Nilwala River
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
CountrySri Lanka
SourceSinharaja Forest Reserve
location
Mataracoordinates
5°57′N 80°32′E / 5.950°N 80.533°E| Nilwala River | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Location | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Sinharaja Forest Reserve |
| Mouth | |
• location | Matara |
• coordinates | 5°57′N 80°32′E / 5.950°N 80.533°E |
| Length | 72 km (45 mi) |
| Basin size | 922 km2 (356 sq mi) |
The Nilwala is a river in Southern Province in Sri Lanka. It originates in Sinharaja Forest Reserve[1] and discharges into the sea at Matara. There is no consensus on how this river got its name. It is believed that the river got its name because, in the past, the river's water was very pure blue and flowed like a blue cloud. The Nilwala River was mentioned as Neelavahini and Neelawalanadi River in ancient sources. The most straight forward meaning is 'blue bearer,' 'Blue River.[2]
The river is 72 km (45 mi)[1][3] long and has a drainage basin of 922 km2 (356 sq mi).[4]