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| Sunday, 16 January 2005 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Beauty of our falling waters Waterfalls add beauty to the scenic splendour of the mountain region as they flow with soothing sounds down the mountain slopes.
Each waterfall has its unique characteristic as it flows down to rivers passing different districts. Only a few of Sri Lanka's waterfalls can be viewed with ease. There are many more hidden in thick forests - on the mountain slopes and in the valleys. The few that are within easy access have delighted nature enthusiasts from around the world. Bambarakande Falls The tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka which drops down 263 metres like liquid light. Its peak capacity is during September and October. It is only four miles away from the Colombo-Bandarawela road in a forest glade, but it is not visited often, though it is well worth the trip. Diyaluma Falls The second highest waterfall is located 13 km towards " Koslanda " on the Wellawaya Road. It is 220 metres in height. Kirindi Oya Falls The third tallest waterfall. It cascades down 206 metres. Olu Falls The fourth tallest waterfall, 200 metres in height and belongs to the Kelani River. St. Claire Falls The widest waterfall in Sri Lanka, about 80 metres in height. You can see it on your way to Nuwara Eliya. Bopath ella Falls Along the Ratnapura road, on the Agalawatta crossroad which is very narrow and winding, one can see the beautiful " Bopath ella Falls ". The 30 metre fall which descends in three cascades in the shape of a Bo leaf, is a spectacular sight. It can be seen from afar, from the road opposite the falls. Laxapana Falls Laxapana fall is 125 metres in height and belongs to the Kelani River. Aberdeen Falls A mere 5 Km away from Laxapana you will find the 98 metres high Aberdeen Falls. Devon Falls Devon falls ( 97 metres ) can be best viewed from the 20th mile post of the Talawakele-Nawalapitiya highway. Rawana Falls 49 metres in height. Visible from the Ella-Wellawaya road, near Udunuwara village. A popular stopover for travellers. Elgin Falls Railway between Nanu Oya and Ambewela offers a panoramic view of the 25 meteres high Elgin Falls. Bridal Falls The winding highway to the Nuwara Eliya Plateau offers a memorable view of Bridal Falls, resembling a bridal veil while flowing down the rock face. Ramboda Falls This waterfall can be seen from the Ramboda Bazaar on the Nuwara Eliya-Ramboda road and is 109 metres in height. Dunhinda falls When you travel for about five kilometres from the Badulla town along Mahiyangana road you can reach the path leading to Dunhinda falls. It is 60 metres in height and is an ideal location for picnics. Nawarathna Falls This fall is 109 metres in height and belongs to the Mahaveli River. Mapanana Falls This fall is 137 metres in height. *************** Virgin Atlantic flight for tsunami victims Virgin Atlantic Airways operated an Airbus A340-300 from London Heathrow to Colombo on 2nd January 2005, carrying 46 tons of drinking water donated by Summerfield's in the UK. The airline is working with Oxfam and other aid organizations who are coordinating the shipments coming to Colombo and getting this much needed clean water across to the people who need it most. "Virgin Unite Charity is working with Virgin Atlantic and the whole group in a massive fund raising effort and we are carrying a lot of aid to India while continuing to raise funds to be able to do more for the Tsunami victims," said Lyell Strambi, Chief Operating Officer of Virgin Atlantic who flew in to Colombo on this special flight. He confirmed that Chairman of the airline Sir Richard Branson had made a contribution of Sterling Pounds 50 thousand to DEC - Disaster Emergency Committee and the airline too is contributing to this charity. Lyell Strambi the COO was accompanied to Colombo by Matthew Lee, Director Flight Operations of Virgin Atlantic, Andrew Fyfe, General Manager India, Jean Oelvang and a team from Virgin Atlantic Airways. The flight was operated by Captain Tony Barraclough and his crew. *************** Jetwing hotels open All Jetwing Hotels are open for business other than the Yala Safari Game Lodge, which was fully damaged by the recent disaster. Given below is the number of rooms that are functioning: The Blue Water - All rooms(96 + 4 suites), Lighthouse Hotel & Spa - All rooms (60 +3 suites), The Beach -All rooms(75 + 3 suites), Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel -All rooms (108), Sea Garden Hotel All rooms (27), Seashells Hotel - All Rooms(72), Ayurveda Pavilions - All rooms(12), Hunas Falls Hotel - All rooms(31), St. Andrew's - All rooms (52), Tropical Villas -All rooms(50), total rooms593. The Lighthouse Hotel & Spa and The Blue Water, the ground floor of both hotels were affected including 16 rooms at The Blue Water and the spa of the Lighthouse Hotel & Spa. As per the loss of lives, we have had at Yala Safari Game Lodge nine staff members, one spouse and two children. There were 124 guests at the Yala Safari Game Lodge at the time the Tsunami hit Yala. There are now at present 27 reported dead, 9 missing and 88 alive. *************** Tangerine First Group Arrival Tangerine Beach Hotel and Royal Palms Beach Hotel is fully operational. Foreign holiday travellers have now started patronizing both hotels. The guests were given a grand welcome on arrival. The group had a very pleasant stay at Royal Palms and they highly commended Royal Palms for commencing operations within a very short period of time after the recent setback. This group did a round tour while they were holidaying in Sri Lanka to Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and the Cultural Triangle enjoying the sights and sounds and the many attractions that Sri Lanka has to offer. |
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