Waterfalls of Sri Lanka





Where there are rivers and hills, there are also waterfalls. The tallest one in Sri Lanka is the Diyaluma falls, dropping 694 feet. The next highest waterfalls are the Kurundu Oya (620 feet), Ratna Ella(365 feet), Ramboda (329 feet), Devon (281 feet) and Dunhinda (190 feet). The picture is of the Dunhinda falls.


Waterfalls are a delightful sight and we have a lot of them in our country. But do we really enjoy the beauty?

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.

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.



Ramboda Falls


Also along the Ratnapura road, on the Agalawatta crossroad which is very narrow and winding, one can see another beautiful waterfall. The Bopath Falls, a 30 metre fall which descends in three cascades, in the shape of a Bo leaf, is a spectacular sight. It can be seen from afar, from the road opposite the falls. Bathing at the base of the waterfall is fraught with danger as many lives have been lost here. It takes only a three hours drive from Colombo to get there.

If you happen to go to Venezuela, you could see the highest waterfall in the world. The waterfall is named "Angel" and it has a wonderful drop of 3,200 feet from the edge of the cliff. It comes down in a sheer drop and ends in a mist like froth. The Kukenaam waterfall also in Venezuela falls 2,000 feet. The Niagra is the best known waterfall in the world and thousands of tourists go to see it. In Sri Lanka, though we have wonderful waterfalls of rare scenic beauty, very few people bother to enjoy them.

Duvili Ella waterfall located,close to Kaltota near the Walawe Ganga. It has been described as one of the most unusual waterfalls in Sri Lanka. The fat, the short, the old, the sprightly and not so agile, all joined the expedition and alighted from the bus with great gusto at Kaltota, 28 km. off Balangoda. The organizer of the trip had made prior arrangements and a soldier with a gun escorted the ladies as it was a politically tumultous time and some were fearful of the forest terrain. Everyone proceeded along a narrow path on the very edge of a precipitous incline.



Hunnas Falls


Breathless and frightened, they continued their journey till all of a sudden they came to a place opposite the waterfall which fell from a broad rock 40 metres down in a haze of water. It was the most fantastic sight because unlike other waterfalls what you see is a misty cascade of droplets in a sheer veil of shimmering light. That is why it is called Duvili Ella - dust-like waterfall.

There are other waterfalls too like, Baker's Falls in Horton Plains, St. Claire's Falls which we never miss seeing each time we go upcountry by train; waterfalls in unexpected places such as the waterfall in the heart of the Sinharaja forest. A not very well known waterfall is the Ellatota waterfalls near Bandarawela, where we always have a bath holding our heads to the thud of the waterfall and freezing the moment the icy water touched our warm bodies leaving us happy and refreshed.

Ravana Ella on the Wellawaya Road. This waterfall is in a very picturesque setting of huge mountains and rolling valleys. The water source is the thick Wewatenna highland. This is connected with Ravana mythology and Sita is said to have bathed here while she was held prisoner by Ravana. The water cascades down in three stages for 9 metres and then meanders along. This is a favourite resting spot for pilgrims who stop off here awhile.

The Dunhinda Falls is in the Uva Highlands in the Veddah country. It is connected with the romantic episode of a Princess Manik Bandara who fled with her commoner lover. They leapt from the top of this waterfall pledging their eternal love. The Dunhinda cascades down in a beautiful stream of water which vaporises as it falls, hence its name.



Bakers Falls


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.

Waterfalls will never fail to delight. They are nature's jewels and a natural phenomenon of rare beauty. May they never be destroyed by man in his hurry for development. Picturesque scenic beauty is an integral part of our heritage. A beauty which touches our aesthetic sensibility and transforms our lives.





Dunhinda


Dunhinda
To see the breathtaking beauty of Dunhinda falls(210 feet), you have to travel about 5 Km from Badulla along the Mahiyangana road, and walk for another 2 Km (trekking) away from the main road.


St. Claire
The widest waterfall in Sri Lanka, about 265 feet high.


Laxapana Falls
Laxapana fall is 377 feet high


Aberdeen Falls
A mere 5 Km away from Laxapana you will find the 322 feet high Aberdeen Falls.


Devon Falls
Devon falls(318 feet) can be best viewed from the 20th mile post of the Talawakele-Nawalapitiya highway.


Rawana Falls
Visible from the Ella-Wellawaya road, near Udunuwara village. A popular stopover for travelers.


Alupola Ella
This 200 feet high fall is to be found 25 Km away from Ratnapura in the Wewalwatte village.


Bopath Ella
The water falls 100 feet in the shape of a Bo leaf. When you travel along the Colombo-Ratnapura highway, turn at Higasthenna junction and drive along the Agalawatte road up to Devapahala village to see Bopath Ella.


The Lovers Leap
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.


Mawanella Ella
Travel 35 Km from Nuwara Eliya towards Udupussallawa and another 13 Km towards the Napola gap, and then you will find Mawanella Ella in the Lunuwatta village.





Bakers Fall
Discovered by Sir Samuel Baker and a good stopover on your way to the World`s end.


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


Bridal Falls
The winding highway to the Nuwara Eliya Plateau offers a memorable view of Bridal Falls, resembling a bridal veil, while dropping over the rock face.


Perawella Falls
Perawella Fall is about 90 feet high.


Ramboda Falls
Can be seen from the Ramboda Bazaar on the Nuwara Eliya-Ramboda road.


Ramboda Falls, Nuwara Eliya
Plummeting 329 feet straight down, Ramboda Falls isn't even the highest falls in Sri Lanka. In fact, there are so many waterfalls scattered throughout the hilly tea country of Nuwara Eliya, that most visitors have difficulty deciding which one to photograph! Nuwara Eliya was the location of choice for the British Colonizers because of its beautiful green hills and year round cool climate. The landscape is dotted with picturesque Victorian style homes and tea plantations as far as the eye can see. Known as the vegetable and flower capital of Sri Lanka, it is a "must see" for all green thumb travelers.


Some of the famous & picturesque waterfalls that could be seen in Sri Lanka are as follows

Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Alpeth
Bambarakanda Ella
Belihul Oya
Bombure Ella
Bopath Ellya
Cent Klayad
Davoan
Devagiri Ella
Devathura Ella
Devon's
Diyagalla Ella
Diyaluma
Dunhida
Ella pita Ella
Galagediyana Ella
Gartmore
Gerandi Ella
Gorok Ella
Hadun Ella
Hath male Ella
Hellboda Ella
Hunnas
Kirindi Ella
Kithul Ella
Kurudu Oya
Madolsima Ella
Maliboda
Manawallea
Mannakethi Ella
Movini Ella
Nekavita Ella
Nelluakkana Ella
Nuwara Eliya
Olu Ella
Poona Oya Ella
Puwakmal Ella
Ramboda Ella
Rathna
Ravana
Rikili Ella
Ritigaha-Waharaka Ella
Rukmal Ella
Saint Clair's
Seetha Gangula
Surathalee Ella
Vada Hiti Ella
Viktoriya
We-Oya Ella



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