Rios

Os rios do Sri Lanka nascem nas terras altas centrais. De lá, descem até as planícies e deságuam no mar. Os rios são tipicamente inavegáveis em seus trechos mais altos, onde fluem rápida e turbulentamente por passagens altamente erodidas até as planícies abaixo. Muitos rios descem por penhascos íngremes, formando cachoeiras espetaculares. Em seus cursos mais baixos, os rios serpenteiam lentamente por planícies aluviais e deltas.

O rio mais longo do Sri Lanka, o Mahaweli, percorre um curso de cerca de 330 km (cerca de 205 milhas). Ele flui para nordeste através das terras altas centrais e deságua na Baía de Bengala perto do porto de Trincomalee, na costa leste. O segundo rio mais longo do país é o Aravi Aru, que percorre cerca de 220 km (cerca de 135 milhas) em um curso noroeste, das terras altas centrais até o Golfo de Mannar.

O Sri Lanka não possui lagos naturais. Barragens no Mahaweli e em outros rios criaram grandes reservatórios. Além disso, uma série de pequenos reservatórios, chamados tanques, pontilham as planícies do centro-norte, armazenando água durante a estação seca. Alguns desses tanques foram construídos há até 2.000 anos.

Grande parte do Sri Lanka é árida e possui poucos rios permanentes. No entanto, a "zona úmida" da região sudoeste é caracterizada por numerosos rios que nascem nas altas montanhas da parte central da ilha. Essas diversas bacias hidrográficas sustentam populações endêmicas de plantas aquáticas, bivalves e peixes.

As espécies de água doce conhecidas do Sri Lanka incluem 90 peixes (com 26 endêmicas) e 21 caranguejos, mas estudos em andamento sugerem que o número de espécies ainda não descritas é potencialmente muito grande.

  • 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