Sorabora Lake

Sorabora Wewa is an ancient reservoir at Mahiyanganaya in Badulla District, Sri Lanka, traditionally linked to the era of King Dutugemunu (161 to 137 BC), with a stone sluice still visible. It suits travellers crossing from Kandy to the east who want a lakeside break.

Bulatha the giant and the Sea of Bintenna

Tradition credits the tank to a giant named Bulatha working for Dutugemunu. It was once known as the Sea of Bintenna. The tank and its old structures are declared archaeological protected monuments.

A rock-cut sluice and a 485 m embankment

A 485 m embankment holds back the Diyawanna Oya, creating a lake of about 4.5 km² that stores some 14.6 million cubic metres of water. The sluice, called the Sorowwa, stands apart from the embankment and is cut from a large natural rock; it is said to be the only sluice of this type in Sri Lanka.

Picnics, birds and sunset on the banks

Its banks are popular with local families for picnics and camping, and birds gather around the water. The area is hot and dry for much of the year; visit early or late in the day, at sunrise or sunset. Entry is free.

Mahiyanganaya stupa on the same trip

Mahiyanganaya's ancient stupa can be visited the same day. The Mahavamsa says the Buddha came here nine months after his enlightenment, on his first visit to the island, and Dutugemunu later raised the stupa to 120 feet.