Waterfalls are a beautiful gift of mother nature is refreshing and calming

scenery to enjoy. Waterfalls have been the theme of many poems and short stories and many compare it to a pretty village damsel with long hair cascading down like liquid light. Some times the water falls slowly while at times it cascades in torrents.

It is said that the natural and geographical location of Sri Lanka is one reason fot our country to have so many waterfalls. As a country rich in its water resources the country has many water falls starting in the up country and finding its way to the ocean through the hills, water ways and paths.

The district of Ratnapura alone has more than 100 such waterfalls. Being in close proximity to Colombo and the easy access has made these waterfalss an attraction among locals as well as the tourists who come to enjoy the beauty of these cascading brides. According to your wish you can see and enjoy them during a one-day trip around the country, based from Colombo.

MAPALANA ELLA WATERFALL

Travelling 22kms on the Sri Pada Mawatha from Ratnapura town you reach Palabaddala Junction. From there turn left to Mapalana and travel from another 2km untill you reach the Mapalana Waterfall.

The height of the Mapalana waterfall is 600 feet and it starts from the Heen Ela Oya in Adams Peak. The waterfall is the highest in the district of Ratnapura cascade down in three stages.

According to histroy this waterfall has been used for bathing by a Mapa who controlled this area and this got the name Pana Nana Ella that later became Mapalana Ella.

The place surrounding the waterfall is full of Wild Boar, Rabbits, Deer, and range of birds and reptiles. Hence, if you do ever get to visit the place do look and round and discover the amazine wild life around the area.

DEHENA ELLA WATERFALL

Travelling on the Ratnapura SriPAda Mawatha you will come across the Dehena Ella waterfall. This waterfall consists of two parts and starts from the Dehena Mountain belonging to the Adams Peak range of Mountains.

According to history the Apa who controlled this village used to throw the wrong doers to this waterfall. As this waterfall is close to the road during the rainy season it becomes very difficult for people to drive through this stretch of road.

MADANAGIRI ELLA WATERFALL

If you procced for another 1.5km pass Dehena waterfall in the Kadurugal Dola is the 266 foot Madanagiri waterfall. A person cannot get a clear view of this waterfall from the road. For that you have to travel along a difficult stretch of road for another 200 meters from where you can get a clear view of the waterfall. The villages believe that demon Mohini has cast her spell and that is the reason for the waterfall to get her name.

ALUPOLA ELLA WATERFALL

Travel along the Ratnapura Wewelwatta Road and turning off at the and travelling another 3km then you come to the Alupola waterfalls. Close to the waterfall is a cave where according to histroy the ancient man lived and it is named as Alu Galge. Therefore this village is named Alupola and the waterfall Alupola waterfall.

The 271 foot waterfall starts from the Alupola Dola which is at the Kalugala Doova, right slope of the 1047 meter Bambaragala mountain belonging to the Adams peak range of mountains.

You can experience a cool climate even during the afternoons from this spot. If you are lucky enough you will be able to see different birds, as well as rabbits, deer, reptiles and other animals in the jungles surrounding the waterfall.

BERUWATTA ELLA WATERFALL

Travel along the Ratnapura Balangoda road via Wewelwatta and 2km from Ratnapura in Ravulagala is the Beruwatta waterfalls.

It starts from the Rakshagala mountain and is 165 feet high. At the foot of the waterfall is a natural swimming pool that has been created. It has been names ‘Beruwatta Vila”.

According to history this place has been occupied by king Ravana during the by gone era. This place has a plant called ‘Beru’ and that is the reason why it is called Beruwatta.

In addition to the main waterfalls there are a lot of small waterfalls in the district of Ratnapura among them are Bambarabotuwa Ella waterfall, Anda Ella Waterfall, Goksin Ella waterfall, Hal Ella waterfall and the Kudawa Ella waterfall. These waterfalls have now become an attraction among the tourists since they come to worship the Rathganga Sri Gangaramaya, which is also known as the small Dambadiva among devotees.