Main Waterfalls in Sri Lanka - part 1

Bambalarakanda falls (also known as bambarakele falls) is the tallest waterfalls in Sri Lanka.With a height of 263 meters, it ranks the 299^th height waterfalls in the world. Situated in kalupahana in badulla district in uva province, this waterfall is directly visible from the A4 main road, the waterfall was formed by kuda oya, which is a branch of the Walawe River. The bambarakanda falls can be found in a forest of pin tress. It cascades in a torrent (especially in the wet season) from a rocky outcrop into deep, basin like pool. To the left of the fall, centuries of wind and rain have formed what is said to resemble two embracing lovers out of the rock.

Diyaluma falls’ is 220meters high and the second heist waterfall in Sri Lanka and 361^th highest waterfall in the world. It is situated 6km away from koslanda in badulla district in uva province on Colombo – badulla main road. Koslanda is nearest town to the fall, 6km away, and wellawaya is 13km away. The falls are formed by punagala oya, a tributary of kuda oya which in turn, is a tributary of kirindi oya. The torrent of water cascades down to the koslanda plateau and during rain it is a spectacular sight. On one side of the fall the land is covered in deciduous plants. Wildlife found in the area includes lizards. In Sinhalese, Diyaluma or Diya heluma means “rapid flow of water” according to Dr. R.L. Brohier, the famous historian, Diyaluma is the setting of the folklore about a tragedy involving a young king and a young woman of a low-caste.

Kurundu oya waterfall is third highest waterfall of Sri Lanka. This waterfall is situated at Walapane area in central province, which is closed to nuwaraeliya town. Kurundu oya falls starts from Kurundu River. The fall id high about 189 meters. This waterfall is very beautiful. But it not famous so far than other main falls. To access this water need to come nuwaraeliya and 18km to kandapola road. Pidurangala Mountain is much closer to kurundu oya waterfalls.

Mapanana falls (mapalana falls) if situated amongst medicinal herbs; the 148 meters fall consists of three sections and is served by a stream, which originates from the thoranabandigala in the samanala mountain range. This waterfall situated at gilimale in sabaragamuwa province. This stream joins kalu Ganga River further down. During the rainy season the simultaneous flows can be heard from up to 6km away. (In Sinhalese ganga means river).

Laxapana falls (lakshapana) is 126 meters high and the 8^th highest waterfall I Sri Lanka and 625^th highest waterfall in the world. It is situated in Hatton area in nuwaraeilya district in central province. It formed by maskeliya oya near the confluence of kehelgamuwa oya and maskeliya oya which forms Kelani River. The fall gives its name to twin hydroelectricity power stations laxapana which generates 50MW of electricity and new laxapana which generates 100mw. From the road between Norton bridge and maskeliya there is offered a scaled-down view of the falls and panoramic sight of the terrain but if one wishes to get nearer one may take the by road towards the polpitiya power station, after travelling around 2km along which an inquiry from the villagers would help one find out the falls.

Ramboda falls is 109 meters high and 11^th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 729^th highest waterfall in the world. It is situated in Pussellawa area in central province, on the A5 main road at Ramboda pas. It formed by panna oya which is a tributary of kothmale oya. Altitude of the falls is 945meters above sea level.

Ratna ella is a waterfall within the Victoria, randenigala and rantabe sanctuary in central province. It has a height of 101 meters. Ratna ella is the highest waterfall in Kandy district and the 10^th highest of the island. The route to the ratna falls lies along few villages between the hunnasgiriya mountain range and a dense jungle filled with wildlife. The walk along the villages will give you amazing scenes of far mountains and paddy fields. There is also an adventurous hike to the top of the waterfall. Only experienced hikers should attempt this hike. The name ratna ella means “a field of gems”. According to the legends there have been 7 vessels filled with gems and valuables hidden deep in the waterfall. 5 of them have already been found. And villages believe that any attempt to find the other 2 will bring bad luck and death to the people looking for them.

This waterfall situated at ramboda-thawalanthanne area of nuwaraeliya in central province. In Sinhalese garadi means snake. In top of the waterfall, it divided into 2 parts. Then 2 parts are combined and finally flows as one part. Another special thing of this fall is 2 waterways arriving from different areas get together at top of the falls. Some identifies this as puna Ella waterfall, because large amount of water comes to the fall via puna oya. The fall is situated about 100 meters below the tea estate in either via the tea estate or the footpaths of ramboda village. From ratnapura take the pelmadulla-pathakade road to samanalagama village.

Aberdeen is a tea estate in Sri Lanka, is famous for its picturesque waterfall Aberdeen falls which situated in ginigathena nuwara-eliya district in central province. Aberdeen falls is located in the kehelgamuwa mountain range, which encompasses an area made up of ginigathena, Norton Bridge, lakshapana and maskeliya. The waterfall is 98 meters high and ranked 18^th highest in the island. It is located in kehelgamu oya, a tributary of Kelani River. Earlier lakshapana falls and Aberdeen falls put together because the both falls situated in Aberdeen tea estate.

One of the beautiful waterfall in Sri Lanka. It is situated at west of talawakele, nuwaraeliya district in central province in A7 main road. This falls is named after a pioneer English coffee planter called Devon, whose plantation is situated nearby the falls. The waterfall is 97 meters high and ranked 19^th highest waterfall in the island. The fall formed by kotmale oya, a tributary of Mahaweli River. Altitude of Devon falls is 1140 mater above sea level. There are 2 main observation points available at A7 road talawakele. Lower view point is special because both St. Clair’s and Devon falls can be viewed from same place. There is an observation point in railway at watagoda place which is at 10km far away from talawakele railway station. The Devon falls is one of the most prominent waterfalls of Sri Lanka, Positioned in the Devon estate, this spectacular fall lies in close proximity to the St. Clair’s waterfalls as well as the radalla waterfall.

St. Clair’s fall is one the widest waterfall in Sri Lanka. Also called little Niagara of Sri Lanka. It is situated 3km west of the town of talawakele on the Hatton-talawakele main road in nuwaraeliya district in central province. The falls derived its name from a nearby tea estate. The fall is 80 meters high and hence 20^th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. St. Clair’s falls comprises 2 falls called “maha ella” (the greater fall) and “kuda ella”, (the lesser fall) which is 50meters high and was created by a tributary of kotmale oya. This beautiful and popular fall is located among tea gardens, transmits a large volume of water, and is the widest waterfall in the country. The fall is sited over 500meters away from the road and one needs to walk down among tea bushes at a steep slope to reach it.