Knuckles Mountain Range

It’s Sri Lankans commonly known as “Dumbara Kadu watiya” which main entrance situated Reverston area, its gather of enchanting mountains range highest mountain top is Gombanigala, which is 1904 meters in height. Gombanigala, followed by Knuckles (1862 meters), Kirigalpoththa (1646 meters), Dumbanagala (1642 meters), Kalupahana (1628 meters), Wamarapugala (1558 meters), Dothalugala (1553 meters), Kehelpothdoruwagala (1528 meters), Pathanagala (1514 meters), Thelambugala (1331 meters) and Lakegala (1317 meters).

This area declare as reserve forest early 1980 accommodate 21,000 hectare which consist following Basic vegetation types

• Semi Evergreen Forests
• Sub Montane Forest
• Montane Forest
• Patana and Savanna Grasslands
• Riverine Forests

Semi Evergreen forest seen lover elevation around below 700m this area dominating Mora (Dimorcarpus longan), Badulla (Semecarpus nigroviridis) , Milla (Vitex altissima),Thimbiri (Diospyras malabarica), Kotadimbula (Ficas hispida), Atticca (Ficus racemosa) and Etamba (Mangifera zeylanica) further this trees shade there leave during the July to August period due to lead higher diversity of this area,this is the main catchments area for Mahavali river,

Sub mountain Forest easily identical between higher & lower level vegetation highly thrated vegetation due to Cinnamon & tea industries still playing key role to sustainability of streams. Mal Weralu (Eleocarpus gladulifer), Malaboda (Myristica dactyloides) are in common flora seen this forest, dry & wind during the though out the year but May to August identical,

Mountain forest can be seen 1300m above range of the knuckles, Specially Gombaniya,Kalupahana,Thngappuwa area is identical,mist during the year fascinating, Keena (Calophyllum trapezifolium) and Nelu (Strobilanthes pulcherrima) can be seen “Dumbara Mitiyawatha”,Singhala Meaning Of “Dumbara Mitiyawatha” is Mountain Covering by Mist,

Patana & Savanna Grasslands identified hills below 1000M area, Hena cultivation has been very popular agricultural system among Villagers this area it’s course this Vegetation type,

Pitawala Pathana is eye-catching example of typical vegetation of Pathana,

Rivering forest Dominating Mora (Dimorcarpus longan), Badulla (Semecarpus nigroviridis), Milla (Vitex altissima),Thimbiri (Diospyras malabarica), Kotadimbula (Ficas hispida), Atticca (Ficus racemosa), Etamba (Mangifera zeylanica) this forest visible Kaluganga & Heengaga banking range,

Waterfalls in the forest increase the natural beauty. Dumbara ella, Udaduvili ella, Veddapeni ella, Seru ella, Diyakerella, Meemure ella, Rathninda ella, Kalupahana ella, Huluganga ella and Rathna ella are the waterfalls in the area.

This forest holds a wide variety of Fauna. Most importantly it is a home to many endangered and endemic species. 247 vertebrate species have been recorded in this area which 26% are endemic to Sri Lanka, including 14 birds and 9 fish species. More than a 100 of other resident and migrant bird species,Five of these endemic species, three fresh water fish (phillipis gara-garra phillipsi, martenstyne’s puntius srilankensis) one amphibian (marbled cliff frog-nannophrys mamorata) and one lizard (ceretophora tennenti) are restricted to knuckles forest range further mammals namely elephants, leopards,sambhurs, wild boar, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer & giant squirrel can be seen also total of 1033 flowering plants, belonging to 141 families has been recorded. Among them 255 are tree species, while the balance consists of shrubs and herbs. Of the total number of flowering plants species ,160 are endemic to Sri Lanka while, about 32% are nationally threatened. Though the Knuckles Forest Range covers less than 0.5% of the land area in Sri Lanka, it consists almost one-third of the island’s flowering plant species. There are more than 25 Orchids species in the forest range.

Knuckles is bordered by 77 villages, such as Dandeni Kumbura, Poththetawela, Kahagala, Dammanthenna, Divulgaspathana, Etenwala, Walasmulla, Rmbukwewa, Udagala Debokka, Galamuduma, Pallegala Debokka, Meegahamada, Medakele, Meemure, Kaikawala, Gomare, Wadawala Kanda, Nellikele , Narangamuwa. Villages life hard but simple main sources of income farming,

The Kncukles is the main catchment area of Sri Lanka’s longest river Mahaweli. The Hulu ganga ,Kalu ganga ,Heen ganga main catchment waterways of the Mahaweli river. In addition, Hasalaka Oya, Theligam Oya, Heen Oya and Karambaketiya Oya also offer water for the Mahaweli River. These waterways dazzle in the morning sunlight, fascinatingly.

Access

• Colombo to ilukkumbura route via Kandy – Matale- Rattota
• Colombo to ilukkumbura route via – Kurunegala- Galewela – Naula – Pallaegama
• Colombo to Bambaella Rout via Kandy – Wattegama –Teldeniya
• Colombo to to Deenston route via Kandy – Rangala – Corbets Gap,

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Bolgoda Lake – Panadura

It’s one of the largest natural lake located 35km away from Colombo near Panadura.it’s cover 400 square km of water,lager north lake stretches across Colombo and Kaluthara Districs while south lake situated in the Kaluthara,North lake discharge to sea via The panadura,

Panadura & moratuwa area well known old practice find hand of furniture, as per history this lake use as media of transport of Timber from Singheraja forest to Moratuwa.

The lake & its atmosphere are good for range of nature related activities & encouraged for water sport too, this is an excellent hideout for bird watching as migrating & wetland birds,

A primitive fishing technique it’s call “JA_Kotu” use by villagers,it’s threat for endemic species living lake because it’s catching pre matured fish ,further threaten for Rhizopora too but as a cultural fishing technique Bolgoda is place to see Ja-Kotuwa,

As per naturalist lake divers fauna is its over 45 species of fish,40 species of reptiles, over 17 species of amphibian, over 100 birds including endemic, migrating & wet land birds, over 30 mammals recorded around this lake bank,

Beauty of the lake is enhanced by the fauna & flora, its rich wide variety of aquatic vegetation varying with depth & formation of rock layers in certain section of the lake. Much kind of grass, Tress & water plants can be found in addition to mangroves.

Maddy Mangroves area dominated by Water lilies (Nympoides),Bladderworth (Utricularia) & specially Sour fruit call Kirala(sonneratia),

Kirala is a famous beverage among Villagers it’s taste very similar to wood apple,Bolgoda is an Eye catching destination in Panaura area,


Access
Colombo Panadura Old Main Road Drive up to Panadura,

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Horton Plains National Park

Three main important Mahaveli,Kalani & Walawe revers started from this area, forms by two difference verdant land forms, the enchanting Horton Plains constitute a rare subtropical eco-system. The hills don in divers wet low evergreen forest with even lager trees growing flattened to the ground on the higher windswept slopes. Lower down, the rolling forestry valley carries the swampy wet patana grassland traversed by sluggish, crystal clear streams.
Sri Lanka's second and third highest peaks, Kirigalpotta (2,395 m) and Thotupola Kanda (2,357 m) are found here, Traditionally mahaeliya in singhela.it was rechristened as Hortan Plains after Sri Robet Hortan,he is Sr Lankan British Governor in 1831-1937.it was gazette as Nature Reserve on 1988 due to it’s unique watershed & biodiversity valve.

Area
Situated 32km south of Nwara eliya,Horton Plains National Park lies between 6’ 47 & 50 north latitudes & 80’ 46’ & 80 51 east longitudes. Total strength 3,159.8 hectares,

Formed as beautiful mountains & grassland through out the park, it’s cradles Belihul Oya,Bagawanthalawa Oya & Agara oya this are the stream sources above mention main revers, further contribute Small Worlds End drops by 274 meters & Worlds end by 884 meters.

Temperature over the year average is as lower as 13C. December to February recording lowest temperature even in the night due to ground frost. Average annual rain falling is 2500mm as both North-East & South-West Monsoon.

Flora
Binara (exacum trinerra macranttum),Keena (Calophyllum malkeri),Polkatugaha (Actinodaphne Speciosa),Maharatmal (Rhododendron arboretum),Wal Kurundu (Cinnamomum avalifolium),Sita-Pera (Rhodomyrtus tomentoa),Wel-Kapuru (Gaultheria rudius),Maha meemana (Cyathea spp),Bovitiya (Osbeckia walkeri),Gawara (Garnotia mutica)

Dwarf Bamboo (Arundinaria densifolia),Kikuya Grass (Pennisetum clandestinum)

Damba (Syzygium cordifolium,Syzygium gardneri)

Birding Highlights

Here Recording 62 species including 11 endemics.

Mammals Highlights
Sambar (Cerrus unicolour unicolour),Leopard. (Panthera pardus kotiya),Dusky Squirrel,Beer Monky-(Samnopithecus vetulus monticola),Barking deer,Giant Squirrel,Fishing Cat,Wild Boar,Hares,Horton Lizard,Grizzled Indian Squirrel,oque Monkey,Purple-faced Leaf Monkey,

Further Triangle Skimmer & Red_Veined Darter are can see this area as

Access
Three main gates available
Via Nuwara Eliya,Ambewela,Pitigala Road approximately 32km
Via Haputhele Or Welimada,Boralanda,Ohiya approximately 38km
Via Nuwara Eliya,Hakgala,Rendapola,Amewela,Pattipola approximately 38km
Only Adventural visitors can enter through Thalawakale-Diyagama-Belihuloya-Nagarak trails

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Adisham Bungalow Haputale

Adisham is state house of Sir Thomas Villiers.The spirit of Thomas Lister Villiers came to Ceylon in 1887 with few sterling pounds in his pocket. He was born in 1869 in Adisham Rectory in Kent, the son of Rev Henry Montague Villiers. He was a grandson of Lord John Russell, twice prime minister of Britain.

He started his carrier as a trainee planter on Elbedde Estate, Bogawantalawa. After few years (In 1896) he married the daughter of a tea planter.

In 1905 he joined George Steuart, a trading and estate agency at Colombo, and rose to be its chairman in 1928, a position he held till retirement in 1948.he play political role in here too.

Adisham is his dream home situated at Haputale, surrounded by enchanting magical view forest and commanding views across hills and valleys and the highest mountain ranges of Sri Lanka.

The house was designed in the Tudor style, on the lines of Leeds Castle in Kent,

Access

Proceed along the Colombo Road (main street) up to the end of the Haputale Juction and take upper road to the Police station, proceed 2miles passing the Buddhist Temple then take left for and half mile till you Reach Adisham,or using bus root Colombo to Haputele town,from the town taxi are available for hire,

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Kataragama Temple

Kataragama is a pilgrimage town popular with Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and indigenous Vedda communities of Sri Lanka and South India. The town has Ruhunu Maha Kataragama devalaya, a shrine dedicated to Skanda-Murukan also known as Kataragamadevio. Kataragama is situated in the Monaragala District of Uva province, Sri Lanka. It is surrounded by jungle in the South Eastern region of Sri Lanka. It also houses the ancient Kiri Vehera Buddhist stupa.
The town has a venerable history dating back to the last centuries of BCE. It also was the seat of government of many Sinhalese kings during the days of Rohana kingdom.
The general vicinity of Kataragama has yielded evidence of human habitation at least 125,000 years ago. It has also yielded evidence of Mesolithic and Neolithic habitations.
During the historic period, the general area was characterized by small reservoirs for water conservation and associated paddy cultivation. Kataragama village is first mentioned in the historical annals known as Mahavansha written down in the 5th century CE. It mentions a town named Kajjaragama from which important dignitaries came to receive the sacred Bo sapling sent from Asoka’s Mauryan Empire on 288 BCE. It was also functioned as the capital of number of kings of the Ruhuna kingdom. It provided refuge to many kings from the north when the north was invaded by South Indian kingdoms. It is believed that the area was abandoned around the 13th century.
Based on archeological evidence found, it is believed that the Kiri Vehera was either renovated to build during the first century BCE. There are number of others inscriptions and ruins. By the 16th century the Kataragama Devio shrine at Kataragama had become synonymous with Skanda Kumara who was a guardian deity of Sinhala Buddhism.

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Nallur Kandaswamy Temple

This is a one of the most significant Hindu Temple in the Jaffna peninsula & Northern Province. Nallur has an historical background further consider as a social, religious & cultural place in the province, this Holy temple dedicated for worshiping Load Muruga, which has establish in 948CE that was gifted by Chola Queen (Sambiyan Mahadevi) in 10^th century, later Puvenaya Vaku renovated this Temple in 13^th century ,Prince Sapumal(Sapumal Kumaraya – Jaffna prince behalf of Kotte Kingdom) had been built third Nallr Kovil  & further extended many renovation program as a ruler,

Kandaswami Kovil Holy Vel festival is one of glamorous festival in Peninsula, this event starting the flag hosting and end with Water cutting ceremony, Thousands of devotees participating from all over the country in between period. That annual festival has been celebrating in between July & August.     

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Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is an orphanage and breeding ground for wild elephants which is situated in Sri Lanka. The orphanage was originally founded in order to afford care and protection to the many orphaned elephants found in the jungle. As of 2008, there were 84 elephants.
Pinnewela was first established by the Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1975 on a 25-acre (10 ha) preserve for feeding and providing care and sanctuary to orphaned baby elephants that were found in the wild. In 1982 an elephant breeding program was launched.
The aim of the orphanage is to simulate the natural world.The elephants are taken to the river twice daily for a bath, and all the babies under three years of age are still bottle fed by the mahouts and volunteers. Each animal is also given around 76 kilograms (170 lb) of green manure a day and around 2kg (4.4 lb) from a food bag containing rice bran and maize. They get access to water twice a day, from the river.This elephant orphanage is also a breeding place for elephants. More than twenty-three elephants have been born since 1984, and the orphanage has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. While most of the elephants are healthy, one is blind, and one, named Sama, has lost her front right leg to a land mine.

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Kolam Dance

Kolam is a rural dance drama had been fulfilling traditional entertainment media of Sri Lankan country life style which expertise located south part of the island. This are associated with characters and incident from their own life style. Most scripts frameworks are basically comedy type, every individual character has identical mask usually wearing with specific costumes.

Origin of Kolam has a wonderful story like European fairytales “once upon a time live Royal Couple namely “Mahasamatha” ,the story goes that when queen was pregnant, She felt strong desire to see mask dance then king send a message to invite to people to perform the dance but no one knows how to perform it but Queen badly suffered with her desire unfulfilled,to pt an end to this bad suffering God Sakra  (The God for gods) inform to God Vishwakarma (The celestial God for all arts) to create the Mask & stories for performing dance that following day morning Mask & Scripts had been found Royal Garden.King has orders to artist to followed them and perfume the nedfull.Queen has highly please and her pregnancy craving disappeared.

This characters and stories are specially drive their day today  incident from their own life style jasaya and  Lenchina, Adabera Kolama,Arachi Kolama, are some typically characters using describe country life style and simplicity that it has .some stories extracting from Buddhist Jathaka Stories (which describe the life of the Buddha in previous incarnations). They also derive inspiration from South Indian folk and grate Indian epic such as the “Ramayanaya” and the “Mahabaratha”.

The Kolam tradition in Sri Lanka and folk entertainment has all the promise of getting new strength today.with new invovation folk dramatists taking in to this, From of new entertainment with new stories come to the stage as well as new adoptions with old legends. 

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