The 2025 J.U.C. Awards | #JUCAwards2025 | Submitted Category: WRITING |
Submission Code #W7 | Dedication Theme #WaterActionDecade | Word Count: 1281

Water Cycle and the Life Cycle are One – A reality of Sri Lankan’s lives.

[#JUCAwards2025] Imagine standing before a serene reservoir in a quiet village. The beauty is breathtaking, almost unreal. But have you ever wondered why our ancient ancestors built these lakes and reservoirs? It wasn’t just for beauty. It was because they understood the true value of water in life. Every drop was precious, and they knew that none should go to waste. Our ancient king “Parakramabahu” was one of the great kings in Sri Lanka who made a lot of lakes and reservoirs. He gave an oath swearing that “Not one drop of water shall reach the sea without first serving man.” Our ancient ancestors mastered the art of using water with precision, transforming it into a lifeline that sustained entire communities. Their ingenuity still ripples through Sri Lankan life today, where the efficient use of water remains woven into everyday routines, a legacy of resilience and resourcefulness that endures.

In the dry, resilient North Central region of Sri Lanka, ancient kings understood a truth that would shape generations: water is the lifeblood of every living thing. Despite the rare rains, they constructed an intricate network of reservoirs to capture and preserve each precious drop. These reservoirs, carefully placed in even the driest areas, were more than feats of engineering—they were lifelines. The kings knew that water didn’t just sustain crops; it was essential for the survival of people, animals, and the land itself. Their foresight continues to nourish the region today, a legacy of their commitment to life.

Our ancestors went even further, creating a network of reservoirs that connected villages across the land. Larger reservoirs supplied smaller ones, making sure water reached every community that needed it. This system wasn’t just advanced, it was a lifeline, a way to ensure that water was always there, ready to nourish life across the kingdom. 

Even today, these ancient lakes do more than provide water. They connect communities across the land, a silent network that flows through every part of Sri Lanka. They bring not only sustenance but also prosperity, linking villages, fostering resilience, and reminding us of the timeless bond that water forges among people. It’s a legacy that still breathes life into communities, generation after generation.

Long ago, it wasn’t just the kings who recognized the vital importance of water, the people did too. They understood that water was more than a resource; it was a responsibility. Together, they safeguarded it, preserving each drop with care. Thousands of lakes built by ancient kings still serve our land today, quietly supporting life in countless ways, a testament to the enduring wisdom of those who came before us.

In ancient Sri Lanka, water was the lifeblood of the most valued and essential occupation which is agriculture. Without it, progress came to a halt. Water became the critical ingredient, and the lakes built by ancient kings still serve as vital sources of irrigation for paddy fields, the heart of most Sri Lankan villages. During dry spells, water from these lakes flows through a carefully designed network of canals, maintained by the village community itself. Sri Lanka’s wet and dry monsoon cycles make these lakes indispensable, capturing rainwater to ensure a steady supply through droughts. This cyclical relationship with the lakes sustains farming and supports food security and economic stability for villages.

Beyond supporting agriculture, these lakes nourish a wide range of wildlife, providing a haven for endemic fish, migratory birds, and lush vegetation. This vibrant biodiversity has fostered a conservation ethic within villages, as communities recognize the need to preserve these ecosystems for the future. In every season, the lakes stand as enduring symbols of resilience, connecting people, nature, and the land in a shared rhythm of sustenance and sustainability.”

Long ago, Sri Lankans embraced water not only as a source of sustenance for agriculture but as a cornerstone of cultural and spiritual life. Sri Lankan traditions are deeply rooted in water. For instance, the feet of Buddha statues are ceremonially washed on specific occasions to invoke blessings for rain. Monks also perform many rituals centered around water; during “Pirith” chanting, they hold a sacred thread linked to a pot of holy water, symbolizing protection, and blessings.

The Sacred Tooth Relic holds a long-standing connection with water and rainfall. On Wednesdays, it is symbolically bathed in a fragrant herbal preparation of scented water and flowers in a ritual called the “Nanumura Mangallaya”. This holy water, believed to hold healing powers, is then distributed to those present. Many lakes are revered as sacred, believed to be protected by local deities, and villagers often make offerings and pray around these lakes, especially during challenging times or harvest festivals.

The “Kohomba Kankariya”, an ancient ritual still practiced by some communities, honors local gods and protects the lake, further showing water’s integral place in Sri Lankan life.

Around harvest season, rituals often take place near these lakes to show gratitude and request favorable conditions for the next planting cycle. The “Aluth Sahal Mangallaya” (New Rice Festival) is celebrated to thank the gods for a successful harvest, and offerings are sometimes cast into the lake as part of this tradition.

For most villagers, the lake serves as a shared meeting place woven into the fabric of daily life. It’s rare for a week to pass without a visit to the lake. Here, villagers gather to wash clothes, bathe, fetch water, and sometimes even fish. These regular interactions around the lake foster friendships and strengthen community bonds. It’s a place where news is exchanged, village matters are discussed, and connections are deepened through the everyday rhythms of village life.

Many lakes require regular upkeep, like clearing channels and reinforcing embankments. These tasks are often completed collectively through “Shramadana”, a voluntary communal labor. Each villager shares this responsibility, working together to preserve the lake and ensure water sustainability for all.

Many villages practice traditional conservation techniques that have been passed down for centuries. For instance, some communities observe a “closed season” for fishing during breeding periods to allow fish stocks to replenish, or they avoid polluting the lake, understanding that it provides for all of them. The lake’s fish provide a vital source of protein, meeting the nutritional needs of everyone in the community.

Today, many hotels and walking paths have been established near or around lakes, highlighting the deep psychological connection between people and water. For villages situated near popular lakes, tourism provides an opportunity to supplement their income. Villagers often craft and sell souvenirs, guide tourists on boat rides, or offer homestays, creating an authentic experience of village life, a hallmark of Sri Lankan hospitality. Additionally, the safari experience to see elephants in Sri Lanka is closely tied to these lakes, as wild elephants are frequently spotted nearby, drawn to the water as they traverse the jungle. 

In some regions, villagers have developed small-scale industries around the lake’s resources, such as processing freshwater fish or using lake plants for traditional crafts. This provides additional economic support and encourages younger generations to stay in their hometowns rather than seeking work in urban areas.

For Sri Lankan villages, water is the essential element of life, with lakes serving as its cornerstone. These lakes represent the heart of their cultural identity, economic stability, and communal spirit. They symbolize a relationship that has endured for generations, instilling respect for nature, responsibility for shared resources, and the importance of community. The connection between village and lake exemplifies how deeply a community can be rooted in the land, bonded by mutual dependence, and sustained by traditions that honor both its people and the natural world. This relationship illustrates that, for Sri Lankans, the water cycle and the life cycle are intertwined, woven together throughout our civilizations.

# # #

The 2025 J.U.C. Awards | #JUCAwards2025 | Submitted Category: WRITING | Submission Code #W7 | Dedication Theme #WaterActionDecade | Word Count: 1281

DISCLOSURE: 
Transparency in the 2025 J.U.C. Awards Evaluation Process

LMGlobal.Org is committed to transparency in the evaluation process for the 2025 J.U.C. Media, Research, Writing & Innovation Awards.
• All complete and plagiarism run-through submissions are posted on this website as received, without any spelling or grammar corrections.
• The 2025 Evaluation Committee (E.C.) will use a pre-defined rubric to evaluate all entries fairly and consistently.
• The names of the finalists will be announced on this website around the last week of February or during the first week of March 2025.
Transparency
• Applicants can see the rest of the submissions and learn from one to another.
• Schools can gain insights into all the complete submissions and the evaluation process.
• The general public can gain insights into the submissions and witness the high standards of the evaluation process.
We believe that this transparent approach fosters trust in the J.U.C. Awards and ensures a fair evaluation process for all participants.
– Bircan Ünver, LMGlobal.Org

©2020-2025 #JUCAwards2025 | LMGlobal.Org | www.lmglobal.org