2 8 Sta tistical Account of the 



The Kadoopittee Oya, from Mahdampe to about two miles 

 north of Chilaw, at all times contains sea- water, and forms 

 a portion of the Colombo-Putlam Canal. Immediately at 

 Mahdampe an embankment is thrown across the stream for 

 the purpose of filling a large tank belonging to the village. 



All the above rivers, taking their rise among the Korne- 

 galle hills far to the east, are liable to sudden floods, even at 

 times when the country through which a great portion of 

 their course runs, is parched by lengthened droughts. On 

 such occasions, the channels fill up with almost inconceivable 

 rapidity, and the stream which might be crossed almost dry, 

 becomes, in the course of an hour or two, a wide, deep, swift 

 torrent. It is from this circumstance, that the Dedroo Oya 

 is termed by the Tamuls, the Mayawan Aar, " Sudden river." 



Lakes. 



There is no natural fresh-water lake; but owing to the 

 extensive cultivation of Paddy, numberless tanks or reservoirs, 

 some of them several miles in circumference, are scattered 

 over the country. 



The only salt-water lakes are those at which are situated 

 the salt pans of Putlain, Natchically, Kahrative, Tilliaddy, 

 Oodappankarie, &c. ; and those which form part of the Canal 

 from Chilaw to Putiam. The Gulf of Kalpentyn, which is 

 about eighteen miles long, and from two to six broad, may 

 from its land-locked position, and its shallowness, be regarded 

 as a lake. In fact, such is its usual designation among the 

 European descendants. 



Harbours. 



There is only one Harbour in the District, namely, Kalpen- 

 tyn. It is situated near the opening of the Gulf to which it 

 gives its name. The channel to sea-ward is unfortunately 

 tortuous and shallow; small native craft can therefore alone 

 avail themselves of it. About four or five miles to the north 

 of the town, there is, however, a spacious bay, which can be 

 entered by vessels of considerable burden, and in which I under- 



