A tank in Anurádhapura built by King Pandukábhaya (Mhv.x.88). At its lower end was the settlement of the yakkha Cittarája (Mhv.x.84).
In the hot weather it ran dry, and on one occasion Devánampiyatissa used its mud for building a temporary structure in which to deposit the relics brought from Jambudípa (Mhv.xvii.35).
The hall which Dutthagámani built round the Maricavatti Vihára extended into a part of the Abhaya tank (Mhv.xxvi.20).
In the reign of Bhátikábhaya water was taken from the tank, by means of machines, up to the top of the Mahá Thúpa, for the sprinkling of the flowers offered there (Mhv.xxxiv.45).
The tank is generally identified with the modern Basavakkulam (Geiger, Mhv. trans. 74, n.3).