This time we got it all wrong we got in to a Badulla bus from Colombo and without getting off at Balangoda we got down from Pambahinna and had to take a three-wheeler up to Mulgama which was about 18Km but never the less the journey through the Samanala Wewa forest part was a totally different experience, we also had a stop to enjoy the view of Samanala Wewa. On the way to Mulgama We noted a huge water-flow across the road which was leaking through the mountain, now this is the famous leak of Samanala project, as we heard this water leak runs through a mountain which borders the reservoir. This leak is said to be a blessing from the Gods for the farmers in the lower areas such as Kalthota. We arrived at Mulgama which was the only village we came across after passing Samanala Wewa.

Samanala Wewa Reservoir

Samanala Wewa Reservoir

Life at Mulgama

After arriving we inquired about the waterfall from villagers and they said there are two waterfalls but our interest was on the Walawe Ganga West Falls which was known to locals as Hulang Ella. The other waterfall was the one that arises from the Mulgama Oya which is called Dung Ella(time did not permit us to visit it). This village consists of 40 families and majority doesn’t have electricity even. Some people use solar power for their daily life and their main cultivations were Beans! We went in search of Mr Karunarathne who lived at the edge of the village bordering the forest and he was bit reluctant because it was already 1.30pm. As mentioned in the text, we needed to go to Kongolla, but Kongolla does not exist anymore, it is an uninhabited area, as you can see in the map there is a foot path through Kongolla but this footpath does not exist!

Before we went we were advised to stay still if we came across any Elephants and Mr Karunarathna equipped himself with Ali Dong(Elephant crackers). After passing few Bean chena we came across the old footpath to Kongolla which was covered at some places with thorny bushes and Filled with Millions of blood suckers. Then we had to cross trough the Mulgama Oya Twice before we entered the deserted paddy fields of Kongolla , from here it was the forest.

Beans!

Crossing Mulgama Oya

Deserted Kongolla

First part was a climb through a typical wet forest and we noted many foot prints and even heard the sound of them running! After we reached out of the forest it was all about Mana, we trekked through the Mana for about a 1Km where we noticed the beautiful waterfall far way with its majestic Roar! We had to travel further about two Kilometers to reach the waterfall. At one point we started to descend through the Mana despite the itching . It was a long journey downwards to the Walawe valley, but believe me the view was spectacular. We also came across fresh Elephant dung and Deer dung at many instances. Just before reaching the river we came across another wet forest area. Then we decided to go upstream when disaster struck, accidently while clearing the path our guide came across a WASP hive and they stung us out of the blues it was within few (2 or 3) seconds. Mr Karunarathna was stung on his head and back about 10 times and I was stung on the face and arms, we ran for our lives while they were chasing us! Oh God I still can remember the run of my life! After losing the nasty Wasps we started to feel the pain, basically I was seeing stars. After a while despite the pain we did continue our journey but this time we climbed uphill again and traveled further. After a painful 2 and a half hour journey we came to our destination it was a hidden beauty in the Wild, we were so happy! The only difficulty we had was getting a clear front view of the waterfall because a huge rock protruding in to the river which was obscuring the view, the waterfall is about 30Ft. and it ends up in a deep pool as Doowili falls, the rock formation suggests that the waterfall must have been twice the size before the Samanala project! After spending a while we had to return back before the Elephants returned.

The Unseen Waterfall by many – Walawe Ganga (WEST)/ Hulang Ella
This 30feet-high fall originates from a rain-forest. To the east is Doowili Falls. Take the Balangoda – Kaltota road via Wekiliya and Watawala to Mulgama. The journey of 8km is best undertaken in a four-wheel drive vehicle. The rest of the distance has to be walked through rough terrain and jungle for 5hours!

Foot Prints	Elephant dung
Entering the Mana area	Different types of forest patches
Spectacular View	First view of the Waterfall(Zoomed)
Down the Pallam	Walawe Ganga
Walawe Ganga Falls (West)/ Hulang Ella	Walawe Ganga Falls (West)/ Hulang Ella

Walawe Ganga Falls (West)/ Hulang Ella

Wild life found – The fauna in this area consists of the Elephants, Sambar Deer, Wild hog, Wild Buffalo, Olu Deer, Leopards, giant Squirrels, many birds (Changeable Hawk Eagle, Brown Fish Owl, Stork Billed kingfisher, Gray Hornbill etc.), Lizards (3 endemic), Geckos, Snakes, Amphibians, Snails, Butterflies and Fishes.

The journey uphill sucked out all our energy that was left, but we arrived at the village at around 5.30pm. On the way we noted some abandoned gem mines. Mr Karunarathna blew up an Ali Dong as a precaution while we were on the way. When we arrived at the village the last bus had left to Balangoda, so we were stranded but fortunately Loku Hamuduruwo of Mulgama viharaya offered us to stay in the Dharmashalawa! We were provided with mats and etc.

Ali Dong	Gem Mining
Dharma Shalawa	What happened to the Coconut oil?

Next day early morning we took the bus from Mulgama to Balangoda and got off at a junction before Rajawaka and continued towards Rajawaka(In the map it is shown as a four way junction but the Rajawaka Junction is a three-way one). From Rajawaka we took a bus which went to Kalthota via Diyavinna. We were traveling down the pallam(end of the central mountainous belt of Sri Lanka) and at point before Diyawinna we got down in search of a unusual shape waterfall. Diyawini ella and Piyangiri Ella were the two waterfalls tumbling down the mountain range. It’s a beautiful sight because these waterfalls are seen in the background of a huge paddy field. We tried to get close to Piyangiri falls to get a closer view but we got lost in a jungle. While we were traveling though the forest we came across a gang of “Nidhan Horu/Gem Miners” who have started a poojawa and mining process, as they heard our voices they ran like hell in to the jungle like rockets, we were also afraid that they would shoot at us!

Diyavini Ella as seen from the road	Piyangiri Ella
Diyavini Ella a closer view	Lower part of Diyavinna Falls

Surrounding view

Diyavini Falls
The 53m-high fall forms part of a tributary of the Diyavini River, which is in a jungle 8km east of Balangoda, south of Vikiliya. The tributary, together with another stream created by the Diyavini River, flows into the Walawe River. The Devagiri Vihare (temple), worth a visit, and an ancient Dagoba (Buddhist shrine) overgrown by the jungle are nearby. Locals believe that a treasure trove is buried in the vicinity and that a village head disappeared when he tried to find it. They also maintain that Brahmin scripts are inscribed in caves and further assert that there are three stone vessels, each 3m deep, located here.

Take the Balangoda – Weligapola road to Kapugala road and the ancient village of Diyavini. The fall is located near the old Rajamaha Vihare (temple).

Piyangiri Falls
There is a large stone well at the foot of the 44m fall, with evidence of a dam. According to folklore, the fall has a direct effect on the weather. Local villagers say that if the Diyavini Falls flows first, the rains will be delayed, resulting in a poor harvest and leaving people open to disease. If the Piyangiri Falls flows first however, bountiful harvests and good fortune would result. Stone gutters exist in the caves (Kattram). The villagers perform a ritual called ‘Kirimadu’ here to usher in good fortune. The fall is situated near to Diyavini Falls, along the Alangoda – Weligapola road.

After that adventure we decided to end our day by visiting Walawe Ganga Falls (East)/Kalthota Doowili Ella. After enjoying the breath taking view we returned back to Balangoda and from there to Colombo.

The drop of Doowili Ella	An uncommon view of the drop
Walawe Ganga Falls (East)/ Klthota Dhoowili ella	Walawe Ganga Falls (East)/ Klthota Dhoowili ella
Walawe Ganga Falls (East)/ Klthota Dhoowili ella	Kuda Doowili Ella(Less water due to the Samanala Project)

Walawe Ganga Falls (East)/ Klthota Dhoowili ella
This fall is one of several with the same name situated in the Sabaragamuwa area, though it does not flow the year round. There are a couple of theories as to how the fall got is its name. One is that the wind blowing across the parched, dry surface of the plain constantly throws up clouds of dust (‘duvili’), obscuring the torrent of water. The other theory holds that the wind blows across the plain at such a speed that it causes a huge amount of spray from the water as it cascades downwards.

Duvili Falls is said to be receptive to Kataragama God’s blessings. People believe that children after they have reached the age of two, who are washed for the first time in the fall’s water on a Thursday, will be endowed with good health. They will avoid those infections known as ‘God’s sicknesses’, such as measles and chicken pox.

Maps of the wateraflls

Black=Hulang Ella, Green=Dung Ella & Purple=Doowili Ella

Black=Diyavini Ella & Orange=Piyangiri Ella