Giant's Tank
யோதவாவி
A large irrigation reservoir built by an ancient Sinhalese king, with embankments several kilometres long. In the dry season it is a good place to watch waterbirds and elephants.
Giant's Tank, known in Tamil as Yodawewa, lies about 20 km south-east of Mannar. It is said to have been built by the ancient king Dhatusena and is one of the representative ancient irrigation systems of Sri Lanka. The British restored it in the 19th century, and it still irrigates the rice fields around it. The broad water surface and the embankment offer excellent views. In winter there are plenty of pelicans, storks, cormorants and herons, and elephants occasionally come to the shore at dusk to drink. You can ride a bicycle or drive slowly along the embankment road to observe wildlife. There is no entrance fee. Some roads become muddy in the rainy season.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Thiruketheeswaram Temple
- Vankalai Sanctuary
- Doric Bungalow, Arippu
- Mannar Baobab Tree
- Mannar Fort
- St. Sebastian's Cathedral, Mannar
- Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu
- Talaimannar Pier & Lighthouse