Galboda is an isolated village located in between Nawalapitiya & Watawala, in the Colombo-Badulla, the upcountry railway. Since there is not a well developed road system yet, the railway is the only mode of transportation for the villages & travelers.

Galboda waterfall is situated within one hour walking distance from the railway station. It is 30 meters in height, beautiful, virgin & ever young due to the high rainfall received to the catchments area through out the year.( the closest town is Watawala, where received the highest annual rainfall out of the country ). Therefore, not like other waterfalls, travelers are advised to visit Galboda waterfall in August, the dry season. Because the natural water pool is suit & safe for bath in dry seasons

Galboda station at rain

Galboda is important to travelers due to two reasons. One is the famous Galboda waterfall. The other is the natural water spring located in the back yard of the railway Station. It is known as the source of portable water with the highest in gravity in the south Asia. On the other hand the tastiest water in the south Asia. Therefore it had been used to supply portable water to the Governors’ palace at Colombo in colonial times.

The source of portable water with the highest in gravity in the south Asia

Along the railway track

It was 10.15am when we got off from the “Podimenike” upcountry train. The crew was 12 Nos., consisted with some friends with their family members. Until we passed “Inguruoya”, the railway station before Galboda, the climate was quite good. But the train reached Galboda, passing two tunnels; the climate got changed to a heavy shower. As a result, we had to delay more than 45 minutes at Galboda station to organize the journey in this bad climate.

When we started walking along the railway track, two dogs called “Jimmey” & “Tommy” were joined us. You would not believe that, they were very intelligent & guided us throughout the whole journey. Having walking nearly 100meters along the rail track, we entered in to a short foot path & then a long & hilly gravel road. After 30 ~ 40 minutes walk we reached to a top of a mountain, where a Temple of God Ganesh was located. A function of Hindu religious was being preceded at that time. The villagers were preparing of milk rice on the name of God Ganesh. We were warmly welcome by the villages & invited to join their function also. But since we had a limited time frame (the train was scheduled to 2.55pm) we started our journey thanking them.

The villagers were preparing of milk rice on the name of God Ganesh

The stream under the bridge was so rough & the condition of the bridge was not acceptable

After another 20minitues of walking, we met a barrier. It was a simple bridge made with logs. The stream under the bridge was so rough & the condition of the bridge was not acceptable. Therefore only 5 of us crossed the stream to reach the waterfall while the others were waiting. (The staff of the railway station warned us to not to cross the stream, since the planks over the logs could be slip & deadly due to the rain)

The two dogs were waiting for us….

The waterfall got mad

Within the next 10 minutes we were at the waterfall. But due to the incensement of water level, the viscosity of water flow was extremely high. Therefore we had no chance to get into the water. The two dogs guided us to a very good view point where a working site of the proposed mini hydro power station.

Galboda fall - The two dogs guided us to this very good view point

The rain was stopped while we were back. That helped us to see the surrounding with a clear eye.

After the rain….

The crew …

At about 2.30pm the train was arrived to Galboda station and it was nearly 5.30pm when returned Veyangoda.