Kotmale Dam powers its turbines from Sri Lanka's first-ever underground power station, its reservoir hiding submerged villages and temples beneath waters raised with Swedish engineering aid.

Why visit Kothmale dam

• Rock-filled Dam: Kotmale Dam is a rock-filled dam. This type of construction makes it a notable engineering feat. The dam is built across the Kotmale Oya.
• Underground Power Station: The dam has an underground power station. It is located inside Atabage Mountain. This makes it Sri Lanka's first underground power station.
• Sweden's Financial Aid: The project received financial aid from the country of Sweden. This international partnership helped build the dam. The dam was a sub-project of the Mahaweli Development Project.
• Submerged Villages and Temples: The dam's construction displaced about 3,000 people. It also submerged many ancient temples in the reservoir. A new pagoda, Mahaweli Maha Seya, was built in memory of these temples.
• Second Largest Hydropower Station: Kotmale Dam is the second-largest hydropower station in Sri Lanka. It has an installed capacity of 201 MW. It plays a vital role in providing electricity to the country.