The expedition started with the participants gathering on top of the river feature known popularly as Polkatta, at Deveni Rajasighe Mawatha, Dodanwala. At this location the Mahaweli river spans out almost a kilometer wide and several heavily forested islands lay between the shores each separated by fast flowing and narrow river channels! Our target island is the third from the gathering point towards the middle of the river and is the largest one of all.

In order to get to the ‘island’ we must cross 3 river channels. The first one from the shore to the smaller first island is the widest. The way path is interspersed by numerous rocks that make the path somewhat treacherous with fast flowing water. Just at the head of these rapids is the nice placid pool known as polkatta. From the first island to second island is a narrower channel and the crossing is made easier by the presence of a log right across just under the surface of the water and hand holds provided by the ‘puss’ vines.
The link to the island in Wikimapia:

The satellite map, clearly marking the boundaries of the island!

At the road head before the descent towards the river	View of the first island with the big tree and the second island just beyond it seen across Polkatta
The channel between the first and the second islands with a submerged log	Landing on island two

Second island is much larger than the tiny first one, but this too is easily negotiated. In order to get to the crossing point we head across the raised spine of the island and descent towards to tree trunk fallen right across the extremely rapid channel to a small landing strip of land at the other end. The narrowness of the channel makes the flow even faster and the rocks some submerged and others over the surface creates a rather dangerous crossing. Despite the fast flow of the water here if you keep your feet under water for long enough you feel whole schools of fish nibbling at your skin!

The channel crossing is a combination of walking on top of the log and striding along the tips of rocks holding onto the log and dear life! Once on the other end of it though paradise awaits, in the form of the big island across another narrow slow moving water channel. What strikes you immediately after landing on the island is the vegetation tall forest trees with ample vines weaving haphazardly all over them. Another thing of note are the trees that have grown on top of others, with their root systems vividly displayed over the host tree trunk. There is a steep incline from the river edge and the middle of the island is at an even elevation of about 5 meters from the river ruling out any possibility of flood. the center of the island is even higher than this elevation. The interior of the island from here is thickly forested with small glades making up the rest. Tall mana bushes have grown in these glades and making way across them takes time. From this position one is treated to some gorgeous scenery of river channels sliding along the perimeter of the island, albeit only a portion of them could be seen at any given time.

Crossing point between the second and third islands	The river channel thunders rapidly past the islands
The river flows beautifully among myriad other islands beyond us	Progress was slow, laborious and fun
Forested interior of the big island	More woods

Inside the island there are several different geo features such as the forested central high ground with thorny under growth, small lake inland with rocky out crops, mud banks, lichen and fungi grown rain forest patch, low ground closer to the river with breathtaking scenes and strange and unfamiliar trees and other trees that have grown on top of them

A collection of photographs taken within:

It took us almost 2 hours to traverse the perimeter of the island, thats how big it really is. We were in all honesty taken by surprise at the size and various different types of trees and vegetation located within the small space. We noted in one place a heap of godapora fruit, half eaten possibly by wild boar or porcupines announcing the presence of animals in the vicinity. In the center of the island on top of the larger trees flocks of birds gather and chirp peacefully. Owing to the location of it perhaps the beautiful trees have grown healthy and without disturbance, I just hope that they stay that way forever.

Although the trip was small and very close to my wife’s home at Anniewatte, it was nevertheless a unique experience and moreover an enjoyable one! We plan to make another visit during the Vesak long weekend and camp overnight to further absorb the natural wonders the island has to offer!