Parakrama's Lake is actually a man-made reservoir, built by King Parakramabahu (1153 - 1186) by breaching the dams of five smaller reservoirs. The area of this vast artificial lake extends some ten square miles, nor is this by any means the only work of that mighty king; According to the Culavamsa, Parakramabahu restored thousands of lesser tanks and canals, built or restored hundreds of monasteries and monuments, and sent expeditions overseas to Burma in 1164 and India in 1169. Greatness, however, seldom comes without a price: by the end of his reign, the kingdom was nearly bankrupt, and would never after recover that brief moment of glory.