Ríos

Los ríos de Sri Lanka nacen en las tierras altas centrales. Desde allí descienden a las llanuras y desembocan en el mar. Los ríos suelen ser innavegables en sus tramos superiores, donde fluyen rápida y turbulentamente a través de pasajes altamente erosionados hacia las llanuras inferiores. Muchos ríos descienden por acantilados escarpados, formando cascadas espectaculares. En sus tramos inferiores, los ríos serpentean lentamente a través de llanuras aluviales y deltas.

El río más largo de Sri Lanka, el Mahaweli, recorre un curso de unos 330 km (unas 205 millas). Fluye hacia el noreste a través de las tierras altas centrales y desemboca en la Bahía de Bengala cerca del puerto de Trincomalee, en la costa oriental. El segundo río más largo del país es el Aravi Aru, que recorre unos 220 km (unas 135 millas) en dirección noroeste, desde las tierras altas centrales hasta el Golfo de Mannar.

Sri Lanka no tiene lagos naturales. Las presas en el Mahaweli y otros ríos han creado grandes embalses. Además, una serie de pequeños reservorios, llamados tanques, se extienden por las llanuras del centro-norte, almacenando agua durante la estación seca. Algunos de estos tanques se construyeron hace hasta 2000 años.

Gran parte de Sri Lanka es árida y cuenta con solo unos pocos ríos permanentes. Sin embargo, la "zona húmeda" de la región suroeste se caracteriza por numerosos ríos que nacen en las altas montañas del centro de la isla. Estas diversas cuencas fluviales albergan poblaciones endémicas de plantas acuáticas, bivalvos y peces.

Las especies de agua dulce conocidas de Sri Lanka incluyen 90 peces (con veintiséis endémicas) y 21 cangrejos; sin embargo, estudios en curso sugieren que el número de especies no descritas es potencialmente considerable.

  • Explore the majestic Mahaweli River, Sri Lanka’s longest river, offering serene boat rides and opportunities for birdwatching and nature adventures along its winding course through scenic valleys.

    Mahaweli River 

  • The Kelani River is a 145-kilometre-long (90 mi) river in Sri Lanka. It flows through or borders the Sri Lankan districts of Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Gampaha and Colombo.

    Kelani River 

  • Kalu Ganga is a river in Sri Lanka. Measuring 129 km (80 mi) in length. The mountainous forests in the Province and the Sinharaja Forest Reserve are the main sources of water for the river.

    Kalu Ganga 

  • The southern region of Sri Lanka is exalted by a bushel of enthralling and glorified rivers and the Walawe River is one of them. Gently flowing through the Udawalawe National Park, the Walawe River provides water for a multitude of species of mesmerising fauna.

    Walawe River 

  • The Deduru Oya Dam is an embankment dam built across the Deduru River in Kurunegala District of Sri Lanka. Built in 2014, the primary purpose of the dam is to retain approximately a billion cubic metres of water for irrigation purposes, which would otherwise flow out to sea.

    Deduru Oya 

  • The Malvathu River  long river in Sri Lanka, connecting the city of Anuradhapura, which was the capital of the country for over 15 centuries, to the coast of Mannar. It currently ranks as the second longest river in the country, with a great historic significance.

    Malwathu Oya 

  • It was around these ancient tank (water storage reservoir) irrigation systems that the economy and human settlements of early Sri Lankan society were organised into a “hydraulic civilization”.

    Kala Oya 

  • Discover Gal Oya, a tranquil sanctuary in Sri Lanka, known for its lush landscapes, rich wildlife, and serene boat safaris, offering a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature and wildlife.

    Gal Oya 

  • The Gin Ganga, is a 115.9 km (72 mi) long river situated in Galle District of Sri Lanka. The river's headwaters are located near Deniyaya, bordering the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.

    Gin Ganga 

  • Experience the serene beauty of Kirindi Oya, a tranquil river in Sri Lanka. Enjoy scenic boat rides, lush landscapes, and opportunities for birdwatching, offering a peaceful escape into nature.

    Kirindi Oya 

  • The Kumbukkan Oya is the twelfth-longest river of Sri Lanka. It is approximately 116 km (72 mi) long. Its catchment area receives approximately 2,115 million cubic metres of rain per year.

    Kumbukkan Oya 

  • The Maduru Oya is a major stream in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is approximately 135 km (84 mi) in length. approximately 3,060 million cubic metres of rain per year

    Maduru Oya 

  • The Maha Oya measures approximately 134 km (83 mi) in length. It runs across four provinces and five districts. Maha Oya has 14 Water supply networks to serve the need of water.

    Maha Oya 

  • Explore the peaceful Manik River, surrounded by lush greenery and rich wildlife. Enjoy scenic boat rides and nature walks, offering a serene and refreshing experience.

    Manik River 

  • The Yan Oya, 142 km long and receives 2,371 million cubic meters of rainfall annually, with 17% flowing to the sea. Its catchment area covers 1,520 square kilometers.

    Yan Oya 

  • The Mi oya is a 108 km (67 mi) long river, in North Western of Sri Lanka. It is the fifteenth-longest river in Sri Lanka. It begins in Saliyagama and flows northwest, emptying into the Indian Ocean thru Puttalam.

    Mi Oya