Leave Parakrama Samudraya alone, please
Posted on August 28th, 2021

Chanaka Bandarage

News from Polonnaruwa states that a jogging track is to be built on the bund of the Great Tank (Wewa) – Parakrama Samudraya.

Parakrama Samudraya is a gigantic tank (‘samudra’ means large as a sea).  Its archeological value is unspeakable/unmeasurable. 

Parakrama Samudraya was built by Parakramabahu the Great, more than 1,500 years ago.  During his period Sri Lanka exported rice to other countries as well.  It is stated that he conquered parts of modern day Myanmar.

Our ancient tanks were built with the intention of storing rainfall and surface run off water. They are inter connected with number of complex canals and spillways.

The tanks collected and distributed water primarily for paddy cultivation.  They were also a method of flood protection.

This is Sri Lanka’s ancient ‘Sinhala Hydraulic Irrigation’ system. The whole world is astonished about it.

Our forefathers preserved these great tanks with meticulous care and dedication. That is why they exist in such fine form today.

Our solemn duty should be to preserve them in their original form and shape for the next 1,500 years.  

If we build modern/state of the art jogging tracks upon bunds (banks) of the great tanks, they will not only harm the tanks’ ancient value but their engineering structures as well.

A jogging track was recently built on the bank of Tissamaharama Tank (Tissa Wewa – another ancient tank, built about 2,300 years ago).  It is a modern track built using expensive red bricks.  The track resembles Colombo Independence Square’s walking tracks.

Is Tissamaharama walking track compatible with the Tank’s ancient status, rich historical value and glory? No.

The irreversible changes made to these precious archeological structures clearly amount to unnecessarily meddling with them. 

Building modern jogging tracks upon bunds of these most valuable, ancient tanks is akin to someone wearing a flashy, European tie with his Sri Lankan national dress (jathika anduma).

Parakrama Samudraya mirrors our rich history. It is a clear personification of the Great Sinhala Buddhist Civilization that was built on 3 pillars – ‘village, temple and tank’.

It is an embodiment that represents our unique, most significant culture to the whole world. It is part of the nation’s heart, soul and life.

We should not disregard that Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The construction work – use of very heavy machinery, removal of thousands of large granite/quartzite rocks that form the current breakwater (where these precious rocks would end up?), concrete/cement work, and use of chemicals can ruin the tank permanently. Once the solid breakwater is gone, would the jogging track be able to prevent the tank water from flooding lower lands? There is no doubt that the work involves removing trees and plants growing in and around the tank.  

Once built, thousands of people will use the jogging track (current tank bund) each day; wanting to jog/walk.  They will cause untold damage to the tank’s natural and serene environment. The overcrowding of people/vehicle fumes will pollute the tank water; they will introduce tons of polythene, plastic, sewage and air/noise pollution. Many shops and boutiques will pop up to cater to the needs of the increased population (thus the inevitable emergence of pests like stray dogs, rats, crows and cockroaches). The damage/disturbance that the jogging track could do to wildlife is immense. Wild elephants too use this reservoir.

Today, local people uses the tank bund for various purposes like bathing in the tank, spend time leisurely, drive cattle, and pilgrims to Polonnaruwa who cannot afford hotels use it as a place to cook a quick meal.  All this will end as the track will be exclusively reserved for those who jog/walk. Basically that area will become out of bounds to simple, ordinary peasants of Polonnaruwa and poor visitors to Polonnaruwa (it is alleged that similar things have happened in Tissamaharama).

True, modernization is important to enhance people’s standard of living. But, that does not mean we should ‘modernize’ our valuable ancient history, heritage, culture and values.  

Like the good monks who protested outlining that there are ample other places in Polonnaruwa to build jogging/walking tracks, the authorities must permanently disband the idea of building a jogging track upon the bund (bank) of the Great Tank – Parakrama Samudraya.  

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