Hunting of Sinharajaya Waterfalls

We had a journey to explore all the waterfalls in Sinharajaya. But we had to do it in two separate dates as per the time availability. However we have covered many waterfalls located at the border of Sinharajaya and some other falls located nearby villages too.

• Neluwa Duwili Ella
• Lankagama Duwili Ella
• Lankagama Brahmana Ella
• Tattu Ella
• Gal Oruwa Ella
• Hathmale Ella

Neluwa Dowili Ella Falls – නෙළුව දූවිලි ඇල්ල

Sinharaja Rain Forest is home to 19 waterfalls out of which 11 are located in the Galle District. They are Pathanoya Falls, Suduwalikotha Falls, Brahmana Falls, Hathbinna Falls, Malmora Falls, Neluwa Dowili falls, Wathugala falls, Lankagama Kekuna Falls, Nellugolla Falls and Beraliya Dola Falls.

One of the most popular falls in this area is the Neluwa Dowili falls which lies about 8 km away from the Neluwa town. The fall is 17m in height and 1m wide. “Dowili ” meaning dust is a quite popular name for waterfalls which creates a misty atmosphere which looks like a dust cloud around the bottom. Therefore each Dowili fall is uniquely identified by adding the name of the village or town where the fall is located. THus this fall has become Neluwa Dowili Falls.

This fall is located in the area called Kosmulla on the route to Lankagama and is a quite popular destination for local as well as foreign tourists. The area around this fall is well maintained and steps has been built to reach to top of the falls. There are three view points to this falls. One leads to the lower fall ( where the first photo was taken) and the next leads the bottom of the upper fall ( where the 2nd photo was taken) . The same foot steps leads to top of the fall too.

Two large bathing ponds are built at the bottom of the falls by diverting the water from the stream. The first one is shallow and suitable for kids. The second one is little deeper but safe. Area is well landscaped and changing room facilities are also is provided. The access to the pool is restricted by a fence and the is a small fee ( Rs 30 ) per person is changed to enter the facility. Its open from 9 to 5.

GPS Location – 6.392456, 80.393717

Path to the fall

Here is the lower part of the fall

Slow shutters

This is true

Part of it

This is also known as Kosmulana Duwili fall

Another view

Slow shutter view

Another angle

Concreted path

Another part

Upper parts

Base pool

Adhere it

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Resting place at Neluwa Duvili fall, there us a safe pool also

Directions to other

Lankagama Brahmana Ella Fall – ලංකාගම බ්‍රාහ්මණ ඇල්ල

Lankagama Brahmana Ella fall is situated in the border of the Sinharaja Forest with a 17m height, which is fed by the Hariyawa brook. This brook had been dammed at the point where its both, right and left braches meet. A hydropower station is located below. The name of the fall is steeped in history. Folklore narrates that during the rein of King Walagamba, a Brahmin had stolen a golden melon, intended to be enshrined in the Batuwangala. The King sent his army to apprehend him, while fleeing he slipped down the fall to his death.

Another says that a Brahmin from India bent on acquiring a golden melon from a place called Puhulegama married eldest daughter from a family. According to he sacrificed their first born in a ritual and obtained the golden melon. A youth named Mugunanal showed the Brahmin the escape route. But when crossing the waterfall, he was pushed down to his death.

Location of the Water Falls is Kollomtotuawa, Hiniduma Electorate Galle District. The fall could be accessed either from Deniyaya or Galle District Neluwa Area. Travel for 1.2km in the Pellawatte Road, and then along the Mawita- Kosmulla Road to where the fall is situated. The fall borders the Kollomthotuwa Road. Only tracked vehicles can travel along the route.

GPS Location – 6.375282, 80.452705

Here is it

Slow shutters

Lankagama Brahmana Fall

Side part

Beautiful

Another angle

Smaller part

Time to leave

Path to follow

A bathing place

Lankagama Duwili Ella Falls – ලංකාගම දූවිලි ඇල්ල

The Lankagama Duwili Ella Fall could be accessed either from Deniyaya or Galle, Neluwa area. The track to the fall is through difficult terrain. The fall is located in Lankagama Village, Hiniduma Electorate, Galle District.

The 23m Lankagama Duwili Ella Falls is located in the border of Sinharaja & Consenting it is borne from the ‘Hariyawa brook’s (W) branch. An intriguing aspect is the hidden cave measuring 2m in height and 4m in length, which is located at the base of the fall. It is believed to be the hiding place of a Brahmin of Yore. From the front of this cave, the cascading fall could be pellucid viewed

This fall is the last waterfall of five waterfalls created by this Hariyawa water stream within a distance of less than 1 km.

GPS Location – 6.376446, 80.450552

Here is it

Distance view

Zoomed view

Base pool with some people

Its beautiful

Flowers

Lankagama Thattu Ella Falls – ලංකාගම තට්ටු ඇල්ල

The stream which creates the Lankagama Doowili Ella goes on again to create this two cascade Thattu Ella waterfall which is about 14 meters(?) tall. This waterfall lies on the southern border of Sinharaja Rain Forest on the Lankagama village.

This fall is the 2nd waterfall of five waterfalls created by this Hariyawa warter stream within a distance of less than 1 km. The closest paths to the falls which lies in the Sinharaja Rain Forest are Neluwa – Lankagama route.

Neluwa can be reached from Colombo through 3 routes. The Falls lies close to the village of Lankagama on the Kosmulla – Lankagama road. After traveling about 7 kms on this route you will also pass another beautiful waterfall called Neluwa Doowili Falls.

Travel further 15 km (approx) to reach Lankagama. Parts of this road has been concreted but some sections are highly dilapidated. You will require a 4 wheel drive, lorry or a 3 wheeler to reach Lankagama. The waterfall can be viewed from the road itself or walk few meters in to the jungle to get a better view.

Alternatively, you can take a 3 wheeler from Neluwa. They will probably take a shorter route to Lankagama. This route has a bridge which only a 3 wheeler can go. Anything wider will find it very difficult to squeeze through. But this route will bypass the Doowili Falls, so you will have to give the 3 wheeler proper instructions.

GPS Location – 6.375860, 80.452347

The stream

Forest path

Cascades

Slow shutters

Thattu Ella

Lower part

Here is she

Upper part

Side view

Lower part

Lateral part

Lankagama Gal Oruwa Ella Falls (Gal Doruwa Ella) – ගල් ඔරුව ඇල්ල (ගල්දෝරුව ඇල්ල)

The 30m Gal Oruwa Ella Falls’s catchments are the aquifers of Sinharaja Forest. The stream flows between two boulders measuring 30m high 2m wide & 40m in lengths. There is a boulder at the bottom covering the fall on three sides, resembling a boat synonymous whit it’s name: Rock Boat

The fall cascades into this boat shaped abyss, emitting a fearful roar. The pool located at its base measures 25mx2m. From here the gushing water flows through a subterranean passage for about 40m before emerging from beneath. From colonial period, the fall had been associated with lepers. In 1993 several of them were found at a medical clinic held at Sinharaja Pitadeniya.

Located in Lankagama Village, Galle Districts, Hiniduma Electorate, the fall can be reached along the Lankagama road.

GPS Location – 6.378168, 80.454082

Here is it

Difficult to capture

Lower parts

Forest patch

Lankagama Uran Wetuna Ella Falls – ඌරන් වැටුන ඇල්ල

The 20m Lankagama Uran Wetuna Ella Falls is located in Lankagama Village, Galle District. Incipient from Sinharaja Forest Conservation, the fall is created by the Hariywa brook’s left Branch (or artery). Its name bespeaks of the deaths of wild pigs (Susscrofa) in the past. An elder villager C.E.Upalis who in 1952 saw pigs drowned in gushing waters of the fall. However, no wild pigs have been recently sighted. The base of the stream is devoid of a pool.

The stream flows over scattered rocks. Falls milieu is rich in bio diversity. In the woodlot trees viz. Hora, (Dipterocarpus zeylanicus) Beraliya, Na (Messua Ferea), Orchids, Ferns, Kirihambilia, and plants varieties found there.

GPS Location – 6.377303, 80.453330

Streams

Uran Wetunu Ella

Spider

Spiders

Creature

Forest patch

Hathmale Ella Falls – හත්මලේ ඇල්ල

The source of the fall is the Deniyaya Gongala mountain range and the stream flows on to the Ginganga River at Pallegama. Hathmale Falls (45m high and 10m wide) is the tallest fall in the Ginganga River and is split into seven segments (‘hathmala’). It is popular with both local and foreign visitors though sadly its popularity has had a negative effect on the environment, with plastic and polythene litter being left at the site.

Hathmale fall is located about 8km from the Deniyaya Town. Just as you pass the main city centre of Deniyaya, turn left on to the Deniyaya – Pallegama Road. Travel about 7 km down this road. These is no sign board to the falls so look for Hathmale Ella Road sign board in the right hand side which is just before the Pallegama Bridge. Travel about 1km on this road and it will abruptly end in somebodys garden. The road is badly maintained but it is motorable upto this point. This road actually continues through this garden but to proceed form here you will need a 4 wheel drive ( you will not actually use it) or a vehicle with high ground clearance. Walk or drive about 250m on this road and then you need to climb down a steep hill to view the falls.

GPS Location – 6.331733, 80.506064

Path	Here is she

Hathmale ella

Upper part

Side view

Lower part

The stream

Path

There are some more waterfalls located in this area which are couldn’t find any photos of mine due to some technical issues of my old computer.

• Thambalagama Duwili Fall – 6.374154, 80.397565
• Alibodadola Ella – 6.370478, 80.408088
• Pathana Oya Ella – 6.379936, 80.483194
• Pitakele Duwili Ella – 6.449774, 80.413011
• Hathbinna Ella – 6.361632, 80.483500
• Malmora Ella – 6.385287, 80.485841
• Kekuna Ella – 6.370903,80.479507

Thank you for reading !

Sobasiri Team ©