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ii.

vii.

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xii.

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Height : District :

98 metres Nuwara Eliya

The impressive 98m fall makes up a section of the Kehelgamuwa River and joins the Maskeli River at Kalugala before flowing into the ocean via the Kelani River. Unfortunately, the Norton Bridge dam constructed under the Lakshapana Project has decreased the volume of water in the fall, but it continues to cascade except in severe drought conditions. According to folklore, there is a tunnel leading from Aberdeen Falls to the neighbouring Lakshapana Falls - the supposed opening of which can be seen near the Puna River. Aberdeen fall is located 6km from the Nuwara Eliya District in the Kehelgamuwa mountain range, which encompasses an area made up of Ginigathhena, Norton Bridge, Lakshapana and Maskeliya.

Height : District :

22 metres Nuwara Eliya

This 22m fall is noted for the tremendous noise created by water pounding the large rock formation at its foot. Forming part of the Belihul River, it is surrounded by copious giant ferns. Baker's Falls derives its name from Sir Samuel Baker, a British man who discovered it in 1845. However, Baker is also credited with the short-sighted achievement of having shot 50 elephant, five deer and two buffalos nearby. Despite the presence of warning signs (that are often removed by confident bathers), the fall, and more specifically the 12m death trap of a plunge pool, has claimed numerous lives. Situated on the Horton Plains (Nuwara Eliya District), Baker's Falls is accessible from Pattipola or Ohiya town. From Pattipola take the well-signed footpath and either follow it to World's End and loop back to Baker's Falls or take the right fork at the beginning of the path straight there. Immediately before the fall, there is a steep, root-strewn bank, which can be difficult to negotiate, especially in wet weather.

Height : District :

241 metres Badulla

Bambarakanda is the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka with a sheer drop of a 263 meters. In the world ranking its the 299th tallest waterfall in the world. The fall lies in the Badulla District among a evergreen forest in the Kalupahana Area. This is not a wide waterfall but drops as a thin line from a rocky outcrop. The fall is formed by the Uduweriya Haputale mountain and Kuda Oya, a tributary of Walawe River.

Height : District :

30 metres Ratnapura

The Bopath Falls cascades in the shape of a bo (Ficus religiosa) tree (hence its name) and is the most comprehensively studied fall in Sri Lanka. Its source is the Kurugana River that later joins the Kaluganga River at Kurugaomaodara. The average temperature of the area is 26.9 - 27.8 degrees Celsius and the annual rainfall of the fall's catchment area is 5080mm. The mean speed of the flow is 6 cubic metres per second. The upper reach of the fall is made up of granite and biotite virin, and is covered by sand. The water from the fall irrigates the paddy fields of the Udakada and Kuruwita areas. The surrounding plant and tree life includes attikka , kumbuk (Terminalia arjuna), midella, dun, para, ginihota , rathmadiya, ketala, Beduru , orchids, varieties of meewana badal, hanassa, makulu and beduru. Animal species include wild boar, Meemina deer and reptiles, and the water is home to many species of fish including bulathhapaya, lellu, magura, korali, sonnu and eel. In addition to its rich bio-diversity, the fall is also steeped in folklore. One such story tells how a youth from Colombo made a pilgrimage here, and on losing his way was helped and sheltered by a local village girl. Another local belief is that a treasure trove lies somewhere within the fall and that one thousand human sacrifices are needed to retrieve it. Bopath Falls is in the Ratnapura District, Kuruwita Divisional Secretariat at Agalwatte village. Take the road from Columbo to Ratnapura and turn left along Devipahala road. After 3km the fall is reached. (The Dodam Falls is located close by).

Height : District :

97 metres Nuwara Eliya

Devon Falls is one of the most popular waterfall in the country specially due its clear view from the popular Hatton Nuwara Eliya Road. The best view is from Dimbula where a special viewpoint is located with parking facilities. On the other side of the road is the famous Mlesna Tea Centre where you could have a fresh cup of tea could be had. Almost Everybody who travels on this road to Nuwara Eliya is bound to at least break rest here before continuing the journey. Devon waterfall will be one of the most effected waterfalls and the Government has ordered relevant authorities that enough water will be released so that the St. Clair's waterfall will maintain a continuous flow of 47,250 m3 (1,668,618 cu ft) of water for 10 hours and 30 minutes daily, between sunrise and sunset.

Height: District:

17 metres Galle

Sinharaja Rain Forest is home to 19 waterfalls out of which 11 are located in the Galle District. They are Pathanoya Falls, Suduwalikotha Falls, Brahmana Falls, Hathbinna Falls, Malmora Falls, Neluwa Doovilli falls, Wathugala falls, Lankagama Kekuna Falls, Nellugolla Falls and Beraliya Dola Falls. One of the most popular falls in this area is the Neluwa Doovili falls which lies about 8 km away from the Neluwa town. The fall is 17m in height and 1m wide. "Doovili" meaning dust is a quite popular name for waterfalls which creates a misty atmosphere which looks like a dust cloud around the bottom. Therefore each doovili fall is uniquely identified by adding the name of the village or town where the fall is located. THus this fall has become Neluwa Doovili Falls. This fall is located in the area called Kosmulla on the route to Lankagama and is a quite popular destination for local as well as foreign tourists. The area around this fall is well maintained and steps has been built to reach to top of the falls. There are three view points to this falls. One leads to the lower fall and the next leads the bottom of the upper fall . The same foot steps leads to top of the fall too. Two large bathing ponds are built at the bottom of the falls by diverting the water from the stream. The first one is shallow and suitable for kids. The second one is little deeper but safe. Area is well landscaped and changing room facilities are also is provided. The access to the pool is restricted by a fence and the is a small fee per person is charged to enter the facility.
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Height : District :

171 metres Badulla

At 171m, this is the third highest fall in Sri Lanka. The torrent of water cascades down to the Koslande Plateau and during rain it is a spectacular sight. Sadly, this enchanting fall visible from the Koslande highway may disappear due to frequent landslides. On one side of the fall the land is covered in deciduous plants. Wildlife found in the area include lizards. The fall is steeped in folklore. One story tells of how a king had fallen in love with a young woman belonging to a lower caste. This affair enraged the king's subjects so the lovers decided to flee. Arriving at the site of the fall, they began climbing upwards. The king made it to the top but the creeper the woman was hanging onto became entangled in rocks and she plunged to her death. It is said that the tears shed by the king in his grief were collected by a deity and turned into the fall as it stands today. RL Brohier, a scientist and historian from the UK who served in the Surveyor General's Department, kept records detailing his intimate knowledge of Sri Lanka and its inhabitants. The fall is located along the Koslande - Welawaya road in the Badulla District. Koslanda is the nearest town to the fall, 6km away, and Welawaya is 13km away.

Height : District :

63 metres Badulla

Dunhinda is considered to be one of the most enchanting falls in Sri Lanka and is in close proximity to Badulla town. The water resembles a thin cloud as it cascades 63m downwards into a large pool. The backdrop to the fall is known as 'Dunhinda Adaviya'. 'Dunhinda' translates to 'spraying/vapour waterfall' - the word 'dun' means 'gave/was given', while 'hinda' means 'evaporate'. This fall is steeped in history. The area was once inhabited by indigenous people - the Veddha tribe. During the time of King Rajasinhe, a giant fern got stuck at the top of the fall, between two mountains. This acted as a dam, which resulted in the flooding of Badulla town. Seeing the gravity of the situation, the king entrusted the task of clearing the sluice to a person named 'Ranhavadidaraya'. After toiling for three months he managed to clear the water and the town re-emerged. [W] The fern was swept away but got stuck again at a place now known as Pussellawa ('pus' meaning fern). It was the first fall on the island where a fee was introduced to view it. This applies to both local and foreign visitors. Dunhinda Falls is 5km from Badulla town and from the main highway it is a tortuous 1km walk. The Ella rest-house is 29km away.

Height : District :

48 metres Kandy

The Knuckles mountain range extends up to Matale - the Hunnasgiriya is located at one end, 1765m above sea level. This area is subject to every climatic condition of the island. A group of five streams flow from here and meet to form the Mahaoya Reservoir, which leads on to Hunnas Falls (48m high and 12m wide) and the Suduganga River. Above the fall lies 32 hectares of land with an artificial lake and patch of jungle, which belongs to a private hotel. The woodland consists of cyprus, pyness (pines), teak, phihimbia, huna and ratadel, hathawariya and types of orchids also grow here. The surrounding area is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, porcupine, monkey, mongoose, wild boar, pangolin and the forest eagle owl, while the water is alive with fish. Take the Kandy - Matale road for 18km, turning at Wattegama onto Elkaduwa road. Travel 3km along the beautiful country road through the Hunnasgiriya State Plantations to Imbulapitiya, (Ukkuwela Divisional Secretariat Division, Karagahahinna GS area). The fall is at the foot of the Hunnas Hotel.

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Height : District :

15 metres Nuwara Eliya

The Ramboda Oya creates 3 waterfalls within few kilometres in the Ramboda Area. The first waterfall called theRamboda Oya Ihala Ella (Ramboda Oya Upper Fall) is 12 meters and lies about 1.5 km above the Gampola Nuwara Eliya Road. The Ramboda Oya Meda Ella ( Ramboda Oya Centre/Middle Fall) lies at the Gampola - Nuwara Eliya Road. The road travels just at the bottom of the waterfall just before the new Ramboda Tunnel. This waterfall is 6 meters tall. The Ramboda Oya Pahala Ella ( Ramboda Oya Lower Falls) is 15 meters tall and lies about 500 meters below the center fall but not visible to road. [W]

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Height : District :

25 metres Badulla

There are two waterfalls in the Ella area. The most popular being thewaterfall at the Bandarawela - Wellawaya Road. This is popularly known by the name of Ravana Ella by the tourists as well as the villagers around. There is another waterfall above this falls which is not visible to the main road which is also called Ravana Falls. This is generally considered the real Ravana Falls due the close proximity of the cave which is considered a place there Sita (in Ramayana) has hidden by the Lankan King Ravana for a while. The correct name of the waterfall by the road is said to be "Bambaragama Ella". This Ravana Fall (proper) is 25 meters high and flows from the Bandarawela Hill Oya Reservoir. During the dry season this almost dries up but during the rains flows at full force. Therefore the best time to visit this falls is during the rainy season or just after. [W]

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Height : District :

80 metres Nuwara Eliya

Most conveniently seen by the travelers on Hatton Talawakelle Road, the twin waterfalls of St.Clairs cascades over three rock outcrops into a massive pool. The beautiful and most popular fall, located among tea gardens, carries a large volume of water, and is the widest waterfall in the country. The fall is situated over 500 m. away from the road, and one needs to walk down among the tea bushes at a steep gradient in order to reach it. Located on the Kotmale Oya, this fall will be affected by the proposed Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project, but for the benefit of the public a limited quantity of water will be released to prevent complete disappearance of the fall. Downstream to the main fall is a second waterfall of 50 m in height called Kuda Ella, which is best visible at the curve near 90 km post. At this point, though far, complete fall of St. Clairs is visible including the last section that was partly hidden. The main fall is located 3 km from Talawakele.

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Book and cover page designed by: Milan Swanthra

Printed and binded by : Dusara Gamindu and Yasiru Anjana

Group members: Santhush Dahami Kavindu Ravindu Sashipriya Tharindu Danujaya Raveen Lahiru

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Information source: http://www.amazinglanka.com

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