After successfully completing the Chilaw to Mundalama stretch I wanted to do the rest and end the hike at Puttalam.

During the dry month of August I wanted to explore Nathagane complex which was always tempting me while I was passing by Kurunegala.

Previous day night we went to Sri Dalada Maligawa & we couldn’t worship it. Then next day morning we went Dalada Maligawa. After religious work we went to see elephants in the Maligawa premises that brought for “Dalada Perahera”.Most of them prepared & loaded to lorries to return to their homes.

From Dambulla we came to our relatives place in Kaikawala. We stay 2 days in there. Next day morning we went to Alu Viharaya & Buddha Statue in Seru Gala. After that we went to Ambilla Raja Maha Viharaya.

Next day morning we start our journey & we left from Kantale to Sigiriya. Around 2.00 p.m we reached to Sigiriya. We spent few hours in Sigira rock & came back around 5.00 p.m.

Next day morning we start our journey & first we went to Trinco Maritime & Naval Museum. It is very useful for school children to get good knowledge.

Next day morning we start our journey & went to Nilaweli Beach.Next we went to Pigeon Island. After 10-15 minutes boat ride we reached to island.

Next day morning we start our journey & went to Trincomalee. On the way we went to Kiralagala Site. Before Horowpothana town we have to turn left & have to go few km’s to site. It is very important & very beautiful place. Its main attraction was very beautiful & massive pond. It was well planed & massive Arama complex.

Next day morning we start our journey & went to Anuradhapura. On the way we went to Awkana Raja Maha Viharaya. Around 3.00 p.m we reached to Anuradhapura.

Again long awaited August vacation came. We decided to arrange a tour like last year we do. Our plan was first visit to Anuradhapura & arrange other places later.

After went through some trip reports in Lakdasun forum, finally we decided to visit this remarkable estate which locates in Banadarawela area.

Ok, back to Runakanda. This is a part of Sinharaja actually but is now being proposed as a separate Forest Reserve. I hope this will get legalized soon as we’re fast losing our forest areas. Even Runakanda like many wet zone rain forests have been ravaged by the Walla Patta Hunters. According to villagers many outsider had come in gangs and stayed inside the forest living in makeshift shelters or caves chopping down Walla Patta trees and making loads of money. The FD and Police are in high alert even though the damage has already been done thus the reason why you shouldn’t venture into these areas on your own.

We heard that the FD is now distributing Walla Patta plants for commercial planting where they help with the chemicals to produce that specific bit of residue after 5 years. At the age of 8, the tree is good to cut down and harvest. Hopefully these will put a stop to the destruction of our virgin forests.