This short description is based on a visit to the Diyabeduma , the historic water bifurcation point located on the Girithale - Bakamuna road. Seemingly, the surrounding village has got its name due to the anicut.
Diyabeduma bears witness to the hydro-engineering skills of ancient Sri Lankans. It also stands testimony to the fact that ancient Sri Lankans were masters in water management. This historic construction also confirms the belief that Sri Lankans took every effort to conserve water.
The anicut divides the waters of the Yoda Ela which contains the waters of the Ambanganga. The Elahera - Minneriya Yoda Ela (Giant Canal) was initiated by the King Wasaba around 2nd century A.D. The length of the canal is around 20km. Then the water is split at the point known as Diyabeduma and diverted into the Minneriya tank and the Girithale Tank. The system is said to have been further developed by the king Agbodhi -11 during the 7 century A.D. The system has further been developed by the king Parakramabahu 1 during the 12th Century A.D.
The entire area and the canal had been abandoned due to various reason for centuries until the British renovated it in 1887.
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