Pahanthudawa and Pulun fall is one of our prime destinations where we visited a long time ago. But most of time when we go there, they are out of water. But this time we had a quick visit to both of them on the way to Haputale for another journey. We thought that there will be much water since there was a rain few days ago.

The fall is located at Sigapulikande Mountain in the Ratnapura District, Pelmadulla Electorate, Denawaka area. Take the Ratnapura – Pelmadulla road and turn onto the Devalegama road at Pathakada junction. The fall is 0.5km from here. This was little close to Lihiniyan Kelina fall which was we discove during our Kiribathgala Hike.

Here is she full of water

Side view of it

This is not the full level of water

Slow shutter

Zoomed view

The stream

Base Pool

Aerial view

Small cascades

Rocky plains

Bathing place

Time to leave

Final view of it

We spent few minutes at Pulun Fall and left to see the next sub destination of the main journey. We reached to Belihuloya rest house and turned left to Ihala Galagama Landuyaya road which is the road to climb Hawagala Mountain. We visit this fall for the last time on our journey to Hawagala Mountain.

It was very easy to find Pahanthudawa fall as it is the main attraction of this road. So far many hotels and guest houses in this area was based on this fall. This is a very small waterfall and beautiful and too dangerous. Many of people were died over there due to flash floods and falling to the deep pool. Reaching to the closer of the fall is much difficult since we need to walk along the rocks and it might be slippery. Hence please avoid of visiting this fall during rainy season and soon after the raining.

On the way

Tthe stream

Small cascades0

Some more

More to go

Foot path

Should go there

Here is it, Pahanthudawa Fall

Zoomed view

Scenic view

The stream

See the base pool, its so dangerous

She was full of some water

Another angle

This is safe to bath but be careful of flash flood

Cool Water

The way back

Going back to the parking

Small cascades

Environment

Thank you for reading !

Sobasiri Team ©

We had a relaxing drive to the southern province as we received an invitation from our friend to visit his village as well as we need to have a drive to Matara via the Southern Expressway. Since my other members didn’t see Andahelena Fall I marked it at the first thing on our trip. I visited Andahelena Falls in May, 2013 while on a Funeral of an office mate’s cousin. However, we were able to visit Madol Duwa, Martin Wickremasinghe House, and the Museum and finally stopped at Dondra Light House which is closed to that friend’s home.

Falls in Elpitiya – අඬාහැලෙන ඇල්ල

It is only from close range that the true beauty of the 12m Andahelena Ella Falls (aka Andahalena Ella, Handahelena Ella, Handahalena Ella) can be appreciated, making the difficult approach well worth the trouble. A picturesque pool forms at the top before the water cascades downwards. It is shrouded by trees such as ankenda (Acrounychia pedunculata), aarididda (Camponosperme zeylenice), bakmee (Nauclea orientalis), batadomba (Canarium zeylenicum), telkekuna, ehela (Cassia fistula), gotha (Pedalium murex), wanasapu (Cananga odorata), venivel (Coscinium fenestratum) and alsahora, which form a shady canopy over the water. Some say that the trees of the jungle are akin to monks protecting the four sublime states of living of Buddhism, giving all animals shelter and comfort.

Situated 6km east of Elpitiya town, in the village of Pituwala (in the Galle District’s Elpitiya Divisional Secretariat). The fall is located within 4774 hectares of jungle known as the Beraliya Mukalana (Beraliya Jungle). It is not possible to reach the fall by vehicle. The last part of the journey must be completed on foot, negotiating obstacles such as dense foliage and uneven ground.

To reach the waterfall from the Southern Highway, exit from Kurundugahahetekma and take the Elpitiya Road. From Elpitiya, take the Pituwala – Kahaduwa Road. Traveling 5km on this road, you will see a billboard directing towards Andahelena Ella at the top of the Diwankara Lena Road. This road will end at the Diwankaralena Aranya Senasanaya Monastery. This is a dilapidated road but motorable. You can park the vehicle at the Monastery Entrance. But it’s safer to stop your vehicle at the small open space near a boutique about 250 meters before the temple since the last road segment may be too narrow. From the temple entrance you need to take the footpath through the Beraliya Mukalana forest to reach the waterfall. The length of the footpath is approx 300 meters. Unlike in other waterfalls, a bathing pool lies at the top of the falls.

Being inside an isolated forested area, this location is used by drug addicts and petted thieves. A couple was murdered here by drug addicts in 2013, thus it’s advised not to travel alone. Leaches on the footpath could be a problem during the wet season.

GPS Location – 6.258583, 80.197230

Boutique at the road

Path to the Hermitage

Vehicles parked

Hike started

The stream

Footpath

Along the path

Forest

Cultivation

Stream

Crossing point

Little more to go

Here is she

Little more water than my previous visit to Andahelena Falls

Andahelena Falls

Lovely view

Closer view

Should climb again

At the top

View from the top

Upper pool

Milky

Good Bye Andahelena Falls

Martin Wickramasinghe House and Museum

The house in which Martin Wickramasinghe was born has inspired the Martin Wickramasinghe Trust to established a Folk Museum Complex, surrounded by a restored ecosystem planted with hundreds of varieties of indigenous trees and shrubs in which bird life abounds. The house and the surroundings brings to life a little part of the Koggala which is so vividly depicted in Wickramasinghe’s writings.

Martin Wickramasinghe was born, in the village of Malalgama in 1890. A section of the ancestral home, in which he and his sisters grew up with their parents has survived the rigors of time. The partly renovated house, part of the rear section of which is thought to be nearly 200 years old, is a typical southern abode of the period, with pleasing Dutch architectural features and cool, whitewashed walls and floors paved with square bricks.
The house was taken over by the Royal Air force during World War II, when all villagers in Malalgama and surrounding villages were asked to vacate their houses within 24 hrs. Most homes were demolished to build a seaplane base (the airstrip of which is in use to this day.)

Wickramasinghe’s house miraculously escaped the fate of others in his village. The story goes that this simple house with its subdued architecture caught the eye of a female Air Force officer, and she made it her residence during the military occupation of the area, ensuring its preservation. It was a Catalina aircraft from this base that alerted the British government to the presence of a Japanese fleet, thus ensuring that adequate defensive measures were taken by the military to ward off an attack.

The grass-covered mound to the right of the households his ashes, surmounted by a wedge-shaped rock from the Koggala reef, on which he spent many hours of his day during his childhood. The ashes of his wife Prema are also buried under this mound. An exhibition of memorabilia is housed in a Hall of Life. The Hall of Life tells the story of Wickramasinghe’s life through a series of photographs, awards, and souvenirs.

The Folk Museum was long a desire of the author who wanted to recapture within it the technological and cultural artifacts which were a familiar part of his childhood. The various objects of folk culture acquired during his lifetime have been the starting point of the collection found in the museum, which was opened in 1981.

The Wickramasinghe Trust has developed the museum into a growing repository of artifacts depicting the history of Sri Lankan folk culture, from ancient to modern times in order to remind the people of Sri Lanka of their living rooms. The museum is a fascinating collection of artifacts, from Buddhist artifacts to those which portray the development of rural technology in agriculture, agro-industry, fishing, pottery and metal craft artifacts, various artifacts from folk dances and religious ceremonies and many others. Tastefully presented, the museum offers visitors rare insights into Sri Lankan folk culture.

In providing the backdrop and context to the museum, a Trust brochure states that “Martin Wickramasinghe delved into the life and culture of our people from their early beginning to the present day and through his writings, he identified our folk culture as a resilient bonding substance which has not only prevented our social disintegration and alienation, despite assimilation of elements from a multitude of eastern and western cultures but also molded our collective identity and values as a people. Wickramasinghe’s unceasing intellectual exploration and his creative and critical writings relating to the life and culture of the people of Sri Lanka continued for a period of over 70 years”.
The Folk museum is an ideal place to get to know the author better, to understand a little of what Koggala and its people meant to him. Wickramasinghe’s writings vividly recall the carefree days of his childhood, exploring the marine life in the Koggala reef, playing with his friends from the village, and enjoying the rural solitude of his beloved Koggala. Seated on the steps of Wickramasinghe’s ancestral home, and enjoying the blessed charm of this seven-acre piece of rural paradise, it is easy to understand why this piece of earth nurtured and set ablaze the imagination of one of this country’s greatest writers.

Main name board

Ticket

Memories

More to see

His house

Where he currently lived

Side view

Garden

Madol Duwa – මඩොල් දූව

Koggala is one of the famous tourists attractions places in Sri Lanka. It is located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Visitors can enjoy the boat trips in the lagoon and Koggala Lake to explore other tiny islands and the biodiversity around the Koggala site. Madol Duwa is one of seven islands located on the Koggala Lake. A boat ride down the lake is soothing. When you reach the town of Koggala, you will find many hand-written signs that will lead you towards ‘Madol Duwa’. Madol Duwa is located is just 30 minutes south of Galle. Once you reach the island, you will notice a well-used path that will take you around the island. It is a surprisingly small island that can be explored within a few minutes. However what is most fascinating is that this island blossomed in the imagination of Mr. Wickramasinghe.
Madol Duwa is yet another island whereas it became very well-known through the famous ‘Madol Duwa’ book. This novel was written by Martin Wickramasinghe. He is identified as a most renowned writer in the late 20th century. Martin Wickramasinghe, Sri Lanka’s best-known author of novels and short stories first published the fictional short novel “Madol Duwa” in 1947. Literally translated it means Mangrove Island and has been translated into nine languages and sold over a million copies. The history of Madol duwa book recounts the misadventures of Upali Giniwella and his friends on the Southern coast of Sri Lanka during the 1890s. It later describes the efforts of ‘Upali’ and his friend ‘Jinna’ to lead their lives in a small deserted island. Their struggle to succeed in their lives in the deserted island named Madol Duwa is elaborated through the story. Even the story was made into a film in 1976. Koggala is the hometown of author Martin Wickramasinghe. His birth house has now become the Koggala museum of folk culture consist of wood, furniture, traditional masks and costumes of folk dancers.

Koggala Lake is a very large unspoiled freshwater lake that contains quite a few historical and interesting islands and it is located within a few kilometers away from town. Bird watching at the evening is breathtaking. At the entire lagoon is teamed with prawns and birds. You are allowed to take boat trips and explore the islands around the Koggala Lake. There are heaps of boats around here offering tours. Well worth Madolduwa boat safaris can be arranged in the lake to see the famous island Madolduwa along with the other minor islands. While journeying down the lake you would notice many other islands covered in greenery. From within, bird- calls could be heard momentarily, as they compete with the sound of the motorboat. Prawn catchers patiently wait while meaty prawns make their way to the nets. The boat will slow down from time to time, allowing you to absorb the scenery and the beauty of Madolduwa.

On your way to ‘Madol Duwa,’ these islands will be found. The first island is ‘kathduwa’. When you reach the island Madolduwa there you can see the mangrove roots that girded the island, the thick mud along the shore, and an opening in the rocks that guarded a beach that was almost clear of mud and had a tiny wooden dock. ‘Sekku gala’, the well magnified at Madol Dowa novel is still remaining at Madol Duwa Island. Nowadays it is going to be polluted due to the misbehaviors of the peasantry around the area.

Madol Duwa island has become a famous place in the southern part of Sri Lanka due to remarkable creatures and incidents happened around here. The number of both foreign and local tourists visit Madol Duwa island today. It has become a famous tourist hub that emerged with Madolduwa tourism. Once you have explored the island, head over to a bookshop, and buy a copy of ‘Madol Duwa’. It will definitely help you re-imagine a much familiar landscape that you have visited. And also for sure, it will remain with you as a splendid memory within your tour to Sri Lanka.

Near to the river

Here we go to Madol Duwa

It is there

The river

Mangrove island

The footpath

Nirosh is searching

Old well

Some ruins

Footpath

Return journey from Madol Duwa

Here we are reaching the Galle Road

The Indian ocean

Fishers

The old method

It’s bit dangerous

Water

Waves

People are visiting this place too

They

Dondra Head Lighthouse – දෙවුන්දර තුඩුව ප්‍රදීපාගාරය

Dondra Head Lighthouse is a lighthouse located on Dondra Head, Dondra, the southernmost point in Sri Lanka and is Sri Lanka’s tallest lighthouse, and also one of the tallest in South East Asia. Dondra Head lighthouse is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

The lighthouse is near the village of Dondra, and is approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) southeast of Matara. The name Dondra is a synonym for “Devi-Nuwara” in the local Sinhala language, “Devi” meaning “Gods” and “Nuwara” meaning “City”. Dondra is therefore derived to mean “City of the Gods”.

Dondra Head Lighthouse was designed by Sir James Nicholas Douglass, with construction, by William Douglass of the Imperial Lighthouse Service, commencing in November 1887. All the building materials including the bricks and steel were imported from England. The granite rock was supplied from quarries at Dalbeattie in Scotland and Penryn in Cornwall. The lighthouse was completed and commissioned in March 1890. The combined cost of erection of the lighthouse and the Barberyn Lighthouse was £30,000 and was paid for by dues collected at the Basses lighthouses.

Dondra Head was one of the limited numbers of lighthouses that were designed to house the large Hyperradiant Fresnel lenses that became available at the end of the 19th century. Four of these lenses were used in Sri Lankan lights, all made by Chance Brothers in England.

The lighthouse is 49 m (161 ft) high[3] and contains 7 floors, 14 two-panel yellow color windows, and 196 steps to the top. Dondra Head is also one of four international lighthouses in Sri Lanka. It was modernized in 2000, with the introduction of a Differential Global Positioning System and is a computer linked to the other major lighthouses around the coast.

Sea

Entrance

Here is she

Surrounding

Blue Ocean

Waves

The lighthouse

How tall is it

Another angle

Neighbour

Another view

Over the coconut trees

Path	Over the green

Memories

History

Wish if they permitted to go to the top

Time to leave

Full view

Thank you for reading !

Sobasiri Team ©

There are many mountains situated around the Kurunegala – Dambulla main road and I’m still unable to climb most of them due to the lack of free time and availability. However, I had to visit one of my office friend’s function and I wanted to go there on my motorbike. Since I had enough time to explore the beauties around the road I used that time to explore some mountains over the route and I visited those areas to grab details for future hikes with my friends.

Further, I had a quick hike to Waduwa Ketu gala as it was very easy and I explored the others and were able to identify many known mountains and destinations which were climbed previously too.

Via Badagamuwa Forest

On the way

This part is very much famous on drivers

Under the shades

Kotagala Mountain & Moragasgoda Mountain

When I travelled along the Dambulla road suddenly I saw the Kotagala mountain and turned to the left at the nearest road which directed to the base of the mountain. The road located parallelly to a canal and surrounding was covered by paddy fields. I travelled to a certain distance and noticed another small mountain located near to the Kotagala but in the opposite side of the road. Came to the base of Kotagala and got some information from the boutique at there.

The road to Kotagala and Moragasgoda mountains is the opposite road

Along that road

There is a canal along to this road. Moragasgoda Kanda is on the left side and the Kotagala is on the right side.

Kotagala Kanda seen (left one)

A clear view of Kotagala

Moragasgoda Kanda

The road along with the canal

Moragasgoda (left) and Kotagala (right)

The road

I witnessed

Both mountains have seen again on the way to Dambulla on the main road. The right small one is Moragasgoda and the right one is Kotagala

Seen again with another known one

The Canal

Madahapola Mountain

This is a small mountain that was connected with Karanampotha mountain. There was a mountain range from Madahapola and Karanampotha which is having a grassland ground as seen.

Seen Madahapola Mountain

On the way to the Madahapola

The alone path

This road is mostly to the mountain

Karanampotha Mountain

This was another destination that I need to tick off from my bucket list. This can be identified due to the oval shape of the mountain.

Karanampotha Kanda seen

The range from Madahapola to Karanampotha

Here is the giant

Sub road to the mountain

Turned left from the main road

Karanampotha Kanda

Karanmpotha was seen by passing it

Notice the shape

It’s far away

A closer view from the main road

Beliya Mountain

When I passing Galewela I have noticed the Beliya Mountain from far away as the shape of it. I stopped at a small pond near to the mountain and captured some pics of it too. This was also in my list and hope to experienced these hike in the next couple of years.

Seen far away

Here is she

The pond

It was beautiful

Pano view of the pond

I witnessed

Getting closer

Beliya Kanda

Passed it too

Pano with Beliya Kanda

Manikdena seen

Here is she

Border of Gokarella

Bathing place

Reached Dambulla

Dambulu Gala

Ambokka & Newgala Range seen

Seen on the return journey

Thank you for reading !

Sobasiri Team ©

I planned a trip with my family and relations which is for a one-day adventurous trip. I choose Sembuwatte lake as it is so beautiful and we can enjoy a different beauty while driving through the northern part of Kandy district. We spent our morning at Kelebokka and then the evening at Sembuwatte Lake.

Sambuwatta Lake is a beautiful man-made reservoir located in Elkaduwa, Matale. The lake is bordered by Cambell’s Land forest reserve and situated at an elevation of 1,140 m. The misty and chilly atmosphere with pine trees and tea-covered slopes surrounding the lake make visitors feel relaxed and tranquil.

What puts the lake at the top as a leisure and family travel destination is the plethora of adventure activities available such as zip-lining, swan/motor boat riding, canoeing and hiking. Bathing and swimming in the lake, however, is not allowed since the lake is fairly deep (30 – 40 ft), there is a separate pool built for that purpose.

The road leading to the lake (Sembuwatte Lake Road) off Wattegama – Elkaduwa – Matale road (B461) is not in a favourable condition, especially the stretch that lies beyond the factory. This narrow and winding road stretches about 04 km from the main road to the lake. About 03 km in, there is a dilapidated tea factory (Elakduwa Tea Factory) and a small office, where you should stop to buy tickets.

Long vehicles like 54 seat Leyland buses/Coaches should be parked here. Small vehicles can safely be driven beyond this point up to the lake and park at the lake premises. Owing to the narrowness of the road, it can be heavily congested during holidays.

Essential Information

• Ticket prices 
  • Locals: Rs 200
  • Foreigners: Rs 1,000
• Opening Hours : 08:00 AM – 06: 00 PM
• Accommodation
  • Polo Bungalow :  Rs 15,000  ( 12 pax)
  • The Summer huts:
    • Rs 1000 per person in a group of  min 10 pax
    • For a group less than 10 pax: Rs 7,500

Source – https://www.thingstodosrilanka.com/listing/sembuwatta-lake/

On the way

Mountains far away, Bathalegala and Ura Kanda

More to see

Some more

Unnamed waterfall

It was tall about 20m+

Obstacles, My father and my uncles ready to clear it

I also joined

We cleared it fully

Main Notice

The road to the Lake area

Parking area and the tea factory

Sembuwatte Lake

Kelebokka viewpoint seen

Swarn boats

Its so beautiful

There were many visitors

The area

Surrounding

Through the pines trees

We all tried this zipline

Its enjoyable

The zipline

Our people

With my little princess

Its getting dark

This is our family

Thank you for reading !

Sobasiri Team ©

This was an unforgettable journey for me and my wife as we spend this vacation with our little princess. We planned this for 5 days by locating Nuwaraeliya and we rented a house via contact of our friend Madusanka. And the most wanted experience is the train journey at Expo Rail and Rajadhani Express. Hence we booked Expo Rail to reach Nanuoya and on our return journey, we booked Rajadhani Express. Unfortunately, this luxury train service is not functioning now.

We left in the morning train to Badulla via Expo Rail and it was like a journey at an airplane. Because we received all the meals and treatments from the staff and there was a special area as a view deck. That is an open area on the train and it was fully Air-conditioned and facilitated with a TV and wifi. We booked a house which has 3 rooms, a kitchen, a bathroom and a living room with over 10 perch garden. And that was situated above 2000m at Kalukele at a view of Hakgala, Horton Plains, Conical, Waterfall Point, Single Tree, Kikiliyamana, Piduruthalagala range.

I got the Madusanka’s motorbike for this entire tour and we went to Ambewela via Hakgala, Hawaeliya area, Gardens, Strawberry lands, Nanuoya falls and etc. Since we had our 1 and half year princess we didn’t go for adventures but we roamed around Galwesland National Park. On the final day, we came to Colombo by the Rajadhani Express compartment and it was also a unique served compartment but it is not good than the Expo Rail.

The viewing deck

This is the Expo Rail

Enjoying the experience

Inside the compartment, it was full of passengers

Passing Mirigama

Inside appearance

Surrounding

Scenery

Express Train

Straight line

Another giant on this track

At Peradeniya

Stopped for a rest

The tracks

Leaving now

Enjoying

Environment beauty

Passing Hatton

Hatton-Nuwaraeliya road

Another stop

Have seen the giants

The roof of the compartment

Surrounding

Thalawakele area

The tank

The tail of the train

Interior

Triple tracks

At our rented house, Conical range in back

Nanuoya Falls

There are many visitors

Tea Estate

Some lime houses

On the way to Ambewela

Riding selfie

Kande Ela reservoir and Conical Mountain

Beauty

Another selfie

Beauty

The cows

Scenery

Ambewela farms

Hakgala strict nature reserve

Wind Mills

Cows	The freshness

At the strawberry garden

Pano view of the farm area

Perfect weather and sunshine

More to ride

This is the first time that I saw this giant, Palgasthanna

Here is Palgasthanna Mountain

The summit

Another morning at our house

Nuwaraeliya

A famous bend

Horse bend of Udapussellawa Train

Sripadaya was seen to the Sumana Saman Statue

At Kalukele

Holy peak

Surrounding

My Princess

The name board

The office

Washrooms

The Notice

The museum

Sambar

I was dead at the park

Selfie time

Starting the trail

Father & Daughter

The forest

Mom and Daughter

More to walk

Her adventures

Dry forest

We together

The track

It is the smallest National Park

End of the trail

Trafalgar range

Scenery

Rajadhani Express

Thank you for reading !

Sobasiri Team ©

This is to show the rare beauty of Peak Wilderness forest reserve under heavy storm an rainy season. All of these photos and videos were taken during the off season by few of members at සමනල කන්ද රසික එකමුතුව. They were able to experienced this amazing views during their journey which was had unexpected situation like this. You can see the beauty of Siripa trails from this report asyou don’t need to get this physical experience as it is rare and dangerous.

මෙය වැසි සමයේදී අධික කුණාටුවක් යටතේ සමනල රක්ෂිතයේ දුර්ලභ සුන්දරත්වයයි. මෙම ඡායාරූප සහ වීඩියෝ සියල්ලම අවාර සමයේ දී සමනල කන්ද රසික එකමුතුවේ සාමාජිකයින් කිහිප දෙනෙකු විසින් ලබා ගන්නා ලදී. මේ වගේ අනපේක්ෂිත තත්වයක් ඔවුන්ගේ ගමනේදී අත්විඳීමටත් එමගින් මෙම විස්මිත දසුන් ඔවුන්ට දැකීමටත් හැකි විය. මෙම වාර්තාවෙන් සිරිපා මංපෙත් වල මස වැසි මැද තිබෙන සුන්දරත්වය ඔබට දැක ගත හැකිය. එම නිසා මෙම දුර්ලභ හා භයානක අත්දැකීම් ඔබට භෞතිකව විඳ ගැනීමට ඔබට අවශ්‍ය වන්නේ නැත.

Nallathanniya Bridge

This is the famous bridge that everyone meets on their trail from Nallathanniya. These photos are owned by me.

Under the Nallathanniya Bridge

The Bridge

Scary appearance

Near the Dell house

This is Seetha Gangula

Overflowing

This water will meet Maussakele reservoir

Misty environment

A part of Kelani River

Mapalana Falls

These photos were also taken at the same time where the above Nallathanniya bridge taken. Our uncle was able to capture these pictures and the photos also belong to Sobasiri Team.

Mapalana Fall

Gorgeous

Scary view

Taken from a bit far

Misty environment

Another view

Front View

View from the forest

Misty

It’s flowing further

First part of Kalu River

Mapalana Falls

Mapalana Falls

Mapalana Falls

Closer view

Crazy view

Misty with water

Mapalana Falls

Mapalana Falls

Mapalana Falls

Mapalana Falls

Through the darkness

Final capture

Deraniyagala Bridge overflowing

These photos were also taken at the same day by Malitha Pasan. This river is overflowing and some of the areas nearby also struck for this flood.

Deraniyagala Bridge

Over Flowing

Road disappear

Road closed

Waiting to cross

The scary-looking water level

Nearby lands

Private lands

Maskeliya Oya

This is the famous Maskeliya Oya which is flowing from the Ma Ussa Reservoir by creating Lakshapana Falls. Photos were taken by Rohana Nishantha a friend working at Canyon Power House.

Maskeliya oya near Canyon Station

Maskeliya Oya

Near the fall

Lakshapana Fall

Pandeniya Oya

This is the famous Pandeniya oya which you can meet on your Udamaliboda trail. Photos were taken by Malitha Pasan.

Pandeniya Oya

Scary looking

Water level

Pandeniya Oya

All of the below videos are published on සමනල කන්ද රසික එකමුතුව by it’s members. Most of the videos were captured during the storm which happened in July 2020. Fortunetely, one of the member in that group was at the Nallathanniya trail and he was able to capture this amazing video which most of the travelers didn’t see before.

All the credit goes to the original owners of these videos.

Thank you for reading !

Sobasiri Team ©

Kebiliththa / Maha Siyambalawa Dewalaya (කැබිලිත්ත / මහ සියඹලා දේවාලය) (6.607546, 81.533610)

This is one of the sacred places sacrificed for God Katharagama (කතරගම දෙවියෝ) / Skandha Kumar. Katharagama Dewalaya is the more well-known abode of Katharagama Deviyo where crowds throng in thousands every day to pay their respects.  According to folklore present spiritual residence of Katharagama Deviyo lies in the jungles (exactly at Yala block 3) of south eastern Sri Lanka, where he is spending his time in meditation. It is known as Kebiliththa / Maha Siyambalawa Dewalaya.

Katharagama Deviyo has met his future wife Walli Amma (වල්ලි අම්මා) at this place near a tamarind tree (“Siyambalawa” tree in Sinhalese) from which it derives its name “Siyambalawa Dewalaya”.

“Kebiliththe Kapurala” (කැබිලිත්තේ කපුරාල) was handed over the jewelries of God Katharagama to hide during invasion of Dutch. He hide the treasure in this Tamarind tree and handed over to Katharagama Dewalaya. Kebiliththe Kapu Rala later died after fighting alone with Dutch. After the death he was appointed to look after Kebiliththa.

As Kebiliththa has great divine power, it is advised to visit it as a religious journey and not for fun. Devotees are advised to be vegetarians for at least two weeks and to be refrained from Alcohol as well. There is no permanent Dewalaya at Kebiliththa like Katharagama. Devotees usually spend the night on other side of Kumbukkan Oya and prepare “Muruthan Bath” (මුරුතැන් බත්) and Poojawa for God Katharagama.

There are four well known routes to reach Kebiliththa.

Routes of Kebiliththa

1. Katharagama-> Galge->Yala block 3. The distance from Yala-Galge entrance to Kebiliththa is about 30 km. As Kebiliththa is situated at Yala block 3 it doesn’t need to cross Kumbukkan Oya to reach the place. Currently this route is less used by devotees.
2. Kumana-> Kuda Kebiliththa->Kebiliththa. Distance from Kuda Kebiliththa to Kebiliththa is 34 km. Kumana entrance to Kuda Kebiliththa is 23 km.
3. Katharagama->Yala block 1 & 2-> Menik Ganga->Kumbukkan Oya->Kumana->Kuda Kebiliththa->Kebiliththa. The distance to Menik Ganga from Yala entrance is 18 km and to Kumbukkan Oya from Menik Ganga is 36 km.  Here the trail joins with Kumana route.

Above mentioned three routes are situated within Yala and Kumana national parks. Therefore it needs wild life permission and a ticket to visit Kebiliththa along these routes. And it is essential to have a four wheel drive jeep to reach Kebiliththa.

4. Moneragala->Kotiyagala->Kebiliththa. This route is situated at Kotiyagala forest reserve and doesn’t need wild life permission to enter through it. Therefore a lot of devotees use this route to reach Kebiliththa by tractors. This is the most common route among devotees. The distance is 32 km. At the end it joins with Kumana route just few kilometres before Kebiliththa.

All these routes need to cross Kumbukkan Oya to reach Kebiliththa Dewalaya except Galge route. These roads are so gravel and become extremely muddy after the rain. Therefore it needs four wheel vehicles with good technical skill to accomplish this hard journey.

 My journey to Kebiliththa

Journey to Kebiliththa / Maha Siyambalawa Dewalaya was one of my long awaited travel goals. Due to the difficulty of the routes and cost I had to delay the trip by year by year. This year I requested to go to Kebiliththa from Nipuna who is my friend annually visits Kebiliththa with his team. Nipuna and his team are well experienced with this journey and one of their drivers-Manju has been at Kebiliththa more than hundred times. Their choice of the route is along Kumana national park.

We were asked to be vegetarian and to be refrained from alcohol, smoking and sex for at least 2 weeks prior to the journey. Nipuna has prepared everything for the Poojawa as well as for rest of the days at Kumana.

We left Colombo on 10^th early morning by three vehicles and exit from Mattala gate. On our way to Moneragala we have stopped at Kumbukkana anicut (6.810943, 81.297796) for the breakfast. The rest station at Kumbukkana anicut is situated on side of Kumbukkan Oya and it’s free of charge to have your prepared meals. Other advantage is you can get the idea of water level of Kumbukkan Oya which would be crossed in Kebiliththa journey.

The team at Kumbukkana anicut on our way to Kumana. We had 11 members.

Breakfast at Kumbukkana

Vegetarian breakfast

Okanda Dewalaya comes across closer to Kumana National Park entrance. Okanda is believed as the place where Katharagama Deviyo has arrived in Sri Lanka from India. We have worshiped Okanda Dewalaya before enter Kumana National Park. I have been at Okanda several times including three times for Pada Yathra. The place is free of devotees on that day, might be due to a weekday.

Okanda Dewalaya

Poojawa at Okanda Dewalaya

Bells

At Okanda Dewalaya

Wild animals are used to get food from visitors.

After spending about 400 km we have reached Kumana National Park entrance. Kumana National park has two wild life bungalows and three camp sites for wild life lovers. We have reserved Kirigal Bay bungalow and Thummulla bungalow for spend the time at Kumana National Park and for Kebiliththa journey.

At Kumana entrance

At Kumana entrance

Distances

At Kumana entrance

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Kirigal Bay wild life bungalow is situated facing to Kirigal Bay (කිරිගල් බේ). Kirigal Bay turtle conservation center is also situated next to Kirigal Bay wildlife bungalow. The lunch was ready when we reached to the bungalow. We have prepared all the things we need for next day journey to Kebiliththa.

Kirigal Bay wild life bungalow.

Day 02
We started the journey from Kirigal Bay at 5.30 am and passed Bagure, Bagure Oya, Andarakala Kalapuwa, Itikala Kalapuwa and Kumana Willuwa before we reached Kuda Kebiliththa. Kuda Kebiliththa (කුඩා කැබිලිත්ත) is the junction of Yala-Kebiliththa route and Kumana route. Devotees of Pada Yathra cross Kumbukkan Oya at Kuda Kebiliththa and sometimes they spend the night here. We hold poojawa for Katharagama Deviyo at Kuda Kebiliththa. The distance from Kirigal Bay bungalow to Kuda Kebiliththa is about 17 km.

.	Distances of camp sites from Kuda Kebiliththa.

Jeeps at Kuda Kebiliththa.

Road to Kebiliththa.

At Kuda Kebiliththa.

At Kuda Kebiliththa

Kuda Kebiliththa Katharagama Dewalaya

At Kuda Kebiliththa.

Team at Kuda Kebiliththa.

Journey from Kuda Kebiliththa to Kebiliththa was really adventurous. Initially we have passed camp sites of Kumana: Eda Kumbuka-1, Eda Kumbuka-2 and Gal Amuna. After Gal Amuna camp (ගල් අමුණ) site we have stopped for breakfast. It was really a four wheel drive most of the time after Gal Amuna camp site. But the track was almost dry. In few instances we had to halt and remove some fallen trees to the track. According to Manju there are two difficult places at the path where streams cross the road, named as Alakola Ara (අලකොල ආර) (6.36316, 81.36216) and Gal Ara (ගල් ආර) (6.36499, 81.33336). Luckily we were able to cross these two places without any major incidence. When you look at the Google map most of the time the path goes parallel to Kumbukkan Oya in right side bank. It really needs good driving skill to drive along this track.

Dry Kumbukkan Oya

Breakfast at Kumbukkan Oya

Fallen trees to the path

Fallen trees to the path

.	One of our jeeps

The track

The track

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.	Another place where a tree has fallen on the track

After crossing Alakola Ara

Team at Alakola Ara. Our driver Manju is also there.

.	Road side ruins

Crossing Gal Ara

After few kilometres from Gal Ara, Kumana route joins with Kotiyagala road. Before that we left the border of Kumana NP and entered Kotiyagala Forest Reserve. Thereafter the road lies at Kotiyagala Forest Reserve till we reached Kumbukkan Oya where Kebiliththa camp site is situated.

Leaving Kumana Territory

Two roads join here

Pins of the route from Kuda Kebiliththa to Kebiliththa.

After about six hours journey we have reached Kebiliththa and it was not that much crowded as it was a weekday. Kebiliththa Dewalaya and Tamarind tree are situated other side of Kumbukkan Oya. First we had a bath at Kumbukkan Oya and changed into white dresses. We carried all necessary items for Poojawa and crossed the river. Kebiliththa is situated at Yala block 3. There was a designated place to prepare
“Muruthan Bath”. We followed rituals as much as possible in preparing Poojawa. (Covering head and mouth by a white cloth) I have observed some devotees make seven holes in the river bank to get water to prepare Muruthan Bath. First we have worshiped the Bo tree at Kebiliththa and then made Poojawa to Katharagama Deviyo. There are no third party between us and god like Katharagama Dewalaya. Historical Tamarind tree is situated few meters away from Kebiliththa Dewalaya. The wild elephant called “Maddu” (මද්දු) is used to eat fruits of Poojawa. We also fed him with fruits.

Crossing Kumbukkan Oya to other side. We were lucky to have less water level.

Preparing Muruthan Bath.

Preparing Muruthan Bath.

Preparing Pooja Watti.

What we prepared

For Katharagama Dewiyo

“Muruthan Bath”

Kebiliththa Bo tree.

Kebiliththa Bo tree.

The place where people hold Poojawa for Katharagama Dewiyo. There are no permanent constructions here. A small Tamarind tree can be seen at the center.

.	Here you have to cut fruits at Pooja Watti and present to God.

A lot of faith.

A lot of faith.

A statue of God Katharagama.

පොල් ගහන තැන

Historical Tamarind tree. This is the place where Katharagama Dewiyo has met Walli Amma. It is not allowed to light oil lamps here for the protection of tree.

Katharagama Dewiyo.

Maddu was the special guest here.

Posed with Maddu.

We were lucky to finish Poojawa without any problems. Usually devotees camp at Kebiliththa overnight and hold early morning Poojawa. This was another accomplishment of one of my travel goals and should thank to other team members for helping it. We were able to return to Kirigal Bay bungalow in four hours time with hope of another happening two days in Kumana National Park.

Devotees at Kumbukkan Oya bank in preparing “Muruthan Bath”

They usually dig seven holes on the bank to get water.

Getting back to Kebiliththa camp site.

In return journey.

කද සුරිදු පිහිටයි.

Angammedilla National Park (අංගම්මැඩිල්ල ජාතික වනෝද්‍යානය) is one of the new national parks in Sri Lanka. The region was designated national park on 6 June 2006. Originally Angammedilla was a forest reserve within the Minneriya-Girithale Sanctuary declared on 12 February 1988. The park is declared mainly to protect the drainage basin of Parakrama Samudra. Angammedilla also secures the drainage basins of Minneriya and Girithale irrigation tanks, water sources in Sudu Kanda (Sinhala for “White hill”) and habitats and wildlife of the adjacent forests. It is located 225 kilometres (140 mi) away from Colombo in Polonnaruwa District. (source – Wikipedia)

This July (post COVID19 era) we went to Girithale and on our Girithale visit we got a chance to explore Angammedilla park which is not a popular tourist destination. Our access was through Diyabeduma (Aththankadawala side). When we arrived at the park entrance we were told that no guide would be given due to prevailing CORONA risk so we had to go all alone which seemed bit risky but fortunately a jeep driver volunteered to accompany us.

Our first destination was Raja bemma and the nearby camp site. The Bemma is around 400m’s from park entrance where the new anicut is located. Few hundred meters away from the Raja bemma one could find the first camp site which is a lovely location close to the stream(Radavige oya).

Angammedilla Gal Amuna (stone weir) also known as Rajabemma creates one of the main feeders to Parakrama Samudraya. This weir is credited to king Parakramabahu (1153-1186) who had tapped the water of Amban Ganga (river) to his Parakrama Samudraya Reservoir. (source- Amazinglanka)

Name board

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Raja bemma

diversion

Amban ganga seperated from a D.S era concrete dam

thimbiri

path towards first camp site

camp site 1

lovely camp site

new bunt

.

We returned back to the entrance and asked Lal to accompany us for the rest of the journey. It was a long ride through the forest canopy until we reached a rock at the western shores of Parakrama samudraya. Actually we weren’t expecting to see any wild life at all because it was 12p.m. but to our surprise there was a heard of elephants hanging around the grassy plains of the dried out lake bed. The rock where we halted our vehicle also had some ruins too.

entering the park

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makulla

halted at the rock

.	parakrama samudraya

bird life

dimbulagala

Elephants at noon

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On the rock

on our return journey  we payed a visit to Mahaiyawa wewa which lied at the base at Sudu kanda range. and at this isolated location there was a lovely camp site too. Though this was a short ill prepared journey we enjoyed it a lot.

2nd camp site

Mahiyawa wewa

.	Mahiyawa wewa

tranquility

On our way back we did pay a visit to the wildlife museum at Girithale too.

Girithale lake

Girithale lake

Girithale wild life museum

specimens

specimens

This was the first official trip I had after joining. This was to Habarana Village by Cinnamon for 3 days and we have enjoyed a lot and I and two of my friends had a small adventure on massive Habarana lake as it was fully dried. We walk around the lake and crossed it and again walked for nearly 2Km on the river to explore the atmosphere to get an understanding of the status of a dried lake.

It was very sad to see that all the fish died and there was nothing on the river and it was also damaged due to the heavy sunlight. After we explore this we had a safari trip to Minneriya national park to see elephants.

Habarana is a charming city belonging to the Anuradhapura District in the north-central region of Sri Lanka. Being located in a major road junction, Habarana is very close to Sigiriya and is a perfect stop for nature lovers. Habarana is also the starting point of departure for safari trips to Minneriya and Kaudulla national parks, which offer some of the island’s best elephant-watching.

The main attraction in Habarana is the beautiful Habarana Lake. The small footpath around it makes it possible to have a calm walk around it. You can get an elephant ride in the lake area. The area is surrounded by lush greenery and wilderness. A walk around it will give you a chance to watch many interesting creatures. A place situated not far from the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya and the Dambulla Cave temple, Habarana attracts those who are interested in a day excursion. The area is a paradise for those who love history and wildlife.

This is the only part of the water at the corner of the lake

Only water

See the shape

The corner

I was planning the journey

Its too hot

Burning sky

Journey started

Pure Stray

The ground of the lake

No fishery life

Time for me

The status of the lake ground

Closer view

Died	Another one

Its too hot also

Clear sky

There were many

Me and the friends

Many died fish

Dry tree

Parts of the fish

No water

Dried Habarana Lake

No leaves

Dried

The beautiful tree

More to go

I was there

There are elephant rides around the lake

They are enjoying

A giant

Tourism

Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park (Sinhala: මින්නේරිය ජාතික වනෝද්‍යානය, romanized: Minnēriya Jātika Vanōdyānaya; Tamil: மின்னேரியா தேசிய வனம், romanized: Miṉṉēriyā Tēciya Vaṉam) is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park on 12 August 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.[1] The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in the forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts. The park earned revenue of Rs. 10.7 million in the six months ending in August 2009.[2] Along with Kaudulla and Girithale, Minneriya forms one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of Sri Lanka.[3] The park is situated 182 kilometers (113 mi) from Colombo.      Info – Wikipedia

Safari started

There were many

Shadow art

Dried

Elephants

Under the burning sky

Grass also bit dried

Giants are roaming

Over the sky

They were at Minneriya lake

The only tree

Over 50 elephants

Minneriya Lake

Stunning

Safari is on

Time to leave

Back to the entrance

Thank you for reading !

Sobasiri Team ©

This hike was planned by Nirosh as he has noticed this place according to a blog post. After I joined with him at Bandaragama we headed to the location and parked our bike near a village house and walked along the footpath. There was a small path but it is not much clear. However, within a few minutes, we were able to reach the cave complex, and the environment and the caves are really attractive and beautiful. Below is the blog post that Nirosh kept and we followed.

Galmulla Caves – 6.750687, 80.157896

ඉංගිරිය ගල්මුල්ල ගල්ගුහා ගවේෂණය

ඉංගිරිය ගල්මුල්ල ගල්ගුහා පිහිටා තිබෙන්නේ කලුතර දිස්ත්‍රික්කයේ, ඉංගිරිය ප්‍රාදේශීය ලේකම් කොට්ඨාසයේ, නිමළගම ග්‍රාම නිලධාරී වසමේය. පිවිසිය හැකි ආකාරය ඉංගිරිය නගරයේ සිට හොරණ දෙසට කිලෝමීටරයක් පමණ පැමිණ රිනවුන් ගරාජය ඉදිරිපිට ඉසුරුපුර මාර්ගයේ කිලෝමීටර් බාගයක් පමණ ගමන් කළ විට හමුවන බුදු පිළිමය අසලින් වමට හැරී මීටර් සීයක් පමණ ඉදිරියට ගොස් ඔරලෝසු තටාකය අසලින් දකුට හැරී මද දුරක් ගොස් නවගම්මානය අසලින් වනගත කන්ද නැග ගොස් ගල්මුල්ල පෙදෙසට ලගාවිය හැකිය. වැදගත්කම වනුයේ ඓතිහාසික ගල්ගුහා කිහිපයක් වීමයි. ඇදුරාගල ගල්ගුහා සංකීර්ණයටම නෑකම් කියයි. ගල්මුල්ල ප්‍රධාන ගල්ගුහාව අවට කුඩා වටිනා ස්වභාවික වනාන්තරයකි.

රයිගම් කෝරළයේ සැඟවුණු ඓතිහාසික හා පාරිසරික වැදගත් කමක් ඇති ස්ථාන ගවේශනය කරන අප කේසර සගයින්ගේ ඊළග ගවේශන චාරිකාව වූයේ ගල්මුල්ල ගල්ගුහා ආශ්‍රිත කලාපය ගවේශනය කිරීමය. අපේ සගයින් ඉංගිරිය ඔරලෝසු තටාකය අසලට රැස්විය. ජානක තරංග, නුවන් සුජීව රණසිංහ, සංගීත් මධුසංක, චමත් දුල්ශාන්, සචිත් ජීවන්ත හා මාර්ග දර්ශනයෙන් ඉසුරු පුර ඩබ්ලිව්. රත්නපාල මාමාද අප හා එක්විය.
ඔරලෝසු තටාකයෙන් මුහුණ කට දොවා ගත අප උදෑසන ආහාරය ගෙන, චාරිකාව අරඹනු වස් ගමන් මලුද කරදා ගතිමු. පෙරමුණු ගත්තේ රත්නපාල මාමාය. එතුමා ඉංගිරිවත්තේ දීර්ගකාලයක් කන්කානම් වශයෙන් සේවයෙහි නිරතව සිටි අයෙකි. මෙම කලාපය ගැන අතැඹුලක්සේ දන්නා එතුමාගේ පිටුපසින් අපි ගමන් කරන්නට වීමු. මාධ්‍යවේදී මහතෙක්ද අප හා එක්විය.

ගොඩැලි කිහිපයක් පසු කර අපි ගල්මුල්ල කන්ද අසලට පැමිණියෙමු. ඉන්අනතුරුව අපේ ගමන් සගයින් තමන් විසින් ගෙනා නිල් සබන් කකුල් වල හොඳින් ගාන්නට වුයේ ගල්මුල්ල පෙදෙසේ අඩුවක් නොමැතිව සිටින කූඩැල්ලන්ගෙන් ගැලවීමටය. කූඩැල්ලන්ට තරමක හෝ ප්‍රතිචාර දැක්වූයේ එම සබන් වර්ගය පමනි.

ඉතින් අප රබර් වතුයාය මැදින් ඉදියට ගමන් කරන්කරන්නට විය. අප දුටු කිරි කපමින් සිටි කාන්තාවක් මහත් කුතුහලයෙන් අප දෙස බැලීය. නමුත් රත්නපාල මාමා ඔවුන් අමතා අප ගල්මුල්ල ගල්ගුහා තරණය කිරීමට යන බව පැවසීමෙන් ඒ කුතුහලය මදක් සමනය විය. අතීතයේ ඉතාම කාර්ය බහුල ලොකු ආදායමක් ගත් වත්තක් වූ ඉංගිරියවත්ත ඒ. එජ් ඩී සොයිසා මහතාට අයත්ව තිබිණ. හෙතෙම පානදුරේ සුප්‍රකට ධනවතෙකි. නමුත් රජයට පවරා ගැනීමෙන් පසු එහි ක්‍රියාකාරීත්වය දුර්වල විය. වත්තෙන් විශාල පෙදෙසක් ඉංගිරිය නව නගර සැලැස්මට අනුගතව එළිපෙහෙලිවිය. තවත් කොටසක ජනතාව පදිංචි කළේය. ගම්උදා ඇතිවය. මේ සියල්ල නිසා ඉංගිරිය වත්ත අභාවයට ගියේය. සොයිසා වත්ත නමින්ද හැදින්වෙන්නේ මෙම වත්තමය.

ඉන් අනතුරුව අප අවතීර්න වූයේ වනගත පෙදෙසෙටය. ඉහළට එසවීගිය තුරු මුදුන්වට මූවා වී එන හිරු එළිය ග්‍රහණය කර ගනිමින් යටිරෝපණය සරුවට වැඩී ඇත. අප එකිනෙකට වෙලී ඇති කුඩා ගස් හා වැල් වලන් බේරි ඉදිරියට ගමන් කිරීම අපහසු කාරණයකි. ඒවන විට අප ඉදිරියට යමින් සිටි අඩිපාර මිනිසුන් වැඩිපුර ගමන් නොකර නිසා මැකී යමින් තිබිණ. අපි ගල්මුල්ල ප්‍රධාන ගල්ගුහාවට ආසන්න වෙත්ම කළබලයට පත් මීමින්නෙක් අප අසලින් දිවගියේය. මින් පෙර මීමින්නෙක් ජීවමානව මෙතරම් ආසන්නයෙන් අප දැක තිබුනේ නැත.

රත්නපාල මාමා නොවන්නට ඒ අඩි පහර හරහා වැටී ඇති වල් උරන් නිතර ගමන් කිරීමෙන් ඇති කල පාරවල ගොස් මන්මුලාවනු නිසැකය. අප වෙහෙසරකර ගමනකින් යුතුව ගල්මුල්ල ප්‍රධාන ගල්ගුහාවට ලඟාවීමු. එය පළලින් අඩි එකසිය පණහක් පමණ පලල්ය. බිමට ගල් පතුරු අල්ලා මනාව සකසා ඇත. ගුහා අභ්‍යන්තරය අඩි හැටක් පමණ පළල්ය. මෑත කාලයේ භික්ෂූන් වහන්සේ නමක් මෙම ගල්මුල්ල ප්‍රධාන ගල්ගුහාවේ වාසය කර ඇත. උන් වහන්සේට ඇතිවූ ගැටළුවක් නිසා උන්වහන්සේ මෙම ගල් ගුහාව අතහැර වෙනත් ස්ථානයකට වැඩම කර ඇත. උන් වහන්සේගේ දිවි පහසුව පිණිස පුංචි පුංචි නිර්මාණයන් තනාගෙන ඇත. මෙම ගල්ගුහාව උඩ කොටස් කටාරම් කොටා ඇත්තේ පුරාණයේ මෙම ගල්ලෙන භික්ෂු ආරණ්යයක්ව තිබෙන්නට ඇතැයි සැක සිතීමට කටයුතු යෙදෙමින. අතීත මානවයින්ගේ පවුල් කිහිපයක්ම මේ ගල්ලෙනේ වෙසෙන්නට ඇත.

ගල්ගුහාවේ සිරි නැරඹු අප ගල්ගුහාවේ නැගෙනහිර බෑවුමේ පිහිටි තවත් කුඩා ගල්ගුහාවක් වෙත ගමන් කළෙමු. මෙහි අතීත මිනිසුන්ගේ ගල් මෙවලම් කිහිපයක් යැයි සැකකළ හැකි පාෂාන කැබලි අපට එහිදී දිස්විය. ඉන් ඉහළට ගමන් කළ යුතුව ඇත්තේ මිනිස් පහස එතරම් නොලබන වනගත කොටසටය. ඉංගිරිය නගරයේ ජනාකීර්ණ බව වැඩි වෙත්ම සතුන්ට වාසස්ථාන අහිමිවිය. ඒ බොහෝ සතුන් කොටුවී ඇති ක්ෂේම භූමියක් ලෙස මෙම ගල්මුල්ල වනය දැක්විය හැකිය. රත්නපාල මහතාට අනුව, වල්උරන්, හඳුන් දිවියන්, මීමින්නන්, ඉත්තෑවන්, හෝතඹුවන්, මුගටියන් සහ විවිධ කුරුළු වර්ග රැසක් මේ පෙදෙස සිය අභයභූමිය කරගෙන ඇත. ඉඳහිට පැමිනෙන දඩයක්කාරයෙක්ගෙන් හැරෙන්නට මෙම සතුන්ගේ දිවියට හිරිහැරයක් නොමැත.

ගල් මුල්ල ප්‍රධාන ගල්ගුහාවට ඉහලින් තවත් දිගැති ගල්ගුහාවක් විය. එය වෙත ගමක් කළ යුතු වූයේ වල් ඌරන් විසින් සකසන ලද අඩිපාරක ඔස්සේ කුදු ගැසී ගමන් කරමිණි. බට පදුරු අතරින් ඇතැම් තැන් වලිදී බඩගාමින් ගමන්කළ අපි වැඩි දෙනෙක්ගේ ඇස නොගැටෙන දිගැති ගල්ගුහාවක් වියත එය අවට කොස්ගස් කිහිපයක් හා කොහිල ගාලක් විය. අතීතයේදී මෙහි කිසිවෙක් හෝ වසය කරන්නට ඇතැයි සිතිය හැකි සාධක පැවතියේය.

මෙම වනගත පෙදෙස දකිනවිට අප හිත් පැවසුවේ මේ කුඩා නමුත් වටිනා පාරිසරික කලාප මතු පරපුර උදෙසා රක්ෂිතයක් යැයි ප්‍රකාශයට පත්ව ආරක්ෂා කරගත යුතුබවය.

සැකසුම – www.ingiriyacity.lk
සටහන – ජානක තරංග ආරියරත්න
http://www.ingiriyacity.lk/blog/

Journey started

Environment

Green

Obstacles

Beauty

Flowers

Beauty

Beauty

Beauty

Cave Complex

Inside

Rocks

Ruins

View

Nirosh was there

Bit long

Well maintained

Sleeping beds

Surrounding

Nature

A small one

From the rocks

Darkness

Environment

Beauty

Beauty

Difficult hike

Beauty

Beauty

Spider

Walking

Beauty

Tasty

More

Fresh

Surrounding

Something to next

Heading to the next attraction

Kaluwala falls is not a famous place and there are some police cases happened on this area hence we contacted a known person to reach this place and it was really beautiful and attrative.

The fall

Width

Full view

Kaluwala Falls

Side view

The stream

Surrounding

Clear

On the top

Clear

How beautiful it is

Colors

Cool water

Time to leave

Pano

Pano

Thank you for reading !

Sobasiri Team ©

Labuheladola Waterfall chain is a hidden waterfall in the area as there is a risky path but we were get notified of this from one of our contact at the Gawawragiriya. After that, he was able to give the exact details of the area and the path and advised us to be more careful as the path is too risky.

However, we followed the path by listening to the sound of the water and able to reach the stream carefully. After that, we went along the stream and found a few small waterfalls.

GPS – 6.647580, 80.282781

The mountain

One of the tallest fall of the chain

The area

Beginning

Cascades

The Environment

The darkness

Forest area

The beauty of the darkness

Another cascade

Another one

The Life

More to go

Bunch of cascades

Little things

Beauty

Another one

Another one

Obstacles

Slow shutter

Beauty

Creations

Little giants

Nearest Mountain

Gonamagula Fall

GPS – 6.649968, 80.282746

Here is she

Totally dried

Here is the fall

Dried

Side part

Environment

Seen again

Little cascades

Stones

Stream

Man made

The Beauty

Here is our new member

Thank you for reading !

Sobasiri Team ©

We have visited the Bulathkohupitiya area recently while we going to another function of one of our friends. It was a clear day and had enough water level to feel nature’s voice in this magnificent environment. We have visited several waterfalls and fortunately, there was enough water at this time. Also, we have climbed up to the Olu fall and caught the amazing beauty hidden at the top area.

Refreshed Morning

Wee oya Waterfall

Lower cascades

Slow shutter beauty

The environment

Beauty

Another view of it

Through the leaves

Green Lights

Little bit dangerous bridge

The view

Time to leave

The view

Fall with the environment

Captured

Kithul Fall

Another view

Thak god there was little water flow

This was situated on the road

The Red Hunter

Valuable Plants

Punugala Falls

Goraka Falls

View from far away

Falling on the rock surface

Olu Falls

Lower cascades

Slow shutter view

Milky waves

The bridge

Beauty

Wall art

Small cascades

Flowers

The name board

Wawulagala

The Carpet

Result at the top

The beauty

Milky view

Upper Olu Falls

Side view

Here is she

Darkness

Iced water

Through nature

Flowers

Small cascades

The view

Malalpola Falls

Beauty

The view

Thank you for reading !

Sobasiri Team ©

Dodan Falls

This 53m-high fall cascades in two sections. At either side of the upper segment, there are two elephant trunk-shaped stone arches. The fall’s source is the Devipahala Ela Canal, which flows through Demalegama village before pouring off a rock ledge. The surrounding wooded area contains herbal plants such as ruliya, hathmetiya, vitex attissima and helapeda. Diverse species of wildlife can also be found here, including wild boar and deer.

The site was used for the filming of a Sri Lankan motion picture, ‘Inspector Champa’. Local villagers believe the area may be of some archaeological significance too – the ancient caves of Batawita and Batalena in Kuruwita, where early humans once lived, are nearby. If the relevant authorities investigated, it is thought that many buried secrets could be unearthed.

Take the Colombo – Ratnapura road and turn right at Higashena bazaar, down Devipahala road. Continue for 5km to find the fall, which is situated along the route that also leads to Bopath Falls.

Text from Ashan’s report

The guard over there

The surrounding

Here we came

The view from the top

Cascades

Crystal clear

There are few

The water level is a bit low

Here is she

Fall

Another view

Rocks

Main part

The stream

Cascades

Beauty

Blowing

Another view

Bathing place

The beauty of the nature

There were people

Flowers

Surrounding

This might be amazing during rainy days

Final view of the stream

Bopath Ella – බෝපත් ඇල්ල

GPS Location – 6.801740, 80.369371

The name “Bopath Ella” has been given to the waterfall because of its shape. The water flows through a narrow gap in the rocks and then widens, forming the shape of a leaf of a “Bo” tree which is the Sinhalese name for sacred fig (Ficus religiosa). “Path” means leaves of a tree and “Ella” means waterfall. Virgin forests with a rich biodiversity surround the waterfall.

Bopath Ella is 30 metres (98 ft) high. It is formed from the Kuru Ganga, which is a tributary of the Kalu Ganga. Its mean rate of flow is 6 square metres (65 sq ft) per second, and its catchment area receives an average rainfall of 5,080 millimetres (200 in) annually. Water from the falls is used for paddy cultivation. Bopath Ella is also the most comprehensively studied waterfall in the country.

Bopath Ella is a major tourist attraction in Sri Lanka, since it is not far from the capital, Colombo, and is easily accessible. There have been unsuccessful attempts to use the waterfall to generate hydroelectricity. The path to the waterfall is lined with a number of shops and stalls, and it is somewhat polluted because of this commercialization.

Stories and myths

The waterfall has been used for bathing by ancient rulers of the country when they visited the nearby Maha Saman Devale in Ratnapura. It is also believed that the deity Saman has appeared here.

There are several myths associated with Bopath Ella. One such belief is that a local village girl jumped into the waterfall and killed herself when her lover abandoned her. He was reputedly a pilgrim from Colombo who failed to return to the pregnant girl. The girl’s ghost is said to haunt the waterfall and appears as blue light. Another popular belief among the locals is that there is an ancient treasure trove hidden in the waterfall and that one thousand human sacrifices are required to get it.

Source – Wikipedia

Here is she

Have to cross the stream

Closer view

Shape of Bo leave

Nature

More Views

Nature

Reaching there

Sudagala Falls /සුදාගල ඇල්ල

GPS – 6.807039, 80.381757

You can reach the waterfall on the way to Kuruvita – Batathota road where the famous Batathota cave located. This was a famous area among the villagers as a bathing place. There are safe places to have a bath and try to not to pollute the environment.

Amazing nature

Here is she

Closer view

A visitor

This looks like Rangala pool

Clearwater

Nature

The stream

Rajanewa Falls

My first visit – http://trips.lakdasun.org/client-visit-at-udawalawa-nivithigala.htm

Here is she

Flowers

There were some water

The view

Rajanewa Falls

Greeny area

Surrounding

Top part

Over the leaves

Time to leave

Thank you for reading !\

Sobasiri Team ©

I had an opportunity to spent 3 days at Ampara since AAT Sri Lanka opens their 7th branch at Ampara. Since I’m the route planner and mapper I suggest leaving from Ampara to Kandy after the branch opening since I wanted to have a different road to reach Kandy. However, we left Ampara around 12 noon and had a bath at Ampara tank, and spent around half an hour over there.

After that, we took the Inginiyagala Bibile road as I wanted to see some mountains and I was lucky to identify a mountain which I was searching at that time. It was a part of the mountain which I saw on a song ok Sokari film of Jackson Anthony. By the time we all seen beautiful areas passing Namaloya reservoir, Gal oya valley national park to Bible. Once we came to Bibile we had our lunch and the time was about 3 pm at that time.

After that, we headed to Kandy and I have chosen the Raja Mawatha which is known Randenigala road. I wanted to see some wild elephants but couldn’t. We stopped our van at several places to see Loggal oya, Minipe Canal, Rantambe, and Randenigala reservoir. And we headed to Kandy via Victoria dam and more on.

It was a simple trip but we have seen many mountains and attractions on this scenic drive from Ampara to Kandy. We reached Kandy around 6 pm and entered our famous hotel, Olde Empiror

The Identity of Ampara

Clock Tower

Ampara Tank is next to Guruhela Ela and is located in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. Ampara Tank has a length of 9.22 kilometres.

Ampara Tank

Soldiers of the tank

The pagoda

The road

The entrance to the pagoda

The view of the road

We are leaving

Ampara Tank

Had a lovely bath

Nice place

The giants

Boats for fishing

Scenic

The giants

Mid of the tank

The highest point of the mountain valley

Ranges

More mountains

More to capture

Landscape

Waving

Waves under the shadows

The point

It’s in the afternoon

Time for a selfie

The fence

Not clear now

Heading to Bibile

Landscape

Beware of Elephants

More to see

I’m near to the driver seat

Another tank

Scenic road

Turning points

Heading to Bibile

Woow	What a road

Namal Oya Reservoir is a reservoir(s) and is located in Sri Lanka. The estimated terrain elevation above sea level is 86 metres. Namaloya Reservoir… pass this on your way from Nilgala to Senanayake Samudraya.. nice place to stop by and enjoy the view or have lunch, if you are lucky, you might be able to spot elephant swim in the evening.

Entering a beautiful area

Namaloya reservoir

Giants at Namaloya reservoir

Beautiful road

The road over Namaloya reservoir

More to go

Some known giants

Zoomed view

More to go

Capture

Clean and tidy

Turning

Under the forest

Galoya valley national park

Through the park

More to go

Beware of elephants

Signs

Mountains

No vehicles

Innocent students

Some known hills

Added to the future

Couple mountains

The picture that I saw in the Sokari film’s song

Part of viyanhela

This mountain identified in a song of Sokari Film

Love it

Part of the range

Looks like at the mid

Heading to Bibile

More to go

Silence roads

We are alone

How beautiful

Heading via Randenigala

The road

The giants

The central valley is seen

Another famous area

Nice and calm

The famous canal

Capturing some pics

It’s beautiful

Selfie time

AAT vehicle

Wondering during the rainy season

Entering now

Loggal Oya is situated along Mahiyangana Road in the Uva Province. Loggal Oya is in the Uva region of Sri Lanka is next to the Loggaloya reservoir. A beautiful large lake with shady banks. Boat rides can be arraigned by chatting with the local fishermen. Convenient access via Kandy. The reservoir is on the side of the main road. Not good for bathing unless in designated areas. Lovely area for bird watching mainly water birds. If into cycling or trekking the region offers a lot to explore.

The giants

Loggal oya

Blue water

Central hills

The loggal oya

Giants at Kandeketiya side

Giants over the loggal oya

More to go

Heading to Kandy

The upcountry seen

The Randenigala Dam (Sinhala: රන්දෙනිගල වේල්ල) is a large hydroelectric embankment dam at Rantembe, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Construction of the dam began in November 1982 and was completed in approximately 4 years. The dam and power station were ceremonially opened by then-President J. R. Jayawardene in 1986.

Construction of the dam cost approximately Rs. 4.898 billion (1986), of which 24.6% (Rs. 1.207 billion) was funded by the local government, and the majority of the remainder by Germany.

The Randenigala Dam has located 19 km (11.8 mi) downstream of the Victoria Dam, and 2.8 km (1.7 mi) upstream of the Rantembe Dam. Randenigala measures 94 m (308 ft) in height, 485 m (1,591 ft) in length, with a crest and base width of 10 m (33 ft) and 303 m (994 ft) respectively. The embankment dam is made mostly of rocks and consists of a clay core.

Three large controlled tainter gate chute spillways, with a combined discharge volume of 8,100 m3/s (290,000 cu ft/s), are constructed at the southern end of the dam. The three spillways measure 270 m (886 ft) in length, with a combined width of 48 m (157 ft).

The dam creates the Randenigala Reservoir. With a catchment area of 2,330 km (1,450 mi) and a total storage capacity of 861,000,000 m3 (3.04×1010 cu ft), Randenigala is one of the largest reservoirs in the country.

The reservoir experiences approximately 1,250–3,000 mm (49.21–118.11 in) of rainfall annually. In addition to this, the reservoir is also topped up with water from the Victoria Reservoir upstream, and the Mahaweli River.

The power station is located immediately downstream of the dam, on the left bank. Water from the reservoir is delivered to the power station via a single steel-lined tunnel with a length and diameter of 270 m (886 ft) and 6.2 m (20.3 ft) respectively.

The plant consists of two generators with a rated capacity of 63 MW each, powered by two Francis turbines. The units were commissioned in August and September 1986 respectively. At a combined capacity of 126 MW, the plant generates 428 GWh annually.

Source- Wikipedia

Entering Randenigala tank

Near Randenigala Dam

The giants over the dam

Time to witness

Someday I will be there

Giants of VRR

Designs

Man made

The dam

Spent few minutes

The beauty

Imagine the size of the dam and the depth of the tank

VRR paradise

Like a staircase

Small islands

More

Time to leave

AAT Vehicle

Heading over Victoria dam

Some known mountains at behind

Randenigala range

Witnessed environment

Thank you for reading !

Sobasiri Team ©

This was an unforgettable trip had by the three of us. This took 3 days and covered 4 provinces as we have started our journey from Kadiyanlena falls and end up with Duwili Falls at Neluwa. This is one of our favorite trips as we were able to cover many waterfalls and places. Especially apart from this tour I couldn’t able to roam around Rakwana or Deniyaya areas.

We had a plan to visit waterfalls and we followed the route map by our motorcycles and were able to cover all the targeted places without any issue. Since I had only a compact camera Sony, WSC series one we were unable to take some photographs of roadside waterfalls due to the battery level and rainy situation.

This report will show the areas that we have covered during the 3rd day after waking up at the Guest House – Rakwana. Our first target was the Morning side and we followed a difficult route to the morning side.

• Handapan Fall
• Galdola Fall
• Sooriyakanda Bends
• Morning Side
• Hathmale Fall
• Duwili Fall

Handapan Falls/ Plains and Galdola Falls

This is the first time that I saw these beautiful Handapan falls and the plain since it was not a rainy day the water level is a bit low. However, we went up to a bungalow which is the nearest view of the falls and turned back to the Rakwana town. And then we had to find a place to spend the night and we were able to see the Galdola falls too.

Handapan Plains and the forest area

Mountain range

Clear Sky

Handapan Ella

Handapan Falls

The plain

Beautiful Bungalow

Another view

At a stream

Malith was there

The valley

Galdola Falls

Tourism board Bungalow

When we searching for a good place to spend the night found this beautiful location and were able to arrange one room for three of us. Food and rooms are quality and there were only us hence we spent some time in the night discussing about the journey and tomorrow plan.

Entrance of the Guesthouse

The guest house

The view

Akila with our machines

Malith is posing

Guesthouse

Dining area

It is a calm place

Menu card

The view

Sooriyakanda 10 bends

This is also my first time being at Sooriyakanda 10 bends, unfortunately, I didn’t have any idea to capture many photos of this amazing road though we have enjoyed the views and the other attractions and the silent forest. Also, we heard some stories about this road which happened in the past and that may be a reason for us not to stop the bicycles during the ride. However, we stopped our bike at a area and took some photos with the help of my tripod and camera.

Roads to follow

We three at Sooriyakanda bends

Another pose

Missing my tripod and the camera

Morning Side

We didn’t have any plan to follow this route or the other route. However, since we met this entrance first we thought to use this route to the Morning side. Though we thought this can be reached by bicycles we had to park our vehicles near the tea estate and informed tea pluckers and walked about 6-7km to the Morning side. Morning side is a beautiful area and we were able to find a doggy for guiding us and we had faced many obstacles such as venous snakes, plenty of leeches on our naked legs, mist with the darkness, lack of drinking water, massive hunger.

Entrance of the Morning side

Name boards

The road with bends

Riding and riding

No more bikes, have to walk

Mountains

Akila is in action

More mountains

Time for my picture, Sooriyakanda towers behind

Beautiful road under the shadows

More to go

Our guide

Sinharajaya forest and Handapan Plains at right

Entering the heaven

Love to walk

Fantastic view

Another pose

Return journey

Mountains all around

The walking path

More to go

Ta estates

Time to leave

Hathmale Falls

After having lunch we were able to reach the Hathmale waterfall which was not difficult to find. There were enough name boards and as usual, we contact several people to get the directions. It was a beautiful fall and there were only three of us at that time hence we had enough freedom to feel the waterfall and the stream. We didn’t have a bath but crossed the stream to the other side and climbed up the waterfall.

First view

The waterfall

Hathmale waterfall

The view

Malith in action

Another view

Akila is in action

My time

Side view of the fall

Another view

How it flows

I’m in the middle

Jumping

The fall

Sky	Hathmale Fall

Top part

The path