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Nilawarai – ‘Bottomless Well’ in Jaffna Peninsula – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located in Puttur, approximately 14 kilometers northeast of *Jaffna, Nilawari (also spelt as Nilawarai or Nilavari) is the largest freshwater well in Jaffna Peninsula. Although, the water in the well is brackish, villagers are of the view that it is potable water. Some villages are of the view that the well was created by Prince *Rama. According to villagers in Puttur, the water in the well never dries up even during prolonged periods of drought. The well is approximately 44 meters deep.  The rectangular basin of the well surrounded by rock surface is 13 meters long and 10 meters wide. Currently, the water of the well is utilized for irrigation purposes.  Scholars are of the view that the well was caused due to collapse of the top layer of soil exposing a limestone cavern connected to an underground water ...