from small village tanks to vast reservoirs such as Parakrama Samudra.
Is Kandy Lake natural?
Kandy Lake is not natural. It was built in the early nineteenth century by Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king of Kandy, beside the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. A walk around it takes roughly an hour.
Can I take a boat trip on Koggala Lake?
You can take a boat trip on Koggala Lake, near the south coast between Galle and Weligama. Trips visit small islands, including a cinnamon island and a temple island, and pass mangroves and birds. They usually last one to two hours.
What is Bolgoda Lake?
Bolgoda Lake is a large lake and waterway system south of Colombo, often described as the largest natural lake in Sri Lanka. It has islands, boat trips and lakeside hotels, and makes a quiet escape from the city.
Which lake is best for birdwatching in Sri Lanka?
The Tissamaharama lakes, including Tissa Wewa, Yoda Wewa and Debarawewa, are among the best for birdwatching in Sri Lanka, with painted storks, pelicans, herons and egrets close to the road at dawn. Parakrama Samudra and the Cultural Triangle tanks are also excellent, especially in the northern winter.