Randenigala Dam - Mahaweli Rajamawatha, Central Province, Sri Lanka

The Randenigala Project is the fourth major multi-purpose initiative and the largest reservoir under the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Programme. It is located about 26 km downstream from the Victoria Headworks and 6 km upstream of the Minipe Anicut, from where the main Right Bank and Left Bank canals divert Mahaweli waters for irrigation. Randenigala holds the largest storage capacity, with a gross storage of 860 million cubic meters (697,000 acre-feet) at full supply level.
The project is expected to generate approximately 525 GWh of electrical energy annually, which accounts for 20% of the island’s current demand. The Randenigala Dam is a large hydroelectric embankment dam located at Rantembe in Sri Lanka’s Central Province. Construction of the dam began in November 1982 and was completed in approximately four years.
The power station is positioned immediately downstream of the dam on the left bank. Water from the reservoir is channeled to the power station through a single steel-lined tunnel, measuring 270 meters (886 feet) in length and 6.2 meters (20.3 feet) in diameter.
How to arrive -
The Randenigala Dam is located on the Badulla-Kandy main road (Randenigala Road/Raja Mawatha), making it easily accessible by public transport. From Kandy, it takes approximately 2 hours to reach the dam. Similarly, if you're coming from Badulla, the journey takes about the same time, roughly 2 hours.
For private vehicle users:
-If you're traveling from Kandy, after passing Adhikarigama and Keertibandarapura, you will reach the Randenigala Reservoir, the Randenigala Forest, and the dam.
-If you're coming from Mahiyanganaya or Badulla, after passing the 21-mile post, you will arrive at the Kandy Junction. From there, turn onto Rajamawatha, pass through a few villages, and you will soon reach the Randenigala Reservoir, forest, and dam.
When traveling from the Kandy side, before reaching the Randenigala Dam, you'll pass several other reservoirs that are part of the Mahaweli Project, with the Randenigala Reservoir being the last one. However, if you're coming from the Badulla or Mahiyanganaya side, the first Mahaweli Project reservoir you will encounter is the Randenigala Reservoir.
The Badulla-Kandy Rajamawatha is a scenic route, rich in natural beauty. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including forest animals such as elephants, which are often seen in the early morning and evening. Therefore, I recommend visiting during the daytime, as it is the safest time for us.
I warmly invite you all to visit the Randenigala Dam and experience its beauty and the surrounding natural environment firsthand!
VISIT SRI LANKA!