An island built on water
Resource ID
4745
Access
Open
Contributed by
Maheshi Adams
Other
food security, water flows, water storage
Date
18 March 12
Country
Sri Lanka, South Asia
Summary
It was King Parakramabahu who in the 12th Century remarked that not a drop of water should drain to the sea without being put to productive use. And he put his money where is his mouth was by bankrolling some of the most extensive water management systems ever seen at that time. The ambitious tanks and water systems he commissioned are still visible today and cannot fail to impress visitors. Parakramabahu laid the foundations of modern Sri Lanka’s food security, allowing the island culture to develop into the one of the most sophisticated in the region. Little wonder that Sri Lankan's began to revere water as the key resource underpinning every aspect of their lives.
Source
Sunday Times