Which of the following is the largest river basin in Sri Lanka?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. Mahaweli Ganga
The largest river basin in Sri Lanka is that of the Mahaweli Ganga.
The Mahaweli Ganga is also the longest river in Sri Lanka, stretching approximately 335 km. Its drainage basin covers an extensive area of 10,448 km2, which accounts for almost one-fifth of the entire island's land area. This makes it by far the largest river basin in the country, playing a vital role in Sri Lanka's irrigation, hydropower generation, and overall ecology.
Other options:
- Meghna and Padma are major rivers primarily located in Bangladesh and India, forming part of the vast Ganges Delta system. They are not rivers in Sri Lanka.
- Maha Oya is a significant river in Sri Lanka, but its basin area (around 1,510 km2) is considerably smaller than that of the Mahaweli Ganga.