Nuwara Eliya Archives

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Nil Garunda Rock – unique rock deposit By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located in the remote hamlet of Rupaha in Walapane in Nuwara Eliya District approximately 74 kilometers from Kandy, Nil Garunda Gala (meaning Nil Garunda Rock also known as Marble Rock or Serpentine Rock) is a unique rock deposit, considered as the only such rock deposit in South Asia. Some scholars are of the view that there is no such type of rock anywhere in the world. Although, Nil Garunda Rock is similar to *Rose Quartz Mountain Range in Namal Uyana, this is a relatively unknown and rarely visited sight. The uniqueness of the Rock is its bluish green color that glitters due to sunlight. The surface of the Rock is soft and shiny, unlike a piece of granite. According to folklore, this unique “rock is growing” and mending and has healing properties too. Hence, a lot of damage has been ...

Jul 5, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Garunda Oya, King Rawana, Nil Garunda Rock, Nuwara Eliya, Ramayana

“Anglo-Ceylonese”: A Missing Dimension in British Ceylon – By Michael Roberts The conquest of the island of Ceilao by the British between 1796 and 1818 was an outcome of their imperial conquests in India and underpinned by their sea power. The presence of their troops and other personnel in British India was so extensive that in time a new ethnic category-cum-group emerged in the localities (usually towns) with British personnel: namely, the Anglo-Indians.[i] By the late 19th century these people of mixed descent spawned by British personnel in India stood as a distinct community of Christians speaking Indian English as their mother-tongue and oriented to both India and the United Kingdom. Source:thuppahis.com They were sufficiently prominent to be given one reserved seat in the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi in 1919 and then went on to establish the All-India Anglo-Indian Association in 1926.[ii] Their orientation towards Westernised lifeways was so strong that Anglo-Indians in ...

Jun 14, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Michael Roberts Tagged Anglo-Ceylonese, Army missionary, British India, Iranga Silva, Nuwara Eliya

“PLANTERS PERSONIFIED” – by Des Kelly From way back when, it was understood, that, to be a Planter in Ceylon was indeed, top lucrative employment in what was always classified as a “classy” job. I have to say that I really do not know too much about “Coffee Planters”, but did have an Uncle (God rest his soul), who was the Superintendant on a Tea plantation in Warakapola, who lived like a king, in a beautiful, large home, complete with many “Domestic-aids”, at beck and call. As part of the family, we did spend some holidays with him, my Aunt, and a couple or three Cousins, and I could not help but notice the daily routine of this Planter-personified. His day would start very early each morning, as he would “attend” his plantation which consisted of many acres of lush green tea plants, already being looked after by mostly ...

May 2, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, DESMOND KELLY Tagged Carson Cumberbatch, Gamini Seneviratne, George Steuarts, Mackwoods, Nuwara Eliya, Whittall Boustead

Baker’s Bend – enigmatic viewpoint By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located at an elevation of 1700 meters (approximately 5000 feet) above sea level in the upper edge of Nanperial Estate (also known as Nonpareil Estate) bordering the famous wildlife reserve *Horton Plains and surrounded by gorgeous mountains of the World’s End Mountain Range, the unique viewpoint Baker’s Bend offers marvelous vistas of Sri Lanka’s Southern Province towards the Indian Ocean as well as*Udawalawe and *Samanala Wewa Reservoirs on a fog free day. Panoramic vistas of Balathuduwa, Gommolikanda and Adarakanda mountain ranges can also be seen. Bakers Bend is a downhill slope of a single elbow bend. Although, the viewpoint is located in *Ratnapura District of *Sabaragamuwa Province, the climate is similar to that of *Nuwara Eliya. The viewpoint is a less visited site away from the hustle and bustle of the famous tourist locations. Many visitors call this viewpoint and the hike ...

Nov 24, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Nuwara Eliya, Samanala Wewa, Samuel Baker, Udawalawe Reservoir

Moon Plains – aura of magical splendor in Central Highlands By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated about nine kilometers from Nuwara Eliya town, Sandatenna (translated as Moon Plains) is an epitome of pristine beauty in the Central Highlands. Pidurutalagala, Horton Plains National Park and Hakgala Botanical Gardens are the most visited sites in Nuwara Eliya, whereas Moon Plains is a site rarely visited by the majority of tourists. Yet, it is an ideal site for those who like to admire spectacular vistas and capture the aura of magical splendor. This is an ideal place for nature enthusiasts as well as average tourists as the view from the summit of Moon Plains is similar to an epic scene, a place described in fairy tales. A magnificent platform has been constructed at the summit. Hence, visitors can see breathtaking vistas of the surroundings as well as the valley below. According to some foreign tourists, ...

Jul 2, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Arundathie Abeysinghe, Badulla, Moon Plains, Nuwara Eliya, Uva Province

Child Action Lanka A future of well-being, value and equality for every child, everywhere. This is the mission that child action Lanka has been working towards since 2006. From a humble beginning at a basement space rented in Kandy, Child action Lanka started its mission with 10 children in their care. Today the organization has a national presence in 7 of Sri Lanka’s 25 districts (Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Kelaniya, Batticaloa, Killinochchi, Galle, Akkarayan and Colombo) and serves over 1500 children and over 500 families island wide, transforming the lives of children and women focusing mainly on education, child protection, healthcare, nutrition and community empowerment provided free of charge. The work it does grows and continues from strength to strength in seeing more avenues open, while being recognized by the Government for its services. Many children around Sri Lanka start their life at a disadvantage simply because of who they ...

Jun 4, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Batticaloa, Child Action Lanka, Nuwara Eliya

Gregory Lake – spectacular tourist attraction in ‘Little England’ By Arundathie Abeysinghe Surrounded by spectacular vistas, breathtaking misty mountains and serene blue skies, Gregory Lake also known as Lake Gregory is a well-known tourist attraction as well as a location for recreational activities and water sports that has been in existence in *Nuwara Eliya from the British Colonial Era to date. Gregory Lake is the most prominent, scenic attraction and historical landmark in Nuwara Eliya town visited by local as well as foreign tourists. The Lake and its surroundings are crowded during April, the tourist season in Nuwara Eliya, although, some people, especially locals visit the area during the off season too. During the British Colonial Era, the Lake had been created with the objective of providing electricity to Nuwara Eliya town. To date, electricity to Nuwara Eliya town is generated from the water of the Lake. Yet, from ...

Apr 3, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Central Province, Little England, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Pidurutalagala

“NUWARA ELIYA” – by Des Kelly The Town I would have chosen to live in, had I been born again in Ceylon, which is also the “name” I have always preferred, for the tiny teardrop of an Island that was to be my home, for all of twenty six hectic, yet glorious years that I enjoyed enormously, before having to leave, very reluctantly in order to migrate to Australia. I still vividly remember my very first visit to this Town in the verdant hills of home. My Uncle Fred de Kretser was an engine-driver with the Ceylon Government Railway. It was around the year of 1944 and I was very nearly eight years old, when Uncle Fred spoke to my mum asking for her permission to take me on-board his steam-engine for a trip to “New-Raliya”, as we used to pronounce the name ...

Mar 30, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, DESMOND KELLY Tagged Nuwara Eliya

Galway’s Land National Park – montane ecosystem in Nuwara Eliya By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated about two kilometers from Nuwara Eliya on the outskirts of the town, Galway’s Land National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Sri Lanka with an extent of 29 hectares. Located towards east of Nuwara Eliya town, the Park is popular among people of all walks of life, yet not an overcrowded place ideal for a leisurely stroll while admiring the breathtaking scenery of the surroundings. Galway’s Land National Park was initially declared as a wildlife sanctuary on May 27, 1938 and was declared as a national park on May 18, 2006 to conserve the montane ecosystem within the Park. Galway’s Land National Park is named after Colonel Galway, a British Army Officer who arrived in *Ceylon in the 19th century. He was presented with the land of the Park by the British ...

Jan 16, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Ceylon, Galway’s Land, Nuwara Eliya

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