Sri Lanka to Gazette 5 Forest Reserves to Protect Ancient 'Wewa' hydraulic Heritage

So, the Sri Lankan government has announced it would bring in laws to protect five forests in the Anuradhapura district, that would include the endemic 'Wewa Cascade Systems'.

In Sri Lanka, we think we know what a WEWA is. And if you're not from Sri Lanka, you probably have no idea what this is all about.

Well, here's a brief on this amazing ancient hydraulic system, the world is beginning to wake up to....

So, what is a 'WEWA'?

First things first. A wewa, is not a tank, or a reservoir or a lake. A Sri Lankan Wewa, which is EXACTLY what it must be called, is a highly advanced hydraulic system that works in unison with other wewas, to conserve and utilize water in a sustainable manner.  

A Wewa is an ancient hydraulic engineering system that was imagined and created in ancient Sri Lanka, to control and use water in a way that not just met agrarian and other human needs, but also nourished and protected the environment.

How does it work?

A wewa is a single body of water and can have many different components such as pressure gauges, spill-controls, protection areas etc., but what's important here is that each Wewa, has a specific purpose and works within a larger integrated system, called a Cascade System.

How many does Sri Lanka Have?

Well, the estimates are that Sri Lanka has some 900 individual cascade systems, and some 30,000 manmade WEWAS.

How will this new law help protect these ancient treasures?

Sri Lanka is set to strengthen its environmental protection efforts by designating five forests in the Anuradhapura District as protected reserves on June 5, with a strong focus on safeguarding the ancient ‘Wewa’ Ellanga wewa cascade system and preserving critical ecosystems.

The initiative, which will be implemented under the national “Wanaspathi” programme in line with World Environment Day, also includes plans to open three designated elephant corridors aimed at mitigating the growing human-elephant conflict.

Authorities confirmed that the forest areas to be gazetted as protected reserves include the Ritigala Forest Reserve, Aliya Wetunu Wewa Reserve, Bulagala Reserve, Koonketiyawa Reserve, and Kallankeeya Reserve. Together, these five forest zones cover a total extent of 2,169 hectares.

On the 5th of June 2026, Sri Lankas government will enact laws that would protect five forests in the North Central Provinces Anuradhapura district, Sri Lankas ancient royal capital.

The Sri Lankan Wewa hydraulic systems were built many thousands of years ago. Many of them still serve the land and people, even today.

The philosophy of the ancient WEWA is a gift of sustainable development that Sri Lanka can offer the world - how to use the support of nature, but also, protect it for generations to come.

(Click on the link below if you want to learn more about Sri Lankas ancient hydraulic heritage) 

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2021/08/29/the-worlds-greatest-ancient-water-civilization-a-special-editorial