Page 280 - Proceedings book

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Introduction
It seems that the climatic conditions of the country have played an important role in

the development of the socio-economic and cultural aspects of Sri Lanka in the past.
That is, the people who first settled in Sri Lanka settled in the developed valleys along

the rivers, and considering the convenience of water, the population gradually

expanded and they came into the country through the watery valleys. Although they
kept dry plains like Anuradhapura as their residences, they used water to overcome

the environment. One of the measures they took was to build reservoirs and store
water for use during dry seasons and for cultivation. Later, with the urbanization of

this village, they built fertile tanks as a sanitary and decorative element, created water
ponds from them and built pools, baths, etc. in various parts of the city. These facts

are also revealed from literary sources and inscriptions, and it seems that they have

been inspired by other countries.

The Polonnaruwa period had a great garden technique in the era. The Mahavamsa

gives information about 28 such gardens. In these gardens, fruits, flower trees,
medicinal plants and palm trees were grown. The royal garden of King Maha

Parakramabahu is Nandana Garden. In the Mahavamsa, the Deepa Garden of King

Parakramabahu is also said to be decorated with beautiful pavilions. The gardens were
mesmerized by the sounds of peacocks and chirping birds. In this way, our ancient

city structures were exceptionally beautiful places with natural flora and fauna
(Delpagoda, 2016). Furthermore, The Polonnaruwa period was an era that produced

high art works. It is shown in the genealogy that the first Parakramabahu (1153-1186
AD) when he built Pulatisipura with all the components, created gardens and ponds

like Kumara Pokuna (Prince Pond), Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) etc. It is clear from

the various cultural creations in Okkampitiya Maligavila, Dambegoda, Dematamal
Viharaya, Galabedda etc. that not only in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa etc. but also in

the northern part of Ruhuna (Wellassa) at that time precious works of art with similar

qualities were born. One of the high-level works of art left from those artistic
creations can be called the Galabedda Queen’s Pond in Sri Lanka. According to

legend, this pond belonged to Sugala Devi, the ruler of ‘Udundora’, the capital of
Atadahas Rata. The Galabedda Queen’s Pond is also a prominent example for ancient

hydraulic engineering in Sri Lanka. This paper highlights the historical and

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