Thusitha asked me to park the vehicle at a suitable place for the brake-fast, having observing my eyes were locating the face (dial) of the wrist watch. We were going on a trip with Thusith’s family; since it was the August vacation for kids. In the next moment we were under a tree near the construction site of proposed Zoo at Pinnawala. At that point; we had almost reached the first travel location of the journey, the elephant orphanage at Pinnawala. Since feeding of baby elephants was scheduled to 10.00am, we had time enough to have our brake-fast leisurely.

Breakfast for elephants is been carried

By 10 o’ clock, we were at the shed where the baby elephants were fed by milk. It was a nice experience since one could feed or touch a baby elephant, if he wished so.

You can touch a baby elephant

At the same time the herd of elephants was also fed with “Kitul” leaves & logs. We could have a closer look on elephants while they were having their brake – fast.

herd of elephants	herd of elephants having their breakfast leisurely
A tusker	Chatting & chatting….

When it was close to 11 O’ clock, All the travelers were asked to move to the security area, which surrounded by a concrete fence. That action was taken because some of elephants seemed to be bit aggressive while they were moving to the river.

the travelers were asked to move to the security area, which surrounded by a concrete fence	Papers made with Elephant dung
Is that me..?	Elephants at the river

A care taker (Eth Gowwa / Ali Basunnehe)

The lane from the orphanage to the river was surrounded by a number of hotels & ornamental shops, focused on travelers. We went to the river for observing behaviors of elephants at the river. Spending hours there we got into the vehicle for visiting Deliwala Kota vehera.

Ornament Shops	A gypsy
Elephant dung paper products	Inside of the paper factory

Deliwala was located nearly 5km in distance from Rambukkana. The “Kota wehera” (Short pagoda) located there was said to be built by a minister of King Dewanapethissa in the 1st centaury.

There are three ancient “Kota wehera” in Srilanka. The pagoda at Yudhaganawa @ Wellawaya & the pagoda at Dedigama (also known as “Suthigara Chaithya” @ Kegalle) are the rest. Deliwala kotawehera is out of the ordinary because it is made using a natural hill. Any way if you wish to be there, don’t expect much, since the archeological conservation activities are still been processed.

Information	Kotawehera (the short pagoda)
hedgehog	Road from Kegalle to Bulathkohupitiya

Afterwards, we moved for the third travel location of the day. It was Nalagana ella, located 6km off from Bulathkohupitiya. The popular landmark was the iron bridge of 7/13 at Dedugala road. Traveling nearly 750m along a jeep track, we reached the waterfall. The 40m fall was originated from Ritigaha oya, a tributary of Kelani River.

Land mark to find the jeep track towards Nalagana ella

Path to Nalagana ella

Nalagana ella became thin since she had to scarifies a lot for the power plant

Afterwards we drove towards Dedugala to reach the safe bathing area at the upstream, for a cool dip as the final activity of the schedule. But we did not forget to observe the road side beauty, Rikilla fall (30m) at Hunasaldeniya Mountain located at a distance of 5km from Bulathkohupitiya.

Let’s have a cool dip in Ritigaha oya

Safe pool

Rikilla fall