During a one of my field visits to Vavniya and Mannar, we had likelihood to visit few archeological and Hindu sacred places in Mannar and Silavaturei. Weather was good but too dry and wind impregnated with dust. Most of the Mannaer main roads are really good and newly rehabilitated. Railway constructions are going on up to thaleimannar. First we visited Biobab tree which is situated in the heart of the Mannar island city

The unplanned and the unexpected is always the best and that is what this is all about. We were travelling on a narrow road after visiting Digawapiya, when the car in front of us stopped and the people got off to watch something on the side. Typical Sri Lankan style, we stopped too – after all, how can we allow them to see something on their own???

For no particular reason, with no particular exploration in mind we booked accommodation in Weeravila for the long week-end. With three days looming, the question ‘what can we do around Weeravila’ was thrown open. Priyanjan’s suggestion of ‘go to Kaltota’ I thought was a joke, despite his ‘it’s a small country’ tag. Yohan’s ‘try Yala Block III’ seemed a possibility.

Our basic target was to see the nine arches bridge at Demodera and travel around that area. We used different way to reach wellawaya instead of normal ways (not via Beragala or via Thanamalwila).

If there is a will there is always a way, the above text was quoted from my previous attempt to climb mount Wadinagala(බුදුන් වඩින්න ආ ගල = වඩිනාගල) which is the second highest peak of Gal Oya sanctuary. My desire was my driving force. As I have learnt over the years there are no dreams that cannot be achieved and this is one of those which I accomplished successfully. Wadinagala Mountain may be unknown to many people simply because it’s located in a wild life park.

It was a Monday, the 4th day of our Jaffna visit. Earlier we were planned to go to Nainativu on the previous day and postponed it to the 4th day. The reason for that was we got to know the annual festival of the Nagadeepa Kovil was going on those days and Monday was the last day of it. So we wanted to be there for the final grand festival.

Wila Oya Budupatuna was a totally unheard place to me until few weeks back when I came across a post by NG on Lakdasun which made me go in search of these mysterious statues similar to Buduruwagala. The only information I had was about Two Japanese (archeologist) teams visits in 1985 and 90’s and some photographs in a book called ELOQUENCE IN STONE.

This time our main focus was to explore the east. Our crew consisted of 4 including my-self. And others had explored batticalo, Oluvil area prior to meeting up with me on a Friday evening at Arugam bay Muhudu maha viharaya. After meeting up we enjoyed the beautiful landscape of Arugam bay coastal shores and hurried up towards the lagoon along the beach until we reached the newly built bridge and waited until the sun disappeared beyond the horizon.

Neelagiri Seya (නීලගිරි සෑය) is a name I came across when I was going through the web site of archeology.lk. Since then I wanted to visit this site. So on a Saturday I got in to a Panama bus and travelled towards Lahugala where I got down and inquired from few locals about the sthupa. And one person volunteered and gave me a lift towards Heda Oya (හැඩ ඔය) where the road continues across the stream.

This idea came up as our uncle wanting to go to Badulla to check a land for his son to buy and asked if we wanted to join. Since it was Independence-day time and a long vacation, my friend and I joined him for the journey. We left early for Fort station to catch the 5.55 am Podi Menike train to Badulla. However, when we came to the station, it was over-flowing with people and there were queues everywhere.

After the lunch we waited few more hours at the circuit bungalow hoping that the herd will get into the lake just opposite the circuit as told by the bungalow caretaker. But soon we realized we don’t have such luck. So we thought it is better to search the herd rather than waiting them to appear in front of us.

This year was the best period for me to do the well-known “Paada Yathra” because I currently reside in Moneragala. Actually even before I thought of walking with the pilgrims this year my friends did ask me to join them and the answer was YES SURE (with a big smile). This was something I wanted to do for some time but free time was the major problem. Thanks to the long discussions in lakdasun and talking hours with people who had experienced this walk first hand, we were ready to walk the distance with the pilgrims and experience something that is worth a million.