Ballys Magazine August 2017 Ballys Magazine January 2017 Published by Ballys | Page 28

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THE DEPTHS OF COLOMBO'S NIGHT LIFE
December 2016 - January 2017
Famous Sri Lankan Water falls
Bomburu Ella
Bomburu Ella is one of the most beautiful and wide waterfalls in
Sri Lanka. Located about 15km from Welimada along Welimada-
Ambagasdowa-Perawella Road; one needs to walk about 1km
along a well-paved footpath to reach this breath-taking falls. She’s
located amid lush greenery surrounded by rocky hills creating this
mysterious look about her.
Falling well over 100ft with a similar width over rocky boulders
making two prominent segments, she’s fed by one of the tributaries
of Uma River. Villages of UvaParanagama are heavily dependent on
her for their farming and drinking water supplies. The number of
people that visit her is ever so increasing as she’s being unveiled to
the world a little by little having been hidden among the thick forest
for so long.
There’s public transport up to Perawella aka Bomburu Ella from
Welimada and you can even use private vehicle. Ideal time to visit
this gorgeous lady is during the monsoon between December
and February or right after. However the water levels will drop
dramatically in the dry season due to the diversion of water for
various projects.
Diyaluma Ella
This is yet another very tall and beautiful waterfall in Sri Lanka. When you go
along the Beragala-Wellawaya Road (A4), she can be found off Koslanda right
by the road resulting this to be one of the most popular falls. She’s the 3rd
highest falls in Sri Lanka after Bambarakanda and KurunduOya respectively.
However the Wikipedia wrongly declares her to be the 2nd highest in Sri Lanka
and 361st in the world ranking showing the lack of comprehensive studies
of the waterfalls in the world. She’s also known as the “JalajaPahana” (Water
Lamp) and the “Wishmitha Ella” (Amazing Waterfall of Sri Lanka) by the locals.
Falling more than 700ft in height, she’s fed by the PunagalaOya, a tributary of
the KirindiOya. Couple of youths had successfully descended from the top of
the falls using ropes but unfortunately a tragic accident occurred when another
fell to his death while attempting to climb down.
The name Diyaluma has originated from the Sinhala words “Diya Haluma” or
“Rapid Flow of Water”. As of many waterfalls in the Sabaragamuwa and Uva
Provinces, she comes alive during the North-Eastern Monsoon season from
December to February.
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