Ancient Micro-Scale Hydraulic Elements in Sri Lanka: Functionality and Interpretations of Dedigama Eth Pahana

Despite well established scientific studies and findings on ancient macro scale hydraulic structures in Sri Lanka, the studies on ancient micro-scale hydraulic structures are very limited. The operational features of the article known as Dedigama 'Eth Pahana' indicates the automatic control of a fluid flow, which has not been subjected to any scientific analysis so far. Although this is a single object, it gives a prime opportunity to investigate the operation and formulation of theoretical background for such operation, thus giving some insight of micro scale hydraulic elements. This paper is presented in that context, with further review of alternative possibilities on the application of the subject item.