Sri Lanka has inherited an extraordinary legacy of water resource management systems dating back to the fifth century BC. Most of the present day irrigation reservoirs of Sri Lanka are on the ancient ones, restored and repaired from time to time and recent development projects constructed new reservoirs.

The Victoria Reservoir and Dam in Kandy district was constructed then Victoria Waterfalls under the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Program (AMDP). The project had been in planning for 30 years but was accelerated in 1977 government to address economic difficulties within the country.

Kothmale Reservoir and Dam at Kothmale in Nuwaraeliya district was began in August 1979 under the accelerated Mahaweli Development Program and the Kothmale reservoir was ceremonially completed in February 1985.

Randenigala and Rantabe Reservoirs are situated within the Victoria Randenigala Rantembe sanctuary nestled between the Knuckles range and the Central Highland of Sri Lanka.

Maduru oya Reservoir and irrigation dam constructed with four smaller reservoirs. Much of Maduru Oya s predominantly low lying terrain was previously used for slash and-burn or Chena cultivation.