Deraniyagala – Noori Road is dotted with many waterfalls, Some known and many un named and unknown. Unfortunately water on the most of these waterfalls have been diverted to mini hydro power plants reducing the water volumes on these waterfalls. Therefore these waterfalls are best viewed during the rainy season when the water volumes are at highest.
The Kaluwala Ella Falls on Kadiran Oya in the area of Polgaswatte is one of such waterfalls known only by the locals flowing unseen away from the Noori Road.
The Kadiran Oya creates a string of waterfalls in the Polgaswatte area. The first waterfall on this sting is Rakka Ella Fall meaning Rack fall. The waterfall flows over a formation of rock which resembles a wide stair way. The stream the goes around a U shaped bend and creates the two segment Kaluwala Ella Falls which is about 4 meters in height . This is fall lies about 150 meters away from the Rakka Ella Fall. The stream continues further 75 meters downstream and creates the Wee Kotana Ella Fall which is approximately 5 meters in height.
This waterfall is not listed in the database of Lanka Council of Waterfalls (LCWF).
The Dutch word Wolvendaal means the ‘Dale of Wolves’ and it relates to an area outside the Fort of Colombo in Sri Lanka which was in the 17th century covered with swamps and marshland. Animals identified as wolves (in fact they were
jackals!) used to roam here unhindered. In the middle of this area, on a hill overlooking Colombo, stands the majestic Wolvendaal Church. Built in 1749, it is one of the oldest Protestant churches still in use on the island and considered one of the most beautiful and historically interesting churches of South Asia.
In January 2005 the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) established the Wolvendaal Foundation. Its ultimate aim is to further cordial relations between the various races and religions on the island. The Dutch Reformed Church itself is a showpiece of peaceful co-existence as it comprises Singhalese, Tamil and Burgher congregations harmoniously working together.
The Foundation focuses on the renovation, maintenance and improvement of the historic Dutch churches and monuments on the island and the development of community projects without consideration of race, religion or colour. The historic buildings comprise the Wolvendaal Church at Colombo, the Groote Kerk located in the Dutch Fort of Galle, the churches at Matara and Kalpitya as well as the Cayman's Gate Belfry at Pettah, Colombo.
The Wolvendaal website provides information about the Foundation and its activities. It also gives the history of the Dutch Period in Ceylon as well as particulars of the historic churches and monuments owned by the Dutch (Christian) Reformed Church of Sri Lanka.
This historical place of worship known as JAMIUL ALFAR JUMMAH MASJID is referred as SAMMAN KOTTU PALLI in pure Tamil, RATHU PALLIYA in Sinhala and RED MASJID in English is situated in the Muslim concentrated business area of PETTAH (PURAOKOTTAI - Second Cross Street) Colombo.
If necessity is the mother of invention, so be it with the establishment of this MASJID. The devout Muslims needed a place to pray five times a day, this brought about a construction of a common place of worship in 1908, the traveling business Muslims, our forefathers from India realized the need came forward to fulfill this by building the MASJID in the area. It is important not to forget our forefather's dedication and contribution towards building a place of worship which till date has only increased the number of fellow Muslims in the area and the spirit of Islam almost making a stamp of our religion in the area. We pray to Allah to take these pioneers our ancestors into
Run by one of Sri Lanka’s more politically adept monks, Galboda Gnanissara Thera, this bustling temple complex has a library, a museum and an extraordinarily eclectic array of bejewelled and gilded gifts presented by devotees and well-wishers over the years (plus one lonely and chained temple elephant named Ganga). Gangaramaya is the focus of the Navam Perahera on the February poya (full-moon) day each year. This is the centre for the most extravagant Vesak celebrations in Colombo.
Is a beautiful mix of sandy beaches and lush mangroves that thrive along its river and lagoon.
Waikkal is a great holiday destination, offering a charming blend of the traditional and the contemporary. Located on the west coast, Waikkal is ideal for delectable seafood and exciting boat rides for the whole family through its canals and lagoon. This area is home to a unique mangrove eco-system, providing ample opportunity for bird and butterfly watching. For some lively local colour, visit the Sunday fair at the Kochikade village in Waikkal.
DUTCH CANAL
The boat ride/safari that takes you along the old Dutch canal which runs through Waikkal, gives you snap shots of bird life, essentially comprising waders, stunning kingfishers, rare pied kingfishers, bee-eaters, Brahminy kites, etc. Water monitors, bearing an uncanny resemblance to crocodiles, are also bound to make an appearance, so keep your eye out for a glimpse! You can prolong your boat journey by following the canal onto the sea, where you can continue onwards to Negombo where you can hop into the town, do some shopping and return via boat to Waikkal.
HISTORIC CHURCHES AND TEMPLES NEAR THE AREA – WAIKKAL
Waikkal area has a spectrum of Temples, Churches and Mosques dating back to colonial era and beyond. If you have an eye for architecture and an appreciation for different cultures, then this is a place to wander about and visit these places of worship. Some key places to visit are: Angurukaramulla Buddhist Temple with a recorded history from 1868 and houses the largest statue of Buddha in the area; Pillayar Hindu Temple with a recorded history of 250 years which is likely to be the oldest Hindu Temple in Negombo; St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church built by Portuguese in 1570 which was subsequently destroyed and rebuilt by the Dutch in 1814; St. Stephen’s Anglican Church consecrated in 1879 situated next to the remnants of the Dutch Fort; Negombo Grand Mosque built in 1974.
Bandarawela, 10km north of Haputale but noticeably warmer, is a busy market town that makes a good base for exploring the surrounding area. Due to its agreeable climate, it’s a popular area to retire to. Each Sunday morning the town has a lively market. Otherwise Bandarawela has little to attract tourists. It’s a good transport hub if you’re heading east or further into the Hill Country.
Unawatuna is a cautionary tale for the rest of Sri Lanka's south coast. Where there was once a flawless crescent of golden sand that swept along a palm-lined shore with turquoise waters that had just enough surf to make for ideal swimming conditions, there is now one of Sri Lanka's less appealing beach towns.
The beautiful water is still there and you can still find decent patches of sand, but in several places greed has replaced good taste and common sense.
Bulldozers have pushed huge boulders right up to and beyond the high tide line, allowing for the construction of some especially ugly hotels and cafes.
Ironically, authorities have actually enforced setbacks on the west half of Unawatuna's beach and the result is much more salubrious.
Unawatuna makes for a good, quick beach escape from Galle's Fort: it's only 6km southeast. Otherwise it offers a cheap and cheerful sandy idyll, at least on the bulldozer- and boulder-free west end.
Ella is a small town in the Badulla District of Uva Province,Sri Lanka governed by an Urban Council. It is approximately 200 kilometers (120 mi) east of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 1,041 metres (3,415 ft) above the sea level. The area has a rich bio-diversity dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna. Ella is surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations. The town has acooler climate than its surroundings, due to its elevation. The Ella Gap allows views across the Southern plains of Sri Lanka.
