Funday Times

Gaveshaka continues the fascinating trip across waterfalls in association with Lanka Council of Waterfalls

Falls named after a lost ring
At 45m-high and 3m-wide, Balangoda Ranmudu double fall is located near the Ranmuthu ganga, and cascades down a massive rock formation. The resulting water irrigates the villages of Meddegama and Thanathiriyanwela.

The local villagers believe that the daughter of ancient warrior King Sitawaka Rajasinhe bathed here. On one such occasion, the princess' ring slipped from her finger and into the pool. For a moment it floated to the top, but then a huge rock fell on it from above, pinning it to the riverbed. Here it is said to remain.

King Sitawaka Rajasinhe's treasure chest is also rumoured to be hidden here, but many attempts by villagers to retrieve it have failed due to the demon that guards it, they say. Such is the power of legend, that in April 2002 an armed posse of treasure hunters carrying digging equipment, worryingly accompanied by a senior superintendent of police, was apprehended by villagers before it engaged in too much skullduggery.

The fall is situated in the Ratnapura District at Balangoda Monarangama. Take the Balangoda to Martenne road to the Niyandahela village in the Borangamuwa area to reach the fall.

Jodu Falls, also known as 'Bambarelle Knuckles', are twin falls with identical lengths (45m). They cascade simultaneously from both ends of the mountain into the Mahaweli ganga via the Huluganga. The Moragaha ganga is the source, which springs from Me Malai, part of the Knuckles mountain range. Before reaching the falls, the water flows down seven chutes and through several pools.

In the surrounding area medicinal plants abound and there is a wide variety of wildlife including wild boar, porcupine and a lizard endemic to the island known locally as dumbara katussa. The area at the top of the falls has been denuded, causing concern that the aquifers might dry up and erode the land.

The Moragaha ganga flows across Bambarella, Baddegama and Kosgamma, before reaching the Huluganga. Jodu Falls is situated in the Patha Dumbara Electorate (Panniwala Provincial Division). From Wattegama travel the 24km via Bambarella to Panniwala. The rest of the journey is not possible by road, so trek the last 1km from the border of the Knuckles mountain range to the fall.

The Diyakerella Falls in the Kandy district flows through jungle and cascades down a 45m-high rock formation - the noise made is incredible. As the water hits the bottom, another fall is created, though only the upper section is visible through the dense foliage. The beauty of the fall is enhanced by the towering presence of the Lakgala mountain at Meemure village.

Beneath the fall is an elephants' corridor known as 'ethpara' and there is also a monastery nearby. The stream joins the Heenganga and later the Mahaweli ganga.

The fall is located in Meemure village in Kandy District (Minipe Provincial Secretariat Division) and requires a 12km trek through the jungle.

Among the 13 waterfalls in the Matara district is the Hathmale Falls in Deniyaya. The source of the fall is the Deniyaya Gongala mountain range and the stream flows on to the Ginganga at Pallegama.

Hathmale Falls (45m high and 10m wide) is the tallest fall in the Gin ganga and is split into seven segments ('hathmala'). It is popular with both local and foreign visitors.

The fall is located 12km from Deniyaya in the Matara District, Deniyaya Pallegama GS area. Take the Deniyaya - Pallegama road and turn off near the Pallegama bridge. From here it is 8km to the fall.

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