When you visit Tissamaharama (Tissa) – By Harold Gunatillake Website:www.Doctorharold.com Yala is home to majestic creatures— playful elephants, elusive leopards, and a symphony of bird calls. Each sighting is a heart-pounding moment, a pure and profound connection with nature.” “Welcome back, adventurers! Today, we’re embarking on a thrilling journey to the wild heart of Sri Lanka—Yala National Park, a sanctuary where the jungle meets the ocean, and Tissamaharama, a town steeped in history and the gateway to Yala’s wilderness.” Our journey from Kandy to Ella, via the Victoria Dam Road through Badulla, was pleasant. We found solace in the comfortable embrace of the Oak Ray Gap Hotel, where we spent a restful night. Our adventure begins with a scenic drive to Tissamaharama, affectionately known as Tissa. While some may overlook this town, it’s the perfect staging ground for our safari, offering a glimpse into the local life and culture.” As ...

Read More →

The Katharagama Foot Pilgrimage ( Pada Yathra ) – By Lakshitha Pasindu Jayamanna Source : Lakshitha Pasindu Jayamanna Linkedin The Katharagama Foot Pilgrimage in Sri Lanka is an annual spiritual journey of Hindus which starting from Selvasannithi Temple in Jaffna and ending at the sacred Murugan temple in Katharagama. Pilgrims walk 400 of kilometers over several weeks, traveling through diverse landscapes. This pilgrimage is not just a religious event but also an opportunity to experience natural beauty and cultural diversity in Sri Lanka. Along the way, pilgrims pass through beautiful natural attractions like Kumana National Park, Yala National Park, Kudumbigala Sanctuary and Katagamuwa Sanctuary. Kumana National Park is known for its birdlife, including migratory birds, while Yala National Park is famous for its leopards, elephants, and other wildlife. This is the only opportunity to walk through Yala and Kumana National Parks. Okandamalei Temple is the starting point of the pilgrimage to ...

Read More →

Experience the magic of Yala in comfort and style Source:Sundaytimes Located on the edge of Yala National Park, Hilton Yala Resort offers unparalleled access to the rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes that define this park. The Hotel has just announced a limited time offer that gives Sri Lankans and residents the opportunity to experience the magic of Yala in comfort and style. Priced from Rs. 120,000 per night for two people, the offer provides an unforgettable escape into the heart of Sri Lanka’s world-renowned Yala National Park. There are safaris expertly guided by the resort’s Wildlife Rangers and a Junior Ranger Programme that offers young adventurers a world of fun and learning, where they can identify animal tracks and birds, discover fascinating facts about wildlife, and earn a special badge to commemorate their experience. ...

Read More →

eLanka Newsletter – 20th March 2023 – 6th Edition Sri Lankans in Australia Click here or on the image below to read this week’s elanka Newsletter Photos from The Old Josephians’ Association of NSW – Feast, Mass and Social held on 16 March 2024 The Tollywood film stars in a Celebrity Cricket Carnival in Melbourne for the 1st time Champions in the T20 exhibition match. By CCC in Melbourne – sent by Johann Dias Jayasinha Microplastics have been discovered in the plaques that accumulate in the coronary arteries – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Rukrakaganno’s Ecological Reforestation Project in Singharaja Rainforest-by Michael Roberts Battle of the Saints” – Recap of Josephian-Peterite Encounters Looking after humble people in Estate Sector who were making our Economy strong – Sent by former Admiral Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne – eLanka  Hans Van Culenburg: An All-Time Boxing hero – By Lawrence Machado Felicitas (Girla) Appathurai turns ...

Read More →

Memories left behind by former Yala National Park Ranger in Charge Travis Meynert – 1930s to 40s Source : photos.google Introduction by daugther Forrest Meynert Woodbury – Travice and Kathleen met when Kathleen was still in school. He was keen to marry her and they became engaged when she was about 16 and married in 1939, when she was 18 and Travice was 29. I think they went to live at Palutupana after the wedding. I was born 5 years later in 1944. At some time they moved to Hambantota because I remember living there when I was 2 years old. I also remember visiting Palutupana when I was 4, but only living there for a short time. We also visited Buttuwa, and Yala at that time. Some time later Dad joined the Forestry Dept and we lived in Elpitiya. Phil, my brother, was born in 1948 while we were still ...

Read More →

Save our Elephants – By Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne Source : island The killing and dismembering of the tusker in Block 3 of Yala National Park recently brought tears to the eyes of elephant lovers. This poor animal stayed within the boundaries, marked by us to say “you are safe here”, and was still killed with a single shot to the head by inhuman poachers operating within the National Park. Further his small tusks were removed using a chainsaw. The tail was also removed because its hair is in high demand. Why is this happening? Why can we not catch these culprits? We should do our best to stop these inhuman activities. Sri Lanka Army’s elite units can help the Wildlife Department in this effort. As a local saying goes, you never get fed with watching ‘Bali and Ali’. ‘Bali’ is a traditional dance form and ‘Ali’ are elephants. An elephant ...

Read More →

Exploring the Mystical Charm of Kataragama Village in Sri Lanka – Bhanuka – eLanka Nestled in the southeastern part of Sri Lanka, Kataragama is a village that exudes an air of mysticism and spirituality. This quaint village, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse religious significance, attracts pilgrims, tourists, and spiritual seekers alike. From the revered Kataragama Temple to the lush Yala National Park, Kataragama offers a unique blend of spirituality and natural beauty that is worth exploring. In this article, we will take a closer look at the enchanting village of Kataragama and what makes it a must-visit destination. Historical Significance Kataragama’s history dates back thousands of years, making it one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and most revered pilgrimage sites. The village is mentioned in the ancient epic poem, the “Mahabharata,” as a place of worship. It is believed to have been a site of worship for various deities ...

Read More →

Special Vistas For Tourists in Sri Lanka Today-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis Lee Tulloch, in Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 2023, where the title reads = “Why you should visit this undersold, teardrop-shaped island right now” If there’s a country that could do with a lot of love right now, it’s Sri Lanka. Over the past three decades, the island nation has been ravaged by conflict and disaster, beginning with the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which claimed 30,000 lives, and the 26-year-long civil war, which ended in 2009. It had just re-emerged as a popular tourist destination when, on Easter Sunday 2019, an Islamic group, in retaliation for the Christchurch attacks thousands of kilometres away, bombed three churches and three luxury hotels in Colombo, unnerving the tourists who had returned in record numbers. ...

Read More →