- Beira Lake
Location – Colombo
Western Province
Sri Lanka
Beira Lake is located in the city of Colombo and it is expanded over 65 hectares. Lake is completely surrounded by many elements and special places of the city. Earlier it was spread over 165 hectares but due to various reasons it has been reduced to 65 hectares.
Beira Lake has two distinct potions.
- Small Lake
- Large Lake
These two parts are connected by a narrow cannel in Slave street. Most of the water in the Beira Lake flows through Galle Face Green to the Ocean.
- Small Lake (Kuda Wewa)
You can be seen a small island and the Seema Malaka of the Gangarama temple in the middle of the Small Lake. Nawam Mawatha and Cinnamon Grand Hotel are also located near this small lake.
- Large Lake (Maha Wewa)
It is believed that this tank was previously used to transport goods. Warehouses built around the Maha Wewa provide evidence for that. This Maha wewa used to annual royal boat race for over 140 years and Colombo Rowers’ club also use this wewa for their events.
- Etymology
Earlier this was called as Colombo Lake or just The Lake.
- It is believed that the Lake Beira got its name from a Portuguese Engineer called ‘Beira’. He worked while the Lake was constructing.
- There is another belief that the Lake Beira got its name from a Dutch Engineer called ‘De Beer’. A granite plaque which was found from the sluice inscribed as ‘De Beer 1700’.
- Word Beira in Portuguese means the river bank or edge of the lake.
- Word De Beer in Portuguese means the anchoring point.
- Biera Boat Service
Lake Beira provides you a great swan shaped boat service. The rent is only three hundred (Rs.300) per hour. Earlier there were Motor boats also. Unfortunately you can enjoy only with swan shaped boats today
- Beira Lake Park
Beira Lake has a very beautiful and calm park at the middle of the Lake. You can enter there without taking any tickets. The park is almost full in the weekend. Many young couples visit this place on their holidays.
- Beira Lake in Vesak and Posson Seasons
The area of Beira Lake gives you a magical view in the seasons of Vesak and Posson because of the Gaangarama Vesak Kalapaya. Seema Malakaya, The Park and The walking lines in the Beira Lake is very attractive with colorful bulbs. It cannot be described by words how the environment of the Beira Lake in those seasons. You can be participated many Dansal. But be careful with the traffic jam.
