Wattegama Archives

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 ...

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 ...