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Meemure – Paradise hamlet in Central Highlands By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located about 324 meters above sea level among verdant vistas, cascading waterfalls, terraced paddy fields, misty spectacular mountains, Meemure is an isolated paradise hamlet in the *Central Province with a population of about 400 people, away from modern day civilization. With exceptional natural beauty, magnificent fragrant wild flowers, arecanut (Areca catechu) and kithul trees (Caryota urens), reed bushes and cattle grazing in home gardens, eco friendly houses made of clay and spear grass, boundaries of houses as well as lands demarcated by stone-ridges with stones piled neatly, wooden fences leading to large home-gardens with rock stones as steps to reach the houses, this highland hamlet is a serene paradise nestled among breathtaking mountains. One boundary of Meemure is marked by the gently flowing Karambaganga Ela (Ela meaning stream in Sinhala). The hamlet is encompassed by scenic pyramid shaped *Lakegala ...

Jan 11, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Central Province, Chena cultivation, Kandy, Lakegala Mountain, Matale, Matale Districts, Pitawala Pathana, Wattegama,  Hunnasgiriya Mountain Range,  Knuckles Mountain Range

Bogoda Wooden Bridge – oldest surviving wooden bridge in Sri Lanka By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated in Hali-Ela in Badulla, Bogoda Wooden Bridge dates to 1600s, but the temple adjoining the Bridge dates to the first century BC. The covered wooden bridge was built across the *Gallanda Oya, (Oya meaning stream in Sinhala), a branch of Uma Oya in *Badulla District; a tributary of the *Mahaweli River which is on an ancient route that linked Badulla and Kandy in the past. According to folklore, the Bridge was built for Buddhist Pilgrims from Badulla to cross the rock strewn Gallanda Oya on their way to Kandy to worship at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. The wooden railings on both sides of the Bridge are decorated with elaborate ornamental work influenced by the art and crafts of the *Kandyan Era. The Kandyan style clay shingle roof is supported by ...

Jan 4, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Anuradhapura, Brahmi script, Gallanda Oya, Hali ela, Kandyan Era, Mahaweli River, Uva Province

Aluvihare Rock Temple – historic temple of a landmark Buddhist event By Arundathie Abeysinghe Surrounded by verdant hills Aluvihare Rock Temple is a historic temple situated in Matale in *Matale – *Dambulla Road about 30 kilometers from Kandy City. History of the Rock Temple dates to 3rd century BC, the era of King Devanampiyatissa (247 BC – 207 BC). According to legends, King Devanampiyatissa had founded the Rock Temple after the introduction of Buddhism to *Ceylon and had also built the dagoba (stupa) and planted the *Bo sapling in the temple premises. The Rock Temple spreads across a large area through rocks and verdant vistas interspersed with coconut palms. The Rock Temple is the historic location where the *Tripitaka, the Pali canon was first written in text on *ola leaves. Situated on several levels of rock surface and lush greenery, the atmosphere of the Rock Temple has a majestic ...

Jan 4, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Brahmi, Nirvana, Pali, Theravada Buddhism, Tripitaka

Udawattakele Sanctuary – Royal Forest Park of Kandy City By Arundathie Abeysinghe Udawattakele Sanctuary, popularly known as “Udawattakele” is a historic forest reserve situated on a hill-ridge behind Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) in Kandy City. Udawattakele Sanctuary is also known as the Royal Forest Park. During the Kandyan Kingdom, Udawattakele Sanctuary was known as Uda Wasala Watta (Upper Palace Garden or the garden situated above the Royal Palace) as it was used by the royals, was a forbidden forest and out of bounds (Tahansikele) for ordinary people. According to folklore, King Sena Sammata Wickramabahu (1473 – 1511), the first king of the Kandyan Kingdom, had his Royal Palace inside Udawattakele. The forest reserve had been a pleasure garden and a safe haven for the Royal family. During the Kandyan Kingdom, the Queens had used the pond in the Park for bathing and it was called ...

Jan 2, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Acronychia pedunculata, Arundathie Abeysinghe, Cittavisuddhi-lena, Maitiri-lena, Senanayaka Aramaya, Senkada, Udawattakele, Udawattakele Sanctuary

Adisham Bungalow – wrapped in serenity of misty hills By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated about four kilometers from Haputale and designed in Tudor and Jacobean style, similar to Leeds Castle in Kent with solid granite walls as well as long narrow windows and chimneys, Adisham Bungalow is situated in a spectacular environment with undulating mountain ranges and breathtaking valleys. The well-maintained charming gardens with blooming flowers of the Bungalow have the allure of English Gardens. The terraced well-manicured lawns, flowerbeds as well as the orchards are etched on the skyline to take the shape of an outline known as “Sleeping Warrior”. Visitors to Adisham are enchanted by the melodious chirpings of green barbets, paradise flycatchers, blue magpies, horn bills as well as some endemic birds which frequent the area. The railway line between Haputale and *Idalgashinna Railway Stations is situated below the Bungalow. Situated in the verdant mountains of ...

Dec 27, 2020 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Badulla, Ceylon, Diyatalawa, Hakgala, Namunukula, Uva

Gannoruwa Agro Technology Park – alluring edible landscaping By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated in the salubrious climate of Gannoruwa in Peradeniya about four kilometers from Kandy City and bounded by the *Mahaweli River on three sides with an elevation of about 473 meters above sea level, *Gannoruwa Agro Technology Park is a novel concept in agriculture. Located in close proximity to world renowned Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, the Park provides glimpses of almost all crops and herbs in Sri Lanka displayed in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The Park is situated on both sides of the Gannoruwa Road with each side comprising different sections; diverse local plant species, model home garden with an arched entrance of granadilla (Passiflora quadrangularis) vines, a tissue culture division as well as a plant diseases section with information about different plant diseases and how to treat them. The Park provides information on traditional as well as modern ...

Dec 22, 2020 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Gannoruwa, Mahaweli River, Peradeniya

Nuwara Eliya Post Office – Tudor style iconic structure in Central Highlands By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated approximately 180 kilometers from Colombo and 76 kilometers from Kandy, popularly known as “Little England”, Nuwara Eliya is an idyllic misty little town in the Central Highlands with many iconic structures of the British Colonial Era. Nuwara Eliya has several quaint well-maintained structures including bungalows with enchanting picket fences dating to colonial period with timeless beauty, adding glamour to the picturesque hill country town. Among them, the iconic landmark, Nuwara Eliya Post Office situated in close proximity to popular Victoria Park functioning to date is visited by a large number of people including foreigners. Constructed in 1894, with an aura of yesteryear, the well-maintained structure with red bricked walls, the majestic Nuwara Eliya Post Office is housed in a Tutor architectural style two storey structure which includes a clock tower spiraling out ...

Dec 19, 2020 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Arundathie Abeysinghe, Nuwara Eliya Post Office

Ravana Ella and Ravana Cave – entwined in myth and legend By Arundathie Abeysinghe Cascading from a height of 25 meters grandly down many rock faces from an oval-shaped concave rocky outcrop, Ravana Ella (Ella meaning waterfall in Sinhala) or Ravana Falls is the source of many myths and legends. Ravana Ella is one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka and also a major tourist attraction. This waterfall is situated in Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary about six kilometers from *Ella Railway Station on the road towards south of Sri Lanka through Ella Gap. It is linked to the Hindu epic *Ramayana – a historic tale that is based in India and Sri Lanka. According to Ramayana, the waterfall is named after the famous king, King Ravana who kidnapped Princess Sita from India and hid her in the caves behind the waterfall. The waterfall is surrounded by lush vegetation ...

Dec 13, 2020 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Arundathie Abeysinghe, Badulla, Bandarawela, Hali ela, Nuwara Eliya, Ramayana, Sri Lanka, Uva Province

Sembuwatta Lake – magnificent splendor amidst verdant vistas By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated in the premises of Elkaduwa Plantation adjacent to Campbell Lane Forest Reserve amidst verdant spectacular vistas, Sembuwatta Lake is a picturesque man-made lake similar to a magnificent painting. Located in *Matale District and situated at an elevation of 1140 meters, Sembuwatta Lake is a mass stretch of deep emerald green natural spring water. Towering above the Lake are thick pine forests, rolling carpets of tea, misty mountains outlined with dark green trees and cool blasts of wind. Sembuwatta Lake is popular as a “paradise” by local and foreign tourists. The serene atmosphere of the Lake and its surroundings is only disturbed by the rustling of leaves of nearby trees as they sway in the cool mountain air. At times, the location is mist engulfed, especially by mid afternoon but the mist shifts with wind rendering a cinematic ...

Dec 8, 2020 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Elkaduwa, Hunugala Road, Matale District, Sembuwatta Lake, Ukuwela junction, Wattegama

Demodara Railway Loop – engineering marvel of Colonial Era By Arundathie Abeysinghe Demodara is a scenic town located close to Ella and is popular for the curved Nine Arch Bridge between *Ella and *Demodara Railway Stations and the famous railway loop considered as a unique engineering marvel of British Colonial Era. Situated about 15 minutes drive from Ella, Demodara Railway Station is a unique Railway Station not seen in any part of Sri Lanka located between Ella and *Uduwara Railway Stations. According to tourists, this beautiful and unusual Railway Station is the only such kind of station in the world. The Railway Station is situated on top of a tunnel. The beauty of the Railway Loop is its location and its unique structure. The railway track that goes through the tunnel ascends in a loop to the Demodara Railway Station and winds its way gracefully. But this feature cannot ...

Dec 8, 2020 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Demodara Railway Loop