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Sri Lanka is a country in South Asia located south of India. The Mahaweli, Sri Lanka鈥檚 longest river, flows for 208 miles between the central highlands and the Bay of Bengal. Sri Lanka boasts 103 river basins and, through the use of modern technologies, some of these rivers are being regulated by use of dams and reservoirs. Most of Sri Lanka鈥檚 land mass is arid, and the rivers are important for irrigation and water supply.

Longest Rivers In Sri Lanka

Mahaweli

The Mahaweli River flows from the Hatton Plateau in the country鈥檚 western region to the Bay of Bengal and covers a distance of 208 miles. The river has supplied water for agriculture in the adjacent areas throughout centuries. A network of dams was constructed starting in the 1970s to siphon large quantities of water for irrigation in the surrounding sands. The river has also been tapped to supply hydroelectric power in the country. The river is home to numerous freshwater fish species, and it supports pockets of plantations and grassland along its shores as well as flowering plants and ferns. Major threats to the river include pollution, human encroachment, alien species, illegal development in the river鈥檚 reservation region, and excess hydropower projects.

Malvathu River

The Malvathu River flows for 102 miles from the North Central Province to the Palk Strait. The city acts as a link between Anuradhapura City and Mannar Coast. Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka鈥檚 capital for more than 15 centuries and the ancient Kings commissioned the construction of canals on the river to feed the rice plantations and sustain the population. The river thus has historical significance in Sri Lanka. The river鈥檚 aquafauna is being threatened by pollution and increased sedimentation.

Kala Oya

Kala Oya River flows for 92 miles from Dambulla to Wilpattu in northwestern Sri Lanka. The river gets about 75% of its water from the Mahaweli River and the rest from rainfall. The river鈥檚 catchment area gains an estimated 3,169 million cubic meters of rain annually. Water in the river鈥檚 lower basin is primarily tapped for rice irrigation, which is done both in large and small scale. Nearly 65% of the river鈥檚 water is diverted to large-scale irrigation projects.

Kelani

Kelani River flows for 90 miles from the Sri Pada Mountain Range in the country鈥檚 central region to Colombo. The river has religious and cultural significance to the inhabitants of Kelani Valley, who observe the Sinhala Buddhist traditions of the country. A Kelani temple stands on the river鈥檚 banks, and it is revered as a sacred site. Throughout its course, the river sustains the livelihood of many people as it is used for fishing, irrigation, and transportation. The river also contributes a significant portion of Colombo鈥檚 power requirements through the hydropower stations built along its course. Sand mining is done along the river鈥檚 shores, and it has had negative impacts on the river鈥檚 health. The river is also threatened by pollution and urban development.

Other Rivers in Sri Lanka

The rest of Sri Lanka鈥檚 rivers are Yan Oya (88 mi); Deduru Oya (88 mi); Walawe Ganga (86 mi); Maduru Oya (84 mi); Maha Oya (83 mi), and Kalu Ganga (80 mi). The rivers in Sri Lanka are continuously threatened by invasive species, domestic and industrial pollution, deforestation, habitat degradation, and use of pesticides.