Thusitha, one of my friends worked in National Hospital-Colombo suggested to go on a trip to have a bathe in a waterfall. Buddhika & Saman also agreed with him. Mangala, a friend of Thusitha, in his work station was also agreed to join with us, as the tour-guide. He suggested visiting “Makeli Ella“water fall at Kukule ganga. Since the road was a rough one, my jeep was proposed as the vehicle. Finally the trip was arranged to go on the nearest Saturday, 15th of November 2008.

On that morning, it was 6.30am when we left from Veyangoda. Saman, Buddhika & myself were the initiate participants. We had to pickup Thusitha from Kaduwela & Mangala from Horana. How ever it was 10.00am when we reached Bulathsinghala, one of a remote town in Kalutara district. Since it was the last town we meet before our destination, we were busy to buy food & beverage for the day.

From Bulathsinghala, we turned to the Paragoda road. Since it was in a country side, the environment was much beautiful, clean & quite. Having a few minutes journey, we turned in to a narrow road, to visit to the “Pahiyan Lena” cave. That cave was located in nearly 250 ft. elevation from the average ground level. A stepped foot path was there to reach the cave.

It was believed that, because of the visit of well known Chinese traveler; Pahiyan monk, this was named as “Pahiyan cave”. But the remarkable thing with this cave was the found of skeletons of old human (37000 years old) along with utensils and rock tools. You can see some of them shown there. The rest had been sent to the museum at Colombo. There was a huge well as a result of archeological excavations. You could see the layers of different era, in the walls of that well. Other than that, there was a Buddhist temple with statues adjoin the cave.

A stepped foot path was there to reach the cave	There was a Buddhist temple adjoin the cave
There was a huge pit as a result of archeological excavations	Skeleton of an elephant

Afterwards we came down & had some herbal drink from the small canteen at the car park. In the next 20 minutes, we were back to the Paragoda road. With not less than 45 minutes drive we reached to a bank of a stream, where to be crossed by a Spa/Ferry. (See the photos / a new iron bridge was been built there)

we reached to a bank of a stream, where to be crossed by a Spa/Ferry

a new iron bridge was been built there

Our next location was the Kukuleganga reservoir. To reach there we had to pass the Makeli Ella waterfall (Our destination) & Kukuleganga Hydro – power station.

Unfortunately a huge earth-slip had been occurred few weeks ago, prevent our access. (Even our jeep was not able to win the barrier). Then we got out from the jeep & went up to the reservoir on foot.

Road side view	Even our jeep was not able to win the barrier
huge earth-slip had been occurred few weeks ago, prevent our access	Then we got out from the jeep & went up to the reservoir on foot.

In the next 30 minutes, we were back for Makeli Ella water fall.

Makeli Ella waterfall was popular due to historic stories of a late hero, “Vidiya bandara” who lived in 1500s, Kotte era. The waterfall was a straight one which was not less than 20 meters height. The natural pond at the base of the waterfall seems to be very deep & deadly one where nobody allowed for bathe. Other than that, there was an observation platform for the safety of travelers.

But there was a quite safety natural pond over the waterfall. We went there & had a great bath. A number of endemic species of fishes & flowers are very common there. Since our camera was not waterproofed, we lost the chance to take their images. We were there until the dark came.

Makeli Ella waterfall

Top of the waterfall

When we reached back to the ferry/Spa, the spa keeper was ready to his last turn. If we missed, we might had to travel at least 60km more, to return our way back to home.