Kotmale Reservoir, officially named Gamini Dissanayake Reservoir, is a mountain lake situated in Sri Lanka's Central Province, southwest of Kandy. Filled in 1984 as part of the Mahaweli Development Program, it combines hydroelectric function, highland landscapes, and the memory of villages submerged at its creation.

Why visit Kotmale Reservoir

Kotmale is not a tourist attraction in the traditional sense: it's a site to be contemplated and traversed, along the scenic route connecting Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. It appeals to three types of travelers.

• Those who appreciate high-altitude landscapes, with verdant relief, tea plantations, and steep valleys.
• Those interested in Sri Lanka's recent history: the reservoir's creation displaced thousands of inhabitants and submerged several villages, including a Buddhist temple.
• Those seeking a brief stop between Kandy and the highlands, without major detours.

History of Kotmale Reservoir

The reservoir was developed as part of the Mahaweli Development Program, a vast irrigation and hydroelectric scheme launched to harness the Mahaweli River basin. The lake was filled in November 1984.

This project permanently transformed the valley. Several villages were submerged and thousands of inhabitants relocated to other regions of the country. Historic sites also disappeared beneath the waters, including the Kadadora Vihara temple, a Buddhist sanctuary now underwater and visible only during drought periods, when water levels reach their lowest.

To honor the lost temples, authorities constructed the Mahaweli Maha Seya, also called Kotmale Seya: a large white stupa built on the right bank at elevation, which now dominates the reservoir landscape.

What to see around the reservoir

Panoramic viewpoints

Without descending to the dam, several vantage points line the Kandy–Nuwara Eliya road, notably between Talawantenne and Ramboda. These viewpoints offer a sweeping view of the lake, nestled in the mountains. Allow a few minutes to photograph the valley.

The dam and museum

Access to the dam allows you to view the structure up close. About 1 km from the dam is the reservoir museum (information center), which traces the site's construction and operation. The museum terrace itself makes an excellent vantage point over the lake, accessible even without particular interest in the technical aspects.

Mahaweli Maha Seya (Kotmale Seya)

On the right bank, this large white stupa is reached via a road climbing the heights. The site offers a broad panorama over the reservoir and surrounding relief. The atmosphere is peaceful, particularly toward evening.

The submerged Kadadora Vihara temple

The sanctuary emerges from the water only during marked drought periods, when the reservoir level drops significantly. If conditions permit during your visit, the sight is rare and deeply resonant. In normal season, the site remains invisible.

St Clair Falls

Near the reservoir, St Clair Falls complete the outing. This multi-tiered waterfall descends into a cirque of vegetation and makes a coherent detour in the same geographic area.

When to visit Kotmale

Seasonality plays an important role in the experience, due to water level variations.

• Reservoir at its highest: after monsoon seasons, the lake covers nearly 6.15 km² with a shoreline of approximately 45 km. Landscapes are most spectacular at this time.
• Low level: generally observed in February, when the volume can drop to around 20 million m³ and the surface shrink to 1.7 km². This is the only period when Kadadora Vihara temple may reappear.

The region being mountainous and subject to heavy rain, certain sectors are exposed to landslides. It's best to avoid driving on small hillside roads during heavy precipitation.

Practical information

• Official name: Gamini Dissanayake Reservoir
• Maximum capacity: approximately 174 million m³
• Dimensions: 6.8 km long, up to 1.4 km wide, maximum depth of approximately 75 meters
• Duration of visit: 1 hour for a photo stop at viewpoints; 2 to 3 hours to combine dam, museum, and stupa
• To bring: a vehicle, comfortable shoes if climbing to the stupa, a light jacket (altitude makes the air cool toward evening)

How to reach Kotmale Reservoir

From Colombo

The distance is approximately 150 km, for a journey of about 4 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.

• By car: the most flexible option, allowing stops at viewpoints along the way.
• By bus: via major routes connecting Colombo to the central highlands.
• By train: to Kandy or Nawalapitiya stations, then by road.

From Kandy

The most direct route follows the Peradeniya – Gampola – Ulapane axis, approximately 38 km for about 1 hour 15 minutes of travel. The journey naturally integrates into a route toward Nuwara Eliya.

What to combine in the region

The Kandy region concentrates several sites of traditional Sinhalese culture that complement a Kotmale visit well:

• The Embekke Devalaya temple, renowned for its woodcarvings.
• The Gadaladeniya Vihara, a 14th-century stone sanctuary.
• An evening performance of Kandyan dance in Kandy.

Frequently asked questions

To include Kotmale in a complete circuit through the highlands, consult our Sri Lanka journeys.