When it was 8.00am, we were at the Iron Bridge over the Kelani River, the colonial gate of Ruwanwella. It said to be one of the two Iron bridges in that type in Sri Lanka.

Bridge @ Ruwanwella - one of the two Iron bridges in that type

There was nearly 45 minutes drive from Ruwanwella to Bulathkohupitiya. Bulathkohupitiya was a small town at an elevation of 130 ft from MSL, located in between Kegalle & Karawanella. This colonial type town was margined by a stream known as Ritigaha-oya, a tributary of Kelani River. It was started from the ranges of Dolosbage, located within a distance of 20 km from Bulathkohupitiya. On the other hand, the elevation rose dramatically from 140ft to 3000ft within a distance nearly 14km. Within this short distance, The Ritigahaoya formed a number of sparkling waterfalls.

Bulathkohupitiya @ 138 ft above MSL

There was a narrow road driven along the valley of Ritigahaoya, from Bulathkohupitiya to Dolaosbage. The first part of the same was up to Ihala Pallampitiya via Dedugala. The road was narrow & hilly. But can be managed by a car. But for the second part from Ihala Pallampitiya to Dolosbage, you need a 4×4 vehicle with an experienced driver.

At the beginning of the day, I had made a very big mistake having forgetting my Traveling Note book at home. That had spoiled all my plans that day. As a result of that we missed several attractive locations & waterfalls. (I have mentioned them in the bottom of this report)

The first 3~4 km of the Dedugala road was not a significantly hilly one. When it turned to hilly, you would find our first travel location of the day, the Nalagana ella.

In between Bulathkohupitiya – Dedugala Road

Nalagana Ella :

Springing from the Ritigaha Oya reservoir, the Nalangana Falls comprises a number of chutes, each measuring about 40m in height

This could be reached by traveling 6 km along the Bulathkohupitiya – Dedugala road. Once you pass the 7/13 bridge, there was a small by road (a jeep track) to the waterfall. Traveling 750m further, turn left at the junction you reach. (The other road was to the mini power station). Short jeeps & three wheelers were only capable to drive beyond that point.

Short jeeps & three wheelers were only capable to drive up to this point	Directions
Short cut to the waterfall	beware of flash floods
Nalagana ella became thin since she had to scarify much for the power plant	Orchids, Ferns….

The jeep started climbing the hill towards Dedugala passing a number of hair pin bends. Within another 15minutes drive, we were at our second travel location of the day.

Towards Dedugala…

Rukmal Ella :

This is a roadside beauty located at a distance of 8km form Bulatkohupitiya – Dedugala road. This is a 10m beauty with a lovely spray. Rukmal refers to a plant producing fragrant flowers

Rukmal ella

Rukmal ella – a road side beauty

Afterwards we came to the Dedugala village. From there to Ihala Palampitiya road was mostly margined by tea plantations. But the beauty of the area was ruined by hydro power plants established every ware.

Beauty of the area was ruined by hydro power plants

We turned back from Ihala Palampitiya, having thinking to visit Dolosbage through this route in near future.

Ihala Pallampitiya was preparing for the Presidential election	A tea estate
On our way back to Dedugala	Cascades

On our way back to Bulthkohupitiya, we turned to a by road at the top of the Nalagana ella waterfall. There was a safe bathing area where the villagers used to bath. There was a boutique also at the other side of the causeway.

Dedugala ( 3000ft above MSL )

Place to have a safe bath in Ritigaha oya – over the Nalagana Ella @ Dedugala

On our way back home, we met our final travel location at Panapitiya village. That was suramba ella, which can be viewed from Bulathkohupitiya – Ruwanwella road in distance (at the other bank of the Ritigaha oya)

Suramba Ella:

This name was given by a merchant in a boutique at Panapitiya village. (I checked the name with LCWF website but couldn’t get it verified. IF some body knows the official name of the same pls. correct me).

This can be viewed to the Ruwanwella – Kegalle raoad near Bulathkohupitiya. To reach there you have to turn to Bulathkohupitiya – Yatiyantota road and again to the road to Ambamalla village. The road was narrow but maintained well. There were paths to the top & bottom through the rubber estate. This was a very attractive waterfall in deed.

Suramba ella – Zoomed	Suramba ella from the top/side view
The swing bridge spanning Edanapalla-Yakalla on the Ritigaha Oya.	Present condition of the bridge…….

Waterfalls we missed:

1. The next enchantress is Rikille Fall (30m) about 5 km east of Bulathkohupitiya. A stream feeds the fall from Hunasaldeniya Mountain.

2. Kalupahana Fall is an unimportant water thread rising from forests near Kalupahana a settlement about 2 km from Glenella from where it is visible.

3. Dummale Fall (5m) next is not quite a road side beauty in the sense it is off the main Bulathkohupitiya-Dedugala road. To view it one has to take a road branching off to the forested Dulgala-Narangala mountain area about 3 km from the turn off.