Year and Month 2014 September 05th and 06th Number of Days 02 Crew 02 Uddika and Myself Accommodation Theldeniya Guest House 081-234916 Transport By train By motor bike Activities Archeology, Photography and Just traveling Weather Excellent Route Colombo -> Kandy -> Hasalaka (හසලක) -> Minipe(මිනිපේ) -> Rantambe (රන්ටැබේ) -> Randenigala (රන්දෙනිගල) -> Kandy -> Colombo […]

Wilshire is the mountain stands behind famous Aluwihare temple in Matale. It is also called Aluwihare Kanda (අලුවිහාරේ කන්ද) and Etigala (ඇටිගල). This mountain is nicely popped up at Asgiriya side (not in Matale town side) as a peak. Then it’s two peaks are prominent in that side.

Morning side is situated in east corner of Sinharaja rain forest. As it is always covered with mist it is called Morning side since colonial age. Mist and drizzling is part and parcel of morning side weather. Though it is similar to Hortain plains weather, temperature is not that much low.

Gal Koth Kanda got my attention in my Erawulagala climbing. (Refer report on) There was a triangular shape mountain next to Erawulagala and it was a separate mountain from Erawulagala range. I got to know it as Iththakanda but that name was wrong. Then people at Erawula inappropriately name it also as Erawulagala.

This is part of my dream trip and part of Harinda’s dream. On my way to Kehelpothdoruwegala climbing I heard about a foot pathway from Kalugala to Meemure. Harinda has noted a foot pathway from Alugal Lena to Meemure in his Alugal Lena trip. We wanted to combine these two trails and do it in two days with camping at Alugal Lena.

This mighty rock was noticed when I was at Menikdena. It was situated closer to Kandalama Lake. I definitely knew it can be a good view point of Kandalama lake and surrounding area. Later I came across the archeology site called Kaludiya Pokuna (This is not the famous Kaludiya Pokuna at Mihinthale) also situated at base of the Erawulagala Mountain.

I was able to visit at following places at Welimada in two days. Bomburu Ella and climbing to top of Bomburu Falls, Ravan Falls, Sthreepura cave expedition, Mana Falls, Ganethanna RMV, Ulugala RMV, Keppetipola fort, Diwrumpola Temple. Famous Bogoda wooden Bridge (බෝගොඩ ලී පාලම) and Boralanda government farm (බොරලන්ද ගොවිපල) are also closer to Welimada. I couldn’t go there.

This beautiful waterfall is situated within the Sinharaja rain forest. It got my attention in my visit to Sinharaja in Kudawa side. But this was attempted by waterfall lovers from Morning side at Sinharaja. Mr. Thilakasiri (Caretaker of Morning side forest bungalow for a long time) confirmed the foot pathway to waterfall has been forested now. Then I was heard it can be attempted from Ilumbekanda side. From our inquiries at Pothupitiya town, we got to know it can be reached by Denawak Kanda.

I have noted two big isolated mountains closer to Galewela town during my routine travel from Polonnaruwa. Later I knew one of them as Menikdena. Map reading told it can be easily approached from A9 road. Then I got to know Menikdena archeology site and arboretum are also situated closer to Menikdena Mountain.

Rambukoluwa is a traditional village at Knuckles forest reserve. This might be a vanishing village in near future as they have planned to build a reservoir by crossing Kalu Ganga. Though Rambukoluwa is not covered by this reservoir, villagers are asked to leave the village.

Mighty Etipola Mountain drew my attention in two times. First experience was in our climb to Brandy rock (1130m) which was situated just below and front of Etipola Mountain. At that time we were wonder what is this Mountain. Then in my visit to Selagama mini world’s end, I noticed Etipola Mountain and it stimulated me to climb it.

This was a long awaited trip for Wuminda and me. I could gather enough information about Mannar and places on the way to Mannar by reading Lakdasun reports. We started the journey from Colombo around 7.30am due to my job commitments. On the way we have visited some other places and reached Mannar around 8.30pm. (I will discuss it later by a separate report). We were warmly welcome by Mr.Rohan at Four Tees Inn.