It has been some time since I headed towards Ampara and this year my plan was to try and visit many more unheard places around Digamadulla. Previously I had done some exploring in this region (Uhana, Inginiyagala, Lahugala) but there were few places around Damana which I missed. I did this trip on two consecutive days all alone and with the aid of Ellawala Medananda theros book.

They had started ploughing and the fields looked like gigantic cakes cut into equal size pieces. Finally we arrived at Palaly and waited for the signal to get down. There were only about 10 people in the plane and when I went out to the exit, the second to leave, I got the shock of my life. I walked along the center isle of the aircraft and bid farewell to the airhostess and just poked my head out of the door and oh my goodness! Crack-crack-crack. There was this 100-foot long red carpet laid very straight right from the foot of the steps, elite commando soldiers stood either side in their signature maroon berets and carrying MP5 submachine guns. Half a dozen cameramen were scattered covering every angle. Couple of well-dressed civilians was waiting anxiously with garlands decorated with purple orchids. Another couple of high ranking army and air force officials wearing their full military suit decorated at the breast with many medals and stars on their shoulders stood at attention. At the end of the red carpet were half a dozen vehicles comprising of two luxurious white Toyota Prado Land Cruisers and four escorts open backed Land Rovers with more commandos. It took all of five seconds maximum to take in this VIP welcome standing just out of the door on top of the stairs. I must have looked ghastly white for one of the air force personnel came and motioned to get down and led me and my colleague who was already waiting at the foot of the stairs to the side.

I have been recently stuck with around the clock duty for 1 ½ months and I finally decided that I needed a break and the best way to relax things off was a hike and as usual I wanted to introduce a new location. There were many peaks in my long list but this time I wanted to do one with a superb view and after some map reading sessions I did plan out everything perfectly.

he planning for our cycling adventure began early May 2014 and when I suggested to my friend Dhanushka, he was totally in despite not knowing what we were about to experience. We knew it would be a hard ride especially ascending 6000 feet on bicycles. Preparation stage included servicing the bicycles and getting them ready for the long tour.

Lankagama Waterfalls was in my to-do list for a long time and last year we went all the way up to Kosmulla Duwili Ella at Neluwa but couldn’t proceed beyond due to lack of time. (My Trip Report : Scenic Rakwana Mountains and Kanneliya Forest)

We have visited Mannar on June 15th as one day trip. On the way to Mannar we were able to visit at following places mainly having archaeology importance. Though it is bit expired story I thought to write it down as it would be important to anyone who travel to Mannar from Colombo along this way.

Haputhale is a beautiful city with great attractions like Liption’s seat, Adisham’s Bunglow, Waterfalls and etc. I really enjoyed the cool climate and natural beauties of the city.

Sinhala New Year is a special time of the year and we decided to spend the holiday in a relaxing way but as usual we ended up loitering around. Early morning we reached Kurunegala and headed towards Ridi viharaya which is one of the most famous sites in this region because of its archaeology value.

One of my friends is gonna get married in September so he wanted to go on a relaxing journey before his arms and legs are tied. As I’d not been to Udawalawe before, this turned out to be the perfect opportunity. Apparently the scary things bring along good and happy returns with them. So we planned the journey during the Vesak as we all could get away without an issue. However, this time there wasn’t any of my Lakdasun buddies to accompany me. It was just the four of us, my close friends outside Lakdasun. So we all got ready to spend a night at one of national park known to harbor more than 300 jumbos. Our biggest concern, if we’d get a better bungalow.

There are four known bungalows at Udawalawe. They are Seenuggala, Thimbiriya Mankada, Gonawiddagala and Weheragolla. When I visited the Wildlife Department website to make the booking online (this is a great thing introduced by them. It saves so much trouble and painstaking process many undergo until not so long ago), none of those bungalows was available. Gonawiddagala and Thimbiriya Mankada were highly recommended but I had no luck. There was however a fifth option, Pokunuthenna, and it’s not listed in the information page for the bungalows which has photos and accommodation details. I was in two minds whether to cancel our jumbo watching and do something else coz every wildlife bungalow at all the national parks was booked.

I still remember the day I visited Senanayake Reservoir for the 1st time in my life. It was a family trip to Ampara in 2001 & we reached Senanayake Reservoir in the evening around 5pm. Sun was going down. I was totally lost among the sceneries around me and looking at the top of Inginiyalaga Mountain I thought “If I go to the top how the sceneries will be”. Since that day, the idea was in a corner of my mind but due to the distance from Colombo and other various reasons I had to give up several times.

This was a special journey because this was my first ever wild life safari to Yala. Though I have been to Yala on foot during the Pada yathra walk, I always wanted to do a safari too. I was invited by Sheham who was a good friend I met because of Lakdasun and I happily joined him on this venture.

Year and Month 2014 January 16th Number of Days First day of three days trip to Jaffna Crew 02-Nirosh and My self Accommodation Nature Park Holiday Resort-Chundikulam T.P 0213216254 Transport Train, Bus and three-wheeler Activities Bird watching and relaxation Weather Excellent Route Colombo -> Palai (පලෙයි) -> Iyakachchi (අයියකච්චි) -> Chundikulam (චුන්ඩිකුලම්) Tips, Notes and […]