The Malwathu Oya (Sinhala: මල්වතු ඔය Malwathu Oya, Tamil: அருவி ஆறு Aruvi Aru) is the second longest river in Sri Lanka. The river originates in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka and enters the sea on the northwest coast, into the Gulf of Mannar, near Vankalai.[1] It is a seasonal river that spans over 164 km (102 mi) through paddy and forest lands, which are used by the inhabitants to cultivate for their survival.[2][3]

Malwathu Oya
Aruvi Aru
Malwathu River in Anuradhapura
Malwathu Oya is located in Sri Lanka
Malwathu Oya
Native nameමල්වතු ඔය (Sinhala)
Location
CountrySri Lanka
Physical characteristics
SourceInamaluwa Mountains
 • locationMatale and Anuradhapura Districts
MouthPalk Strait
 • location
Mannar, Northern Province
 • coordinates
08°48′08″N 79°55′40″E / 8.80222°N 79.92778°E / 8.80222; 79.92778
Length164 km (102 mi)

The river basin covers an area of 3,284 km2 (1,268 sq mi) (with a length of 125 km (78 mi), a maximum width of 40 km (25 mi) at an average height of 85.5 m (281 ft) above sea level). The average annual rainfall in the basin area is 1,223 mm (48.1 in). The Ritigala mountain range, which comprises four main peaks (the highest of which is over 900 m (3,000 ft) high), in the upper reaches of the river, serves as the main catchment.

Tributaries

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  • Kanadara Oya
  • Maminiya Oya
  • Kadahatu Oya
  • Kal Aru
  • Narivili Aru

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Sykes, Jim (2018). The Musical Gift: Sonic Generosity in Post-War Sri Lanka. Oxford University Press. p. 74. ISBN 9780190912031.
  2. ^ Perera, PA Chintaka T.; Sundarabarathy, Thenmoli V.; Sivananthawerl, Thavananthan; Kodithuwakku, Suranga P.; Edirisinghe, Udeni (1 December 2016). "Arsenic and Cadmium Contamination in Water, Sediments and Fish is a Consequence of Paddy Cultivation: Evidence of River Pollution in Sri Lanka". Achievements in the Life Sciences. 10 (2): 144–160. doi:10.1016/j.als.2016.11.002. ISSN 2078-1520.
  3. ^ P.A.C.T. Perera, T.V. Sundarabarathy, T. Sivananthawerl, U. EdirisingheSeasonal variation of water quality parameters in different geomorphic channels of the upper Malwathu Oya in Anuradhapura, Sri LankaTrop. Agric. Res., 25 (2014), pp. 158-170