Nature trail

Cascading beauties

Who isn’t captivated by the picturesque waterfalls that cascade down mountains amidst lush green foliage? Last week we featured some of these mesmerising falls found abundantly in our country.

Today too we feature, with a brief description, a few more of these waterbodies that enhance the beauty of our scenic motherland. Some of them are not popular, but they are as beautiful as those that are.

Even though many tourists may not be keen to visit them, we hope that by introducing them to you, we could kindle an interest in you to view these beautiful wayside or roadside falls, whenever you visit these areas.

You will be surprised at the way they could bewitch you as they cascade down steep rock faces or gently wind their way down into pools and rivers, to make their final journey to the mighty ocean.

Makeli Falls

The waterfall which is about 33 feet (10 metres) high flows down over an almost vertical, hard rock bed about 40 feet (12 m) in breadth. It is a wayside fall located very close to the Kukule Ganga, hydro-electricity project which generates 70 Mega Watts per day, in the Kalutara district.

The Makeli Dola, a stream rising in Kalawana as a branch stream of Kukule Ganga, after flowing through villages and mountains, eventually joins the Kukule Ganga once again at Makeliya forming the Makeli Falls. The waters of Kukule Ganga hydro-electricity project, Kulule Ganga and Makeli Dola join at the same point and flow further to join Kalu Ganga which flows into the Indian Ocean at Kalutara.

Diyaluma Falls

According to data provided by past surveyors, this beautiful waterfall is the third highest in the country, but it is popularly believed to be the highest.Located on the Beragala-Wellawaya road, the altitude of this picturesque fall is recorded as 171 metres or 564 ft.

It is formed by the waters of the Punagala Oya which rises in the Mahakauda Pass and flows into Kuda Oya, which is a tributary of the Kirindi Ganga.Even though the shape of the fall is similar to that of Bambarakanda Falls, the latter has a larger volume of water and is nicer in appearance as it flows like a bridal veil over the vertical hard rock slab, into a deep pool.

Pundalu Oya Falls

A majestic wayside waterfall in the Nuwara Eliya district, this is also known as the Duhsinane Falls (to the villagers and estate workers) and Sheen Falls (in some texts).

Located in the Pundalu Oya area, five km from the town, the waterfall which is 330 feet in height begins as a stream in the northern slope of the Great Western mount (2,423 m) and flows through Kotmale Oya to join the Mahaweli River.

The water from the stream flows down a broad, hard rock bed in a tiered-like effect. It then flows past a Hindu Kovil located nearby, crosses the road under the bridge and cascades down to join the Pundalu Oya.

Dunhinda Falls

This world famous waterfall which has inspired many a song writer too due to its spectacular appearance is located just five km from Badulla, on the Badulla-Mahiyangana main road.The fall which is 63 mts (208 ft) in height is formed by the Badulu Oya that rises in the mountains South and West of the Hettipola Ella.

It joins the Mahaweli River. A large amount of water plunges through the narrow lips of the rock and flows over the rock wall into a deep pool; foam spray, like smoke rises from the pool inspiring the name Dunhinda.A series of legends are associated with this waterfall and many different interpretations too are given to the origin of its name.

We Oya Falls

Only 66 feet (20 m) high, rising in the Bombepola Forest in the North of We Oya Estate, in the Kegalle District, it is very picturesque as it plunges from a steep granite rock, the colours of which are brown and a silvery blue.

The water first falls into a shallow pool at the bottom of the rock and joins the We Oya. Then onwards it flows under the narrow bridge near the estate factory and joins the Kelani Ganga (river).

Anda Wela Falls

Another wayside beauty located (on 49th km post) on the Kandy-Ragala main road via Walapane, it is 132 ft in height.

Also known as Anda Dola Falls it rises in the Naya-Maruhinne mount 1,505 metres) and plunges in several cascades over a brown, steep rock to join the Belihul Oya (not to be mistaken with the Belihul Oya in the Balangoda area).

As with most waterfalls where the volume of water increases during the rainy seasons, Anda Wela Falls too increases in volume during heavy rainfall; the waters spread over the rock boulders creating a picturesque effect of a flowing veil.

Beruwatte Falls

Located on the Ratnapura-Balangoda road (via Malwala) the falls can be seen well from the Wewelawatte-Balangoda road via Dehena and Alupola falls, at a very lower elevation; here the water flows through a valley of thick jungle.

The 50 metre (165 ft) fall rises from Mount Balakotunna which is 732 metres in height, and flows directly into a deep pool over boulders resembling a following veil.

Ethini Wala Falls

A beautiful 50 ft waterfall which hasn’t gained much publicity, the Ethini Wala Falls which was originally called the Ethinnna Mala Ella is located six km from Padiyapelella towards Mandaramnuwara, in the Maturata area.

The origin of the name is based on a folktale about a she-elephant (ethinna or ethini) who had been killed after falling into the deep pool while bathing. Hence the original name Ethinna (she-elephant) Mala (died) Ella (falls). With the passage of time however the name has changed to its present form.

The brook rising in the jungles above the falls plunges down through a black granite rock without cascades into a very deep pool which overflows, crosses the road under a bridge and joins the Mahaweli River to flow into the ocean.

Lover’s Leap Falls

A beautiful waterfall set in the upper border of the Redro Tea Estate, it could be seen well from Hawa Eliya in Nuwara Eliya. The name of the 30 metre high fall is derived from the area of the tea plantation which is referred to as the Lover’s Leap Division by the management of the estate.

The brook giving birth to this fall rises from the Southern slope of Mount Pidurutalagala, the highest mountain (2484 m) in Sri Lanka.

A list of waterfalls

Alakola Falls

Alupola Falls

Anda Dola Falls

Asupini Falls

Balla Mala Falls

Bambara Kiri Falls

Bambaragala Seven Falls

Bomburu Falls

Dehena Falls

Doovili Falls (Sinharaja)

Diyawanna Falls

Etha Mala Falls

Glassaugh Falls

Hath Male Falls

Kirindi Falls

Lebonon Falls

Manna Kethi Falls

Mohinee Falls

Olu Falls

Puwak Mal Falls

Rampatha Falls

Rukmal Falls

Sampatha Falls

Theli Falls

Udamankada Falls

Vedda Peni Falls

Yaka Andu Falls