Nelumwewa hot springs

Out of the hot springs in Sri Lanka, Nelum Wewa Hot Springs in Polonnaruwa is the most recent discovery. (See here for the complete list of all the hot springs found in Sri Lanka) Although these hot springs have been known to the villagers, the existence of the spring was made public in 2009.

This spring lies on the sand banks inside the Nelum Wewa and Gal Wewa reservoirs on the foothills of the famous Dimbulagala mountain range in the Mahaweli B Zone. Senior Lecturer of the Peradeniya University H.G. Dharma Gunawardena who has studied the spring has measured the temperature of the water to be 61 C, which makes this the hottest spring in Sri Lanka. This spring is also unique in the sense that it is inside a wewa ( reservoir ) and submerged during the October rains.

Out of the seven springs, it is said that 3 springs have been closed and 4 wells have been constructed out of the balance springs. They lie in 2 clusters of 2 each on the dunes of Nelum Wewa.

These springs can be reached by travelling approximately 27 km from the Polonnaruwa Junction. Travel past Kaduruwela and Manampitiya Bridge on the A11 route. After travelling approximately 23 km from the Polonnaruwa Junction, you will come to the small town of Sewanapitiya (Sevanapitiya). Turn left to Nelum Wewa from the town ( a direction board exists and the turn-off). Travelling about 4 kilometres will bring you to Gal Wewa Reservoir. Travelling past this picturesque reservoir over its bund will bring you to Nelum Wewa Reservoir in the same setting. This lies almost adjoining to the first.

The wells can be accessed by foot over dunes during the dry season but will need the service of local fishermen boat when the water of the reservoir is high.