Waterfall Hunting around a Provincial Border

I and Nirosh had another sudden ride to see some waterfalls situated at the border of Western Province and Sabaragamuwa province. Unfortunately that time was bit dried and we couldn’t see much water in few waterfalls. How ever we were able to see 5 waterfalls on that day and couldn’t reach to two more falls located in Labugama due to the time. Hence, I hope to see them and Kumari fall, Ella Uda Ella again soon after a rainy season in future.

• Dunumala Ella
• Goraka Ella
• Kumari Ella
• Hewainna Ella
• Ella Uda Ella

Alawala Devin Panna Falls (Dunu Mala Ella / Uduwaka Ella)

අලවල දේවින් පැන්න ඇල්ල (දුනු මාල ඇල්ල / උඩුවක ඇල්ල)

This is a 45m tall Alawala Devin Panna Ella Falls (also known as “Dunu Mala Ella” and “Uduwaka Ella” waterfall ) and the surrounding area are of great historical importance and steeped in legend.

Near the Devin Panna Ella there are three large caves, one stretching back for a distance of about 0.5km, and according to local villagers, the nearby town of Ratnapura can be reached through it. In ancient times, Sri Lanka’s King Vijayabahu III is said to have made a home of two of the caves. Along similarly royal lines, the ashes of Sri Lanka’s ancient King Parakamabahu II are said to be enshrined in the Dambadeni Seya Stupa in the nearby Attanagalla Raja Maha Viharaya (temple).

Also, near the fall itself, five holes that are found in a rock are believed to have been used by ancient queens to play the indigenous game known as Pancha. According to local villagers, the streams that serve the fall have never dried up, even in spells of the most severe drought, and a nearby deep pool known as Alipalawalla was used hundreds of years ago to bath elephants.

Footpath to the fall

Flowers

More to capture

More to capture

Dunumaala Ella

Its dried

No much water

Another capture

Closer view

Side part

Lower part

Another angle

This fall is so beautiful on rainy days

Rocks

Side part

Slowly falling

Slow Shutter

Slow Shutter

Cascades

Its in their village

More cascades

Goraka Falls – ගොරක ඇල්ල

Goraka Ella Fall cascades over a number of rocky surfaces at before falling to the pool below. The fall lies on the Talduwa – Meewitigammana – Road (B408) about 600 meters away ( as the crow flies) from the main road. The water on this stream is diverted for cultivation and hydropower upstream thus reducing the water levels significantly during dry season.

To access the waterfall, you need to take a footpaths through paddy fields and streams which are used by villagers. There are no directions and will need to ask your way from the villagers. This path will take you to the bottom of the waterfall. To reach the top of the waterfall you need to climb upstream through a rubber estate with no clear visible path.

There is a moderately deep pool at the top which is suitable for bathing during dry seasons. There is another shallow pool above this which is more suitable for kids.

Cascades

Cascades

Slow Shutter

Its too dried

Cascades

Goraka Ella

The view

Lower part

Closer view

Here it is

View of the Environment

These rocks will cover on rainy days

Stream

Kumari Falls – කුමාරි ඇල්ල

According to folklore, the Kumari Ella Fall derives its name from King Sitawake Rajasinhe’s daughter, Kumari, as she is said to have drowned in the water. It is only 4m in height. The two streams from Pittukande Moutnain and Dukkalahelena Mountain meet with two other streams, one from Hewahinda and one from Illukovil, at the Puwakpitiya Aman Oya (river).

This then flows onto the Kelani River at Ambangama. Take the Colombo high-level road and turn along Puwakpitiya road. The fall is 2km along this road. This waterfall is located in the village of Havinna and is also known as “Kumari Wala Ella”.

Cascades

Transperant

Some were there

Enjoying

This is also dried

Small boutique

Cascades

Slow Shutter

Hewainna Falls – හේවාඉන්න ඇල්ල

Hewainna Waterfall is situated in the Colombo district. It stands at a mere 3 meters in height and is situated upstream of Kumari Ella Waterfall. A 300 m walk from Kumari Ella to the foot pathway to Hewainna Road leads to the Hewainna Waterfall. Hewainna Waterfall can be reached by travelling from the by travelling Awissawella-Padukka bus. The waterfall consists of a tiny cascade.

Here is it

Side part

Other side part

Full view

Small cascades

Small cascades

Ella Uda Ella Falls (Kahana Ella) – ඇල්ල උඩ ඇල්ල (කහන ඇල්ල)

The Ella Uda Ella Falls (Kahana Ella) takes its water from the Kodikande Mountain and the Koswatte canal network, which flows through rock and tree-lined valleys, before cascading from a cliff at the point of the fall. A species of fish, known locally as mahseer (Tor khudree), thrives here.

Unfortunately, an organized gang of drug addicts operate in the area, and have been known to release an itch-inducing plant mixture into the water upstream from bathers, and then sell the unsuspecting individuals coconut oil as a remedy, thus funding their habit.

However, that aside, a good view of the Colombo District’s highest mountain is possible from the fall.

The Ella Uda Ella Falls is 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.

Its also dried

Closer

Side view

Lower part

Fall with the pool

Another capture

Ella Uda Ella

Thank you for reading !

Sobasiri Team ©