Waterfalls

 

Baker's Waterfalls

The Baker's Falls in the Horton Plains gets its water from the Belihul Oya. It is close to World's End. The icy waters glisten in the sunshine amid a backdrop of mountain terrain and deep valleys and the patna through which you traverse give it contrast. If you are lucky you may see the rare black monkey and rhododendrons in bloom. Discovered by Sir Samuel Baker and a good stopover on your way to the World's end.

Bambarakanda Ella

Sri Lanka is blessed with over one hundred waterfalls. The tallest is the Bambarakande Falls which cascades down 263 metres like liquid light. It is only four miles away from the Colombo-Bandarawela road in a forest glade, but it is not visited often, though well worth the trip. Bambarakande is taller than the famous Diyaluma falls which is only 220 metres but thought to be the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka. The Diyaluma or Diya Haluma collects its water from the Poonagala Oya in the vicinity of Koslanda and Wellawaya. Located six miles from Koslanda and 13 miles from Wellawaya, its waters originate from the Mahakande Pass in Koslanda. You can see this waterfall if you stop a while on your way to Haputale and detour. Due to the geological formation of Sri Lanka, the central highlands are surrounded by peneplains, plateaus and valleys. Rainfall sends a large volume of water hurtling down the precipitous edges of the highland mass. The up thrust millions of years ago has caused several peneplains to form, the highest being well over 6000 ft. It is in this area that the water is collected when there are showers and flows down along tributaries down the mountain slopes.

Bopath Ella

"Bopath Ella", not like many of the others of her kind , finds her abode in a busy surrounding in the village called Devipahala off Kuruwita on A4 High Level road close to Ratnapura. Being within 3 hours driving distance from the capital, it thus claims the honour of having the highest turn-over of enthusiasts seeking respite from the grimy and monotonous town life .Nevertheless, it has the notorious reputation of devouring its visitors off and on who , attracted by the surroundings ,indulge in over-enjoyment .Here again, the falls take the shape of a "Bo" leave ( "Bo" tree is a sacred tree here ) from which the name has been derived.

Devon Waterfalls

With a peculiar appearance imparted to it by its formation in three continuous cascades this waterfall christened "Devon Falls" pours down to the valley beneath not a long distance away from its brother the "St. Clairs". On the main road opposite to it there is situated a modern tea centre finding its abode thankful to this "Veil ( Bridal ) of the Vale ( i.e. valley )". Driving from Colombo, the capital, via Avissawella one suddenly catches this unearthly sight which is to be soon enhanced by the grandeur of the "St. Clairs". This beauty too is endangered by the above-mentioned power plant beast

Diyaluma Waterfall

With an appearance and location which often make people believe that it is the highest waterfall in the isle, this lanky "Diyaluma" waterfall pours its way down and flows towards Kirindi Oya underneath a bridge on the highway from Beragala to Wellawaya. The extent of water spilt downwards is so great during the rainy season that it makes amends for the monotonously undisturbed water trunk falling from head to foot with no intermediate cascade whatsoever. Its geographical location by one of the mostly used Highways spanning the Hill Country to the Plains speaks for its reputation not only here but in other parts of the world as well.

Dunhinda Waterfall

"Dunhinda" is one of the mostly spoken-about waterfalls in Sri Lanka. Although she couldn't come even close to the highest waterfalls of the planet in height she rivals many of them when it comes to the natural beauty that it bestows on the environment . Situated about 2 km distance from the main road which runs to Taldena from the remote city Badulla in the Uva Province this is easily accesible and frequently visited by local and foreign visitors. On the way can be seen the "Kuda Dunhinda" ( "Kuda" means small in Sinhala ) which is the prologue to its mighty brother . In native tongue "Dun" means mist or vapour which is the ideal explanation for a waterfall creating wreathes of mist on its way down.

Kirindi Oya Waterfall

The Kirindi Oya Falls is the third largest waterfall. It cascades down 200 metres. It can be seen when you go from Ratnapura to Pelmadulla and get on to the Katupitiya road which goes by a tea factory. You have to go along a foot path just beyond the tea factory and if you do not mind the wild grass and reeds, you could go quite close to the waterfall.

Mapanana Ella

Mapanana Falls" found at the foot of the "Sri Pada"( Adam's Peak ) range are one of the tallest and the most beautifully formed falls meandering its way down from a height about 150 meteres. Carrying cooly and crystal clear waters from the springs where they are born in the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary this fall is difficult to get near to due to many reasons,the hazard of sudden gushes of water during especially, rainy seasons,being one of them.During my visit there in '95 I also was prevented from wading upstream for the same reason by the villagers.The photo here appeared on The Lankadeepa,95-8-20 Sunday, by Kamilus Wanigasuriya.

Olu Ella

This is situated in a remote village called Malalpola off Yatiyantota on the High Level road from Avissawella to Nuwara-Eliya. Dancing its way through several cascades before finding its way under a wooden bridge along the road, this waterfall adds to the rustic scenery of the village . Not very famous among the people here, it still attracts a considerable number of people going there informed by locals. During the periods when the foliage gets covered by lush greenary and the air gets cooly one is greeted with a momentary drizzle when traversing the wooden planks of the bridge.

Ravana Ella

Situated in the Dry zone off Welimada this beautiful water fall is a continuous stream of life to the villagers. It provides much needed water for the cultivation of vegetables, their main income. The life-line role of this tiny, yet beautiful waterfall is seen when we first arrived the village. While the surrounding mountains were dirty and dry this particular mountain was greenish and cultivated. According to villages the water of this stream has to be protected from smugglers day and night and for that they have " a shift duty". It is 40m (131ft) tall and in the Uduhawara village .

Rikille Ella

Bulathkohupitiya is a small town hidden among the mountains of the hill country. From there , a motorable road leads through hair pin bends to Dedugala. On the way can be seen this waterfall in a very serene landscape . Where it originates and whither it flows , unknown to me. In Sinhalese Rikilla means branch of a tree , and Rikille stands for its possesive noun.

St.Clair's Waterfall

These majestic "St.Clairs" falls are close to the main road from Avissawella to Nuwara-Eliya and can well be seen from the Main Line rail track close to Talawakelle. It falls down in two cascades and is an inviting site for regular bathers because it is fairly easily reacheable from a footpath ( actually there are many ) downhill through greeny tea shrubbery. Named after a British colonist, these are one of two waterfalls threatened by a proposed hydro-power scheme in the area.

Wadakada Waterfall

Wadakada is a typical rural Sri Lankan village encompassed between two highways which connect Colombo to the city of Kurunegala. There lived a poet called Wadakada Navaratne who shared the unspoilt beauty and calmness in his village with many a stranger through his ever-remembered poems which begins to linger and echo in one's ears as one steps into this far away place

The Lovers Leap Ella

The 100 feet high Lovers Leap begins it`s journey as a fountain at the Southern slope of Sri Lanka`s highest mountain Pidurutalagala. The falls can be seen from the town Nuwara Eliya.

Galagediyana Ella Falls

This water fall is very close to Colombo can be reached off Dedigama - where the famous Kotavehera Dagaba. If travel from Kotavehera to Stripura (where palace queens were hidden in times of war)- a cave temple with a magnificent stone arch- and then alone the same road to Kegalle.

Hellboda Ella Falls

This is by the side of A-5 trunk route Kandy to N'Eliya east of Pussellawa. It is about 60m (197ft) when both parts taken together and a very attractive yet simple water fall. It is by the side of the road and one can almost descends to the foot of the fall.

Ramboda Ella Falls

A gigantic water fall having three parts and very close to the 53km post along the above A-5 trunk road. The first part is above the road in the jungle (100m), second part is close to the road (3m) and the third part (100m)is below the road. Traveler should descends to the "Ramboda basin", where the famous "Ramboda Inn" situated from where he can see the whole fall. When we were there the upper part was covered with a fog and what you see in the picture was the third part. If look carefully, one can notice a bus on the bridge over the A-5 road at the top of the photo.

Poona Oya Ella Falls

In the same location as above (at Ramboda Inn), there are about 5 waterfalls descending down to make the Kothmale river. One of them is "Poona Oya Ella Falls" which is actually a twin fall. It is about 100m (330ft) and both falls about 4m away from each other. This is seen from A-5 road at 53km post and there is an observation site there.

Devathura Ella Falls

This also consists of three falls and the lowest which is close to the road at the "ramboda pass", is shown in the photo. it is about 10m (33ft) in height. If the Weather permits one can see the rest within the jungle above the fall.

Gerandi Ella Falls

A 100m (330ft) waterfall very close to the "Ramboda Fall" plunges to the same "Ramboda basin". You can see, there it's upper part was covered with fog and yet a very attractive scenery

Hunnas Falls

A man made waterfall close to Kandy, the Last Kingdom of Sri Lanka. It is about 60m (200ft) in height and plunges over a steep rock from an artificial lake made by the famous "Hunnas Tourist Hotel".

Diyagalla Ella Falls

This was a beautiful water fall which had been completely wiped off by man. It was situated close to Ginigathhena along the N'Eliya road. It was 20m (66ft) in height and now non-existing due to the diversion of its flow for some irrigation scheme. This may be one of it's last photographs.

Adam's peak (Seetha Gangula) Falls

Situated at the southern corner of the "Maskeliya oya" tank and flowing from the sacred Adam's peak (Sri Pada) mountains. It is about 10m (33ft) height. The name in sinhala means Cold river.

Movini Ella Falls

This beautiful 20m (66ft) waterfall is situated along the road from Maskelliya to Adam's peak and the water flows to the Maskelliya tank

Vada Hiti Ella (Lakshapana Falls)

The old name of this beautiful and Gigantic water fall is "where a vadda was" (- vadda is an ancient tribe man.) It was named as "lakshapana"-meaning a 100,000 bulbs- reminding us the first hydroelectric project that was undertaken successfully in this country. It is 129m (413ft) height and now flows less water due to the tank made.

Madolsima Ella Falls

This is not a famous Fall, yet a charming one. If you look at the middle part of the photograph, a metal tube can be seen. It was for the diversion of water to make electricity and done in 1940s. Still it is well maintained and the diversion did not affect the beauty but help to appreciate it better as a staircase was made over the metal tube to descend below. It is of 10m height, situated off Hatton in the Balangoda road.

Dambora Falls

The fall (10m in height) is created by a waterway of the Wakoya River and was formerly known as Demala Falls as the Tamil (Dravidian/Demala) labourers used to wash here. Dambora Falls is located near Labugama Reservoir in the village of Dambora (Hanwella Divisional Secretariat), Colombo District (Avissawela Electorate).

Ella Uda Falls

Hight 04Meters and located in the Colombo District, Avissawella Electorate at Hanwella. To reach it, take the Hanwella road and turn off near the Thummodara Old Bridge, then continue for a further 10km to the Illuovita area.

Thummodara Ranmudu Falls

The 15m fall is situated in a tributary of the Wakganga River, and the waters feed the Kelani River. The fall is a victim of its own success. Due to its popularity, especially at weekends, the surrounding ecosystem is under threat from large numbers of trampling visitors. It can be found 48km from Colombo, in the Colombo District Hanwella PC. From the Columbo - Avissawela highway head to Tumodara village. The fall is 0.5km from here.

Thudugala Ella Falls

This is a water fall close to Kalutara, in the vicinity of Dodangoda, a town off Galle road at Katukurunda. It is actually situated in the Thudugala village. A very beautiful fall, plunges over several ledges mimicking a vale of a bride. It is about 15m (50ft) height and provides a beautiful bathing location

Alupolla Ella Falls

This is made up of three parts and the total height is about 60m (200ft). When we arrived there, it had faced a drought but the beauty of the place forced us to have a bath...an icy cold bath in the later part of the evening.... It is situated at the end of the road to Alupolla and there is a small yet clean tea boutique where we had a nice hot plain-tea after the icy bath.

Dehena Ella Falls

This is along the country road (good motorable road) from Rathnapura to Alupolla. It is a 40m (131ft) tall. The fall is just by the side of road and a good site for bathing. The bath in the pool just beneath the fall is a memorable event but there is a danger of drowning and BE CAREFUL.!!!!

Bombure Ella Falls -Ramboda

This 50m (164ft) and very broad water fall, a tributary of Dalugala Oya (to Mahweli ganga ) is situated in the village Parawella . When we visited it, there is hardly any water, but during the rainy season it turned to be a gigantic water fall.

Hellboda Ella Falls -Ramboda

This is by the side of A-5 trunk route Kandy to N'Eliya east of Pussellawa. It is about 60m (197ft) when both parts taken together and a very attractive yet simple water fall. It is by the side of the road and one can almost descends to the foot of the fall.

Elgin Falls

Railway between Nanu Oya and Ambewela offers a panoramic view of the 75 feet high Elgin Falls

Winser Forest Falls

Winser Forest Falls, 10m in height, only flows during rain. It is situated 44km from Kitulgala.The nearest town is Nawalapitiya.

Balakaduwa Falls

Matale- Kandy Road (593/594) traveling for 6.5km toward Kandy, the Baladuwa Pass is met. The fall is located here. Incipient from water body located above Baladuwa Estate. It flows from Balakaduwa across Warakammula to Suduganga River.

Kalupahana Falls

Having several necklaces the 14m high Kalupahana Falls is situated in Dumbara Jungles in Kalupahana Mountain, Kandy District. A sodality of falls cascading in several necklaces. The milieu of the fall comprising Pigmy Jungle is enshrouded in mist and darkness; aptly speaking its name 'Kalupahana' is Black Lantern. A lizard species, Dumbara Katussa, is found here. In addition, a snail belonging to 'Moluska' species is also found. Naturalized plants include different varieties of orchids provide more pleasure to the visitors. Spice varieties viz Ensal/Cloves and Nutmeg were introduced in 1940's. These days the consociation covers an extent of 4550 hectares, which is 1/3 of the Nuckles Forest. This area supplies about 45% of the islands spice output. However, as an outcome of this, about 600 hectares of jungle had been cleared resulting in adverse impact on the rain cycle. The depletion of the water table and threat of drying up of confined aquifers looms large. There is an outcry to spare this area from the cultivation of the spice nutmeg. To get the Water Falls there are two routes. One is from Matale - Pannvila via Bambarella come to Ratnagiriya. From there, trek for 8km through the Dumbara Jungles and the Water Falls could be seen to the right. The other is coming to Illukumbura, 35 km from Matale and via Pitawala, Attanwala & Walpolamulla it is possible to reach the fall. The 7km track is through difficult terrain. This is ideal for eco-tourism and serves to enhance the knowledge of eco-tourists. On the way, one can also view the Dumbara Dooli Falls.

Dehigolla Falls

Dehigolla Falls is 30m in height and its source is the reserve on the 1883m-high Knuckles mountain range, Kandy District. On the Kandy - Teldeniya - Hunnasgiriya road near the Dehigolla Tea Factory, it is possible to view the fall as it cascades from a huge protruding rock formation. Afterwards the water flows on to the Henni Oya (river), then the Hulu River and finally into the Mahaweli River.

Sinharaja - Water Falls

In the rain forest conservation of Sinharaja a world heritage there are 19 waterfalls. 11 falls located in Galle district; they are Pathanoya Falls, Suduwalikotha Falls, Brahmana Falls, Hathbinna Falls, Malmora Falls, Neluwa Doovilli falls, Wathugala falls, Lankagama Kekuna Falls, Nellugolla Falls and Beraliya Dola Falls respectively.

Hadun Ella Falls -Kitulgala

In Sinhala "Hadun" means sandal wood. We don't know whether there was a sandal forest close by or any smell from the water !!. Still it is called Hadun Ella. This is not easily reached. Closer by is the famous "Belli Lena" caves {where "the 15,000yr history" of Sri Lankan were hidden}..Fall is 30m tall and joins Kelani ganga.

Mannakethi Ella Falls - Kitulgala

"Manna" means knives. "Kethi" means hatchet. People use to wash their tools in this falls and thus came the name.

Bomburu Ella

Bomburu Ella waterfall is a very beautiful waterfall in Sri Lanka and which is at Uva - Paranagama provincial division of Badulla District of Sri Lanka. Bomburu Ella waterfall is at a very beautiful place in Sri Lanka. Welimada and Uva Paranagama are very famous to potatoes cultivation. You can visit Bomburu waterfall and visit potatoes lands and vegetable lands in Welimada. Bomburu Ella is not at closed to main road. It's situated at long distance from main road and you have to go on a foot to Bomburu waterfall. This waterfall is situated at between and border of Nuwaraeliya and Badulla districts. There is a valley at Nuwaraeliya district and water comes to falls. Some low rainy seasons people close the water way and that time low amount of water comes to water fall. December January and April May seasons are very suitable to visit this waterfall. Water is come to Bomburu waterfall from Nuwaraeliya Gregory Lake and many places and after Bomburu Ella this water come to Uma River. Then via Badulu Oya and move those water to Randenigala Rentable and Victoria valleys. How to get there You can reach Bomburu Ella from Perawella via Uduhawara via Welimada, Nuwaraeliya. Or Welimada via Bandarawela.

Devagiri Falls

Devagiri Falls in the Kegalle District is 90m in height. Yet it is not popular with visitors as the route involves a trek through tea estates and difficult terrain. It is also not possible to get a close view. The source of the fall is the Dedugala Ehala Palanpitiya mountain in the Kegalle District.

Pulun Falls

Pulun Falls in the Ratnapura District is 86m in height and 12m wide and consists of two segments, the upper part being 9m in height. It cascades into a deep cleft (6-9m) and the overflow creates the second segment, which runs down a slab of rock. The fall is located at Sigapulikande mountain in the Denawaka area in the Pelmadulla electorate. Take the Ratnapura - Pelmadulla road and turn onto the Devalegama road at Pathakada junction. The fall is 0.5km from here.

Demali Falls

Demali Falls , is in the Ratnapura district is 105m in height and flows to the Deni River . There is a massive crevasse at the base of the fall. Many are the theories as to how the fall got its name. One is that it has got its name from 'de-mala', meaning ' twin falls '. Other tales of folklore are all connected with Tamils. One is that a young Tamil (demali) shepherd woman who was carrying a pale of milk from Ambagaha Arawa village to Kiri Kandula village was startled by a nefarious king. The woman panicked and fled but tripped, fell into the fall and got drowned. Another story tells of the mansion of a Tamil minister. When he left to go to war, he told his seven queens that if he was defeated, a white flag would be hoisted from his ship's sails. If the white flag is hoisted, he instructed them to flee in disguise. However, the white flag was hoisted by mistake, so the queens naturally assumed the war had been lost and preferred to commit suicide rather than flee.

The Galdola Fall

The Galdola Fall (Ratnapura district) originates from a tributary of the Rakwana river, which flows down the eastern slope of Suriyakande mountain in the Sinharaja forest reserve. The water courses over rock-strewn terrain and at times the flow is submerged by rocky outcrops. This profusion of rocks gives the fall its name ‘dola' meaning ‘rockpool'.

Dhuwili Waterfalls

Dhuwili Ella of Balangoda Sri Lanka is a very high and a beautiful waterfall in Sri Lanka. Dhuwili Ella is at Kalthota which is Hambegambuwa road of Balangoda. There are about 27 kilometeres from Balangoda town and you have to walk 3kms from Kalthota. Dhuwili Ella is situated at below of Samanala Wawa Wally. Samanala Wawa means Wally which is like a butterfly. Main entrance of Samanala Wewa is at Belihuloya and Pambahinna. Samanala Wawa is situated at 8km Distance from Sabaragamuwa University. University of Sabaragamuwa Sri Lanka is also at Kumbalgama road which is direct to Samanala Wawa. Dhuwili Ella waterfall is very beautiful and large amount of water falls down from it every second. There fore not suitable to bath at this waterfall. Belihuloya has the No.01 in World pure waterways. There are many sub waterfalls at this region. Denagama, Denagamoya, Imbulpe, Uggala Kalthota and Uggal Aluth Nuwara are some other places seen at this region. How to get there You can reach Dhuwili Waterfalls from Balangoda - Kalthota road. 27 Km from Balangoda.

Diyakerella Falls

The Diyakerella Falls in the Kandy district flows through jungle and cascades down a 45m-high rock formation - the noise made is incredible. As the water hits the bottom, another fall is created, though only the upper section is visible through the dense foliage. The beauty of the fall is enhanced by the towering presence of the Lakgala mountain at Meemure village. Beneath the fall is an Elephants' corridor known as 'ethpara' and there is also a monastery nearby. The stream joins the Heenganga and later the Mahaweli ganga.