Nature
The ‘para’ to Ampara
by Nilma Dole
Popularly known as Amparai or
Ampari, the district of Ampara was at one point the largest paddy
harvesting district in Sri Lanka. On a journey to Ampara from Colombo in
Western District, you are guaranteed of a scenic and interesting route
with plenty to do on the way. If you’re into more surfing action, you
can head to Arugam Bay, Pottuvil but even though it’s not the season,
you can be assured that you’re in for a joy ride.
Leaving Colombo should be done early in the morning, whatever the day
you’re planning to be there. It helps to leave space for any vehicle or
human disasters as it pays to be early. Make sure you stop over for a
night somewhere in between;otherwise it’ll be difficult to make the
journey straight from Colombo to Arugam Bay. You can pass a snug
bungalow in Nuwara Eliya or a safari camp in Udawalawe so a break in the
journey is good to get fresh air and get ready for another day of
travelling. Drivers should always check their vehicles and do routine
check-ups.
Getting on the route from Colombo on the A2 highway to Panadura,
always leave just before or just after rush hour. Usually this includes
school and work hours. Passing Panadura, get on to the A8 to Ratnapura
where you can stop for a breather.
Thereafter, it’s the A4 that takes you on a different turn so you can
pass Balangoda, Beragala and go to Moneragala. Or if you’re into some
serious adventure, pass Thanamalwila to find yourself on the fringes of
the Udawalawe National Park.
You can just gaze at the elephants over the protective bund or just
meet them near an electric fence they might ask you to share your sugar
cane with them. On a picturesque day, you will see the mountainous
plains of Moneragala coming into view; so remember to take your camera
with you.
Moneragala on the A4 highway is definitely an experience for any avid
traveller exploring Sri Lanka. Going to Pottuvil via Moneragala you can
peacefully travel on the well-paced and tarred roads. Along the way,
there are additional routes you can take to discover other places of
fun. Passing Moneragala, you’ll come to Siyabalanduwa which is about
15km before Pottuvil where you will chance upon the Lahugala Kitulana
National Park.
Home to a stunning range of wildlife, you can catch sight of
trumpeting elephants and graceful peacocks during their dances. If
you’re lucky, you might happen to get a photograph of Brahimy Eagles
sharing a snake with their clan. Since it is the rainy season now, the
heavy rains overfloods the arid park and there are patches of water
making them look like lakes. Other aspects of the journey are all
paddyfields and countryside where you will pass small towns with smiling
faces. You can stop and engage in some pow-wow with the locals to get a
feel of the journey so that you aren’t too stressed with the travel. The
nature is so rich and diverse that you can see everything from
Blue-tailed Bee eaters to the Crimson Flame-Backed Woodpecker. Along the
way, snakes in every type of colour and kind slither away as you drive
on the roads.
Once you enter the outskirts of Pottuvil, you can sight lovely places
like the soil mountain, where huge amounts of sand collect to form a
huge mountain. The Pottuvil point, Crocodile rock are other places to
see with the definite number one hang out Arugam Bay! |
