Waterfalls of Colombo District – Pathetic side of the story

It was Ashan’s this report that prompted me to do this trip.

One of my intention of writing this report is to show you the heart breaking current states of the these precious waterfalls. There is nothing attractive in these pictures but you can compare the state of these waterfalls two years ago, with Ashan’s report and the pathetic state of same, today.

We came to Puwakpitiya along Colombo/Avissawella road and turned right towards Thummodara. First stop was Kumari Ella. It’s about 500 meters from main road and it is not possible in a car. We walked the distance and were disappointed with the very first sighting. Some illicit timber sellers has cut down a tree and ran away leaving their portable saw machine.

Left the saw and ran away

The cry of upper part of Kumari Ella

Base pool of Kumari Ella

Lower part of Kumari Ella

Then we proceeded about another five kilo meters along the same route towards Thummodara to the next water fall, Ella uda Ella and it was another sad story.

Upper part of Ella Uda Ella mostly the rock and less water

Lower part and the base pool

From there we proceeded another three Kilometers and turned to ‘Halpe Group’. This is a rubber estate and you can drive up to the water fall, Ran Mudu Ella

Dried off Ran Mudu Ella, just a string of wate

Driving another two KM we came to Thummodara Junction and turned left towards Labugama and first to meet was the Thummodara bridge. A hefty looking bridge was just enough you to get through.

Slowly creeping through

From there we went in search of Dambora Ella. It’s on the road to Ayr estate

Poorly looking Dambora Ella

I was not sure whether it was the real Dambora Ella although the locals directed me to this place.

After a disappointed half day tour we proceeded to Kalatuwawa and Labugama reservoirs, just 5 KM away from Thummodara.

These two reservoirs are located in a picturesque hilly wet zone rainforest. This virgin forest is many thousand years old and some parts of it almost completely untouched by humans and with an annual rainfall of about 4000 mm, it brings the uncorrupted clean water to the reservoirs.

Colombo District is supplied with safe drinking water by three reservoirs namely Ambathaley, Kalatuwawa and Labugama. Labugama, Today boasts an output of 10 million gallons per day while Kalatuwawa which is situated three KM away has a bigger output of 20 million gallons per day. These purification plants are doing a tremendous work to provide safe drinking water.

Safe water for drinking means that it

• Does not contain any disease causing organisms
• Does not contain chemicals hazardous to human health
• Water is clear, colorless, tasteless and odorless
• It does not stain or get precipitated.

Kalatuwawa and Labugama plants receive water under gravity and there are five steps of water purification.

1.  ’Aeration process’ – air (oxygen) is introduced into water and the taste, colour and odour causing substances and gases are removed.
2. Second step is addition of chemicals, when chemicals are added to water it reacts with soil, clay particles, microorganisms and other substances. These particles associate with similar particles to form big flocks and when it is heavy sink to the bottom with resulting clear water at the top.
3.  Third step is known as ‘Sedimentation process’ – clear water that is found at the surface of the tank is separated from the sediments and sent into the sand filters through a network of channels.
4. Fourth step is ‘Filtration’ – water is filtered through the rapid gravity sand filters.
5. Final step is ‘Disinfection’ – where they use chlorine gas to disinfect water, but they add another chemical to water, which is lime that prevents corrosion of the distribution lines.

Entrance to Kalatuwawa reservoir

Kalatuwawa reservoir – surrounded with virgin forest

Spillway of Kalatuwawa

Water purification plant at Kalatuwawa

From Kalatuwawa we came to Labugama reservoir which is only 3 KM away.

The foot step to the Labugama dam starts with an ancient moonstone although it has no historical back ground. Nobody knows how it came there. This Moonstone is believed to be the only Moonstone at a non-religious place

Moonstone at the beginning of footsteps

Labugama reservoir

Sediments – separated from clear water

Rapid gravity sand filters

Quote

“Though three fourth of the world is covered with water, less than 1% is available for human use. Even this water is polluted by the activities of man and animals. Therefore in future, to obtain safe drinking water a large sum of money will be needed. If you protect your water resources and use only what is required there would be enough water to all even for future generations. Remember, we enjoy today the water resources protected & conserved by our Great, great grandfathers. “

After a full day tour with ‘Water’ we came to Serenity Leisure Village for the night stay. This place is comparatively very cheap and the place is very well maintained.

Entrance to Serenity Village

We stayed in a family room which can accommodate five easily. It’s a two story non A/C room with attached bathroom, H/C water, fans, TV and telephone. There are two swimming pools and ample places for outdoor games.

Ground floor of the room

Upper floor

Next day on our way back we dropped at another place which is unknown to most of us. This is Ayr Bungalow situated in Ayr estate. Locals call this ‘Gal Bangalawa’ (ගල් බන්ගලාව). This place is also known as the “Tajmahal of Sri Lanka.” This is about 8 KM from Thummodara towards Padukka.

Thummodara/Padukka road well paved and surrounded with lush greenery

The story of Ayr bungalow is romantic. Arley Elford, a planter who was the superintendent of this rubber estate had married a Scottish girl from a wealthy family. When they came to the bungalow in Ayr estate, his bride was disappointed with his humble dwelling. She had told him to build a castle for her and returned back to her native Scotland. It then became Elford’s dream to build a house worthy of her and so began the construction of this bungalow in 1922.

He built this bungalow, which is a majestic replica of a Scottish castle, on a mountain top. It was carved out of granite bricks with double layer walls and two walls were filled in-between with sand to keep the house cool. He has taken nine years to finish this house and by that time his wife tired of waiting had gone off with another. He was using estate labours to built this house and his employers in England came to know about this colossal waste of time, money and labor and terminated his job. Ultimately, Elford lost his job, this lovely bungalow and also his loving wife. Heartbroken Arley Elford left Ceylon for United Kingdom, leaving his legacy of love.

Taj Mahal of Sril lanka (Ayr Bungalow) ගල් බන්ගලාව

Solid blocks of granite bricks

This spacious, airy bungalow has now been acquired and restored by Pussellawa Plantation Ltd to a fair extent (with a swimming pool) and is now open to visitors looking for a plantation holiday of quiet walks and solitude. There are four large rooms with attached bathrooms with H/C water and equipped with air-conditioning. Each room has its own sprawling balcony affording views of the surrounding countryside.

View from the upper floor. Note the swimming pool

The bedrooms are large and airy. You can bring your provisions and get them to cook.

If you wish you can also get meals from them and it will cost around 400/= for a meal.

This place is good for an office day out also.

Reservation:

Tel :011 7990000 / Ext 127

Mobile : 0777 774738

Pussellawa Plantations Ltd

No.168, Negombo Road,

Peliyagoda,

Charges:

Rs.22,500/- per night, entire bungalow. Maximum of 16 pax. – Accommodation only