Indigeneous Knowledge related to Ancient Irrigation Management System in Sri Lanka.

Abstract

It is impossible to repel and neglect the diverse fields of ancient Indigence Knowledge System in Sri Lanka. The Indigence Knowledge related to ancient Irrigation System in Sri Lanka had been making the then society economically viable, socially amicable, politically vibrant, and culturally magnificent that existed astonishing the world. The principle objective of this paper is to study how ancient Sri Lanka applied the Indigence Knowledge for irrigation management. The other objective are to identity the sources they use for Irrigation management, to study how to collect organize and report the indigence knowledge for the use of provincial irrigation management and to examine how far the indigence knowledge apply for present irrigation management. The study focuses whole country Sri Lanka. However, two districts applied for the study. On participatory observation and semi structured interview were conducted for primary data collection. It was found that Buddhism influenced for the concepts and the knowledge of ancient irrigation system and techniques, practices and expanded coupled with geographical locations and variations. Use of indigenes knowledge for both natural and man-made irrigation systems were very helpful for improving water resources. Use of indigence knowledge for irrigation and water management with a view control water streams and water flows that falling from hilly area and through penny plains to cross the water flows for making the water resource for consumption by using wooden bars and clay. At later stage, they have used new technique and tools in order to prepare water resources more durable and long lasing with tools, techniques and structures.