I was used to travel from Colombo to Pollonnaruwa by morning train (Udaya dewi/උදය දේවී) in one part of my life and accidently noticed an isolated mountain just passed Konwewa (කෝන් වැව) station. I could notice this mountain till I pass Moragollagama (මොරගොල්ලාගම) station. As it was large and situated on a surrounding flat ground, aroused my curiosity and found to have it as the longest isolated mountain of Sri Lanka-Galgiriya mountain.

During my waterfall hunting at Matara district, I have noted there are some old cave temples as well. Some of them are belong to Anuradhapura and Pollonnaruwa periods. These Buddhist temples are popular among nearby villagers. But not familiar to others. Therefore I decided to note down some information about these places to others also.

I spend two days in my busy schedule to catch splendid beauty of these hidden beauties of Matara-Deniyaya area. I started my day with a friend from Matara town towards Mulatiyana. We got into a bus towards Kotapola from Matara and out first attraction was Kosgahadola Ella.

We wanted to do a complete Jaffna tour within three days. Before plan this trip I read Sri’s Jaffna and Delft report (The Land of Horses-Delft & re-awakening Jaffna) which was the most recent updates of Jaffna in Lakdasun especially about Delft Island. Then I went through Kristy’s reports of Jaffna (Jaffna-Micro Attractions and which gives a good idea about rare places there. Zoysa’s Jaffna report (On the A9 Road to Jaffna 2010) also helped me to know about Vallipuram and VVT. I knew about Fort Hammenheil from Chandanie’s report (Fort Hammenheil-a prison in the middle of the ocean)

Kaluthara District is blessed with number of waterfalls. There are about 20 cascades situated in this area mainly located in Mathugama, Baduraliya and Athwalthota. These waterfalls are not much famous except few and we can’t find big waterfalls here. But some of them are so beautiful and having unusual way of flowing.

Pollonnaruwa is rich of archeological sites. There are rare places than our popular visits. I got to know about some of these places by a book and it made my visit at these sites. I did this travelling intermittently when I found a free time as well as a friend(s) to travel with me. Therefore I can’t say exact number of days need to cover all these places.

During this journey I needed to visit at places in Warakapola-Karawanaella, Galapitamada-Nelundeniya and Ruwanwella-Galigamuwa roads. Ancient Seethawaka kingdom was situated over this area. Although I had a tight schedule before the journey, the evening shower ruined some of my plans.

This beautiful waterfall flows as a cascade from Handapanella Thanna (හදපාන් ඇල්ල තැන්න). Although books say it’s height is 23m, it is wrong as it is a collection of few waterfalls. Handapan Ella can be captured in Rakwana-Kalawana road (another route full of scenic views) in between 3rd and 4th mile post

This was a long awaited trip to Embilipitiya for my personal matters. Then I decided to visit at some places on the way to Embilipitiya and following whole day was used to visit at places at Kollonna. Later I went in another separate day to visit at some places at Godakawela.

I got to know about Manakanda (381.3m) from an article written in the book called Wanasena wanapeth (වැනසෙන වනපෙත්).Then one of my friends lives in Maradankadawala (මරදන්කඩවල) joined with me for this journey.
I reached Maradankadawala about 11am by Colombo-Anuradhapura bus. (A9 Road).

You can reach Nagalakanda from Pollonnaruwa archeology site. Once you pass the Minneriya town it is situated in about 200m towards the Colombo on right hand side. If you are coming from Colombo, it is in left hand side just before Minneriya town. Better to ask from villagers. But it is easy to find.

My objective of this trip was to visit at historical and pre historical places in Kalthota area. As our schedule was so tight we stayed previous day night at Belihuloya. The owner of Sun hill Holiday resort was kind and helpful. (I contacted this place from info-lanka website). After having our breakfast, started the journey towards Pamabahinna.