Diyatalawa- Health Resort Gateway – By Dr Harold Gunatillake
Diyatalawa is a town in the Badulla District in southern Sri Lanka. The name “Diyatalawa” means “the watered plain.” It is situated around 115 miles east of Colombo and at an altitude of 4,918 ft. Due to its high altitude, Diyatalawa is much more relaxed than the Lowlands and provides a welcome respite for sailors sent there.
Are you tired of the same old vacation spots? Do you crave a unique and rejuvenating experience? Look no further than Diyatalawe, the ultimate health resort getaway. Located in the serene mountains of Sri Lanka, this hidden treasure has been providing rest for centuries. With breathtaking views and fresh mountain air, you’ll feel like you’re in your world. But don’t just take our word for it. Come and discover the forgotten paradise of Diyatalawe for yourself and experience the ultimate wellness and rejuvenation. Discover the hidden gem of Diyatalawa, a health resort that has transformed from a military base into a serene sanctuary.
Enjoy the area’s stunning natural beauty while rejuvenating your mind and body. With state-of-the-art facilities, including [specific facilities], and expert staff, most bungalow and villa resorts can ensure a safe and comfortable stay. Come and experience the tranquility and wellness that Diyatalawa has to offer.
During the motorsports Sunday, we stayed at the Greystone Villa bungalow in Diyatalawe, bordering the Bandarawela Haputale road. The spot was so tranquil, with tall natural trees shading the villa and distant panoramic views, and this is one of the best bungalows in the area.
We were taken by this bungalow, Greystone villa, with its surrounding landscaped garden and exquisite views of the valley and the mountains, embraced by white clouds in the morning, and were ecstatic. Here, I show a few captured morning shots of the Haputale range of hills grasped by the white clouds and pictures of the villa’s interior and the landscaped land surrounding it. Decades ago, Diyatalawa was a popular destination for those seeking a health resort and a family holiday. However, the district fell into obscurity over time. Recently, concerted efforts have been made to revitalise it, including introducing an annual motor racing event and establishing a holiday resort catering to visitors seeking respite from the hot climate of Colombo and the western coastal towns. A century ago, Diyatalawa served as a sanatorium for patients with tuberculosis.
The climate of Diyatalawa was particularly conducive to recovery from lung infections. From the mid-19th to the mid-20th century, Europe witnessed the establishment of sanatoria, where tuberculosis patients, isolated from the general population, could undergo treatment programs and outdoor excursions to aid their recovery. Until the discovery of anti-tuberculous drugs, like streptomycin, for TB, the treatment for TB was limited to warmth, rest, and good food. So, in Ceylon, Diyatalawe was considered the most suitable place for a sanatorium. Now, how did Diyatalawe become a centre for military prominence? Diyatalawa first became military prominence when the British Government opened a camp for 5,000 Boer prisoners of war in the early 20th century.
After that, Diyatalawa served in the Royal Navy as a sanatorium for naval personnel of the Royal Navy’s East Indies Station. A military training depot was also established here for many then-Ceylon Defence Force volunteer units. With the advent of independence, the Ceylon Army was formed on 10th October 1949, and the military area in Diyatalawa was the obvious choice to train the personnel of the fledgling Arm. What is the history of Fox Hill Diyatalawa? Fox Hill (Nariya Kanda in Sinhalese) is the venue for the annual Fox Hill Motor Cross, launched in 1993 by the Sri Lanka Military Academy. It was named after the fox engraved into the hill by British soldiers using the quartes scattered all over it. History reveals that the British ruled most of South and South East Asia in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Towards the latter part of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century, the Boer War occurred in South Africa between Great Britain and the Dutch colonists of the Transvaal and the Orange State.
As a result, the British transferred many of their prisoners to various countries and colonies in South and South East Asia. One of the countries into which they brought their prisoners was Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon). In popular belief, a group of these prisoners was brought to the country in the ship “HMS FOX”, which was quite old and, as a result, had to be docked very often in Sri Lanka for repairs.
On one such occasion in 1913, the “HMS FOX” had been docked at the Trincomalee harbour, and the Captain and its crew visited Diyatalawa, where there was a naval station. Whilst enjoying their stay in Diyatalawa amidst salubrious climes and environs that resembled England, the Captain and the crew were fascinated by the idea of having their ship’s emblem displayed on a hillock to remember their visit to this beautiful town, Diyatalawa. They walked up a prominent hillock in the area and, with the assistance of the Boer War prisoners who were stationed in Diyatalawa, placed pieces of white granite depicting a fox and below it the name of the ship “HMS FOX” followed by the year 1913.
Since then, this particular hillock has been called “Fox Hill.” The “Fox Hill Supercross” derives its name from the track’s location in the Fox Hill area. The Sri Lanka Military Academy built and maintained the track adjacent to Fox Hill. Fox Hill Supercross motor races started in 2010 and continued annually until 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic stopped the annual races and recommenced this year on April 21, 2024. It was pleasant to see thousands and thousands of people under umbrellas waiting for the magic moment of the prominent sounds. Yes, the sounds were big, and the racing motorcyclists’ leap jumps thrilled the spectators with loud cheers and applause. Unfortunately, about 3 p.m., there was a big lull, and the bad news was announced, closing further events.
This year, at the Supercross rally, there was an accident, and seven people died, and the race was promptly suspended, to the disappointment of over 10,000 spectators. Seven people have been killed and 21 injured after a race car ploughed into spectators at a motor event in Sri Lanka. The crash occurred at the Fox Hill Supercross race on Sunday in Diyatalawa, an army base town. Among the dead were four race officials as well as spectators, including an eight-yearold girl, the army said. Police have arrested two drivers, though their condition remains unclear. Authorities said a full police investigation was underway into the crash on the armyowned track. Diyatalawa, in central southern Sri Lanka, is a former garrison town where the military maintains an academy.
BBC Sinhala quoted police spokesman Nihal Talduwa as saying, “This accident happened when the car jumped out of the running lane.” There were over 10,000 spectators, and they went home sad and disappointed. We were disappointed too, and returned to our dream bungalow. So, the night we spent at the Greystone Villas. Next morning’s early walk was most refreshing. The staff was well-trained to serve us with a smile, and the young chef gave us homecooked string hoppers, pol rotis with spicy sambals, etc. We left after breakfast, and driver Nuan drove us back to Kandy. So, viewers, that was our long weekend.
Please spend a few weeks in Diyatalawa for a great, exciting holiday, plus a pampered wellness program, at this Villa bungalowGreystones. There is an end to all good pleasures. Hope you will share and enjoy this video, and let us pray RIP to those victims who left us this world. Stay safe. Enjoy in life, and goodbye for now.
This video serves as a valuable resource for Sri Lankans worldwide who are considering planning their upcoming vacation in Sri Lanka. We present this guide with great pleasure, compliments of Dr. Harold Gunatillake.
Web Site:- www.Doctorharold.com
