The Distance between Ampara to Mahaoya is 60km. My objective of this journey was to visit at ancient places at A-27 road from Ampara to Mahaoya. Places were; Samanabadda rock cave shelter, Udayagiri ancient temple, Samangala hermitage, Rajagala ruins, Piyangala hermitage, Pulukunawa ruins, Aranthalawa

My mates start the trip from Colombo by 4am in morning and joined them from Ambepussa junction by 6.15am. 21 crew on a Toyota Coaster was our media of transport. We had everything for two days (Lunch, Dinner, breakfast is from bungalow) but we carried drinking water and things need for a BBQ dinner.

There are days when you plan to go somewhere and end up been at another place, this was one of those days. My main objective was to find Vila Oya Budupatuna but ended up visiting few other places I never intended to do so. My journey starting point was Monaragala, so early morning I took the first bus towards Kotiyagala and got down at 5th milepost junction to inquire about Vila oya budupatuna but unfortunately no one had ever heard about the place, so I had to call my friend Theshantha to get some help because he knows the region better than me

The moment I read Bambarakanda trail reports on Lakdasun, the adventurer inside me kept saying “wanna go, wanna go, wanna go” like a mantra. So I tried to get a friend or two to join me but in the end I was left alone with no one to join me. Since I’ve already been to N’Eliya and around all on my own before, I thought of doing this too all on my own

We decided that we should travel as much as possible in the Mullathivu district travel to all corners Mullathivu , to South up to to Kokilai lagoon end, and to north to , Putukudiiruppu , turn to west to Vishvamadu and travel back via Paranthan to A9 road to Colombo as the whole area was the last strong hold of the LTTE. The total mileage covered was apox: 960km

I saw this ad on Anything.lk about 60% reduction (7200/- only from the Actual fee of 18,000/-) on Hot Air Ballooning in Kandalama and as always the adventurous soul in me willingly agreed to explore

One friend Tharaka out of blue moon asked if I would join with him for a trip to Handapanagala. I immediately wanted to know who was going as I’m always wary of people who go on trips as I consider myself more reserved and a nature lover than someone who goes on trips just to drink and waste time. However, after Tharaka’s repeated assurances that the crowd was ok, I was willing. Another reason was Handapanagala is very famous for its tank and the possibility of seeing my favorite elephants was very high.

This has been a dream of mine for a so long ever since I saw an ad by SL Navy on a newspaper and had been hoping against hope to go there. Trip reports by Lakdasun subscribers have been greatly helpful especially finding the hotel, Four Tees Inn, which was a wonderful place and met all my expectations.

We then set off towards Vavuniya hoping to reach Killinochchi before noon and meet our friendly soldier who took us around the surrounding area. Just before Iranamadu, we visited the statue of one of our great heroes, Cpt. Saliya Aladeniya who sacrificed his life while trying to protect the telecommunication tower there.

So on the 15th morning, we (highly excited bunch) left Colombo around 5.30 am. There was ample room in the van since it was only 7 of us (including the driver) and soon we reached Ratnapura and stopped for Breakfast. Kadala, String Hoppers, Red Rice with Kiri Hodi, Sambola and Fish may sound like a feast as we wolfed down the food. Then we reached Udawalawa and stopped around the park to take the breath taking view of the reservoir in.

This was actually my second visit to Kotiyagala area and I also had some secondary objectives also on this visit. So on a Sunday morning I got in to a Kotiyagala bus and left towards kotiyagala. Just before kotiyagala there was a three way junction where the Siyambalanduwa, Kalu obba-Athimale road extension met with the kotiyagala road and I had to get down from here and start walking towards Athimale side since Wattarama monastery is located between Athimale and Kotiyagala.

Buddama was a place I have never heard before until I was posted there for few months, this rural area of Monaragala district boarders the southern boundaries of Gal Oya National park. Most of the population has the same surname called Dissanayake Mudiyanselage indicating that most of them had been related to the ancestors Wellassa rebellion that fled to the valleys of Gal Oya and they are farmers by occupation.