Places of Interest Around Walawa Region - Sankapala Raja Maha Viharaya

Situated in the Ratnapura district belonging to the Atakalan Korale Thambagamu Pattu Pallebedda Village the Sankapala Raja Maha Viharaya lies in the outskirts of Ratnapura Hambantota main road near the 24th milepost. From here a distance of about 150 yds, is the rock mountain wherein the ruins of buildings, a Bo tree, a dagoba, and a cave Deralaya has been found.

Brahamin inscriptions cared beneath the dripledges ("Katarama" in Sinhalese) of the rock dating back to a period of even before the birth of Christ is ample evidence to prove the existence of a monastery.

Folklore has it that Pussa Deva a warrior of King Dutu Gemunu (161-131 BC) resided here. This is conformed by the fact that Pussa Devas name has been mentioned in the rock inscriptions. Pussa Deva who played a prominent part in King Dutugemunu's wars was well versed in the art of war and blowing the conch shell. Hence the emblem conch shell was used to identify him. Further it is mentioned that later-on in life he was ordained a monk and achieved the state of Rahath. However, owing to the evils of nature this abode had been later abandoned.

This place was resurrected again and made a popular place of worship by Venerable Karathota Dharmarama during the Kandyan period. 

Handapanagala Tank

Handapanagala tank is located 16 km away from Wellawaya town where one has to travel 12km from Wellawaya to Handapanagala junction and then 4 km from along Handapanagala  . There is a rocky plain on the either side of the bunt. The tank is full of water throughout the year and fed by the waters of Kirindi Oya.

 There are facilities to cross it by canoes. The Inland Fishery Industry is also practice around here. Handapanagala tank is popular among locals as well as foreigners as an elephants watching place because elephants gather to the tank every evening.

Evening is the best time to visit handapanagala tank.

This Attraction is 45 minutes drive from Hotel Premises.   

Wavulpane Caves

 Situated in the Kolonne Korale, about 912 feet above sea level the Wavulpane Cave consists of about 12 different sized caves. This superb limestone cavern is named after the nearly 250,000 bats that inhabit it.

The cave also boasts of having the richest percentage of Calcium Carbonate deposits in Sri Lanka. The magnificent stalactites and stalagmites are a cave explorer's paradise!

The 45m Wavulpane fall is an internal waterfall within the    limestone cave, which is 500 billion years old and is the oldest such cave on the island.

This Attraction is 30 minutes drive from Hotel Premises.   

Buduruwagala

Surrounded by a beautiful man made ancient lake are the relatively unknown mysterious historic rock sculptures of Buduruwagala. These seven colossal figures pertaining to the Mahayana Buddhist Doctrine sculptured on to a rock face is still a controversy. The name Buduruwagala means "stone images of the Buddha," and at 51 feet here stands the tallest in Sri Lanka and perhaps in the world, since the Bamiyan figures no longer exist in Afghanistan. The sculpture at Buduruwagala is in lower relief unlike the other comparable Buddha statues in the country at Aukana (46 ft), Saseruwa (36 ft) and Maligawila (36 ft) and for all of which it may have served as a model. 

Near this place, there is an international meditation centre now getting very popular among foreign travelers who love yoga and meditation. The surrounding area provides the ideal location for meditation.

This Attraction is 45 minutes drive from Hotel Premises.   

Madunagala Hot Water Springs

Mahapelessa Hot Water Springs (also known as ‘Madunagala Hot Water Springs’ due to the Madunagala Aranyaya close by), is a very interesting and refreshing destination.

Opening Hours : 7:00 am – 7:00 pm

Hot Water Springs are about 30 minute drive from the hotel premises. 

UDAWALAWA National Park

 Size                      :    30,821 hectares

 Main Attraction  :    Large herds of Elephants

                             Other Wildlife         :    Spotted Deer, Sambhur, Barking deer and Langur, Wild Bow,      Crocodiles, Water Buffalo, Peacocks and      many migratory birds.

Udawalawe National Park straddles the Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces and includes the Udawalawe Reservoir, together with much of its catchment area. Its altitudes range from about 330 ft. (100m) on the plains to 1225 ft. (373m) at the top of Ulgala, the highest point within the park. The park is surrounded by cultivated land.

Located in the Dry Zone Udawalawe comprises grasslands and thorn scrubs. Best time to see Elephants in park is the early morning and late evening. The park opens at 6 am. It is best to be at the gate by this time. In this park you will never come out without seeing some elephants. If you are lucky you might see herds over 100 elephants.

The Park entrance is less than one minute drive from the hotel premises.

Some Photos From Elephant Rest Area

Maduwanwela Walawuwa (Mansion)

Maduwanwela Walauwa (walauwa refers to an ancestral house) also known as the Burutha Maligawa (“satinwood castle”), was originally built in the 18th century by Maduwanwela Maha Mohottala during the Dutch occupation. The Walauwa has been home to six generations of the Maduwanwela family. The current layout of the house dates back to the time of the last of the line, Sir James William Maduwanwela Maha Dissawa, born in 1844, popularly known as the Black Prince of Sabaragamuwa. He completed work on the house in 1905, adding 121 rooms, 21 inner compounds or meda midulas, three security walls, and a complete   court house.

A unique feature of the Maduwanwela Walawwa is the door frames, all less than two meters high. Maduwanwela Dissawa was a small-made person and made the door frames to fit his size. Most of the foreign officials, who frequently visited for official work, had to enter the house by bending, which they did not enjoy very much.

The paved floors have been laid out in a mosaic style with chipped tiles. The colourful and intricate detailing in the mixture leaves an impressive, lasting impression about the walauwa on any visitor. The tiles were laid in 1905 yetare still in excellent condition. This is about 45 Minutes drive from the Hotel Premics.

Maduwanwela Walauwa (walauwa refers to an ancestral house) also known as the Burutha Maligawa (“satinwood castle”), was originally built in the 18th century by Maduwanwela Maha Mohottala during the Dutch occupation. The Walauwa has been home to six generations of the Maduwanwela family. The current layout of the house dates back to the time of the last of the line, Sir James William Maduwanwela Maha Dissawa, born in 1844, popularly known as the Black Prince of Sabaragamuwa. He completed work on the house in 1905, adding 121 rooms, 21 inner compounds or meda midulas, three security walls, and a complete court house.

A unique feature of the Maduwanwela Walawwa is the door frames, all less than two metres high. Maduwanwela Dissawa was a small-made person and made the door frames to fit his size. Most of the foreign officials, who frequently visited for official work, had to enter the house by bending, which they did not enjoy very much.

The paved floors have been laid out in a mosaic style with chipped tiles. The colourful and intricate detailing in the mixture leaves an impressive, lasting impression about the walauwa on any visitor. The tiles were laid in 1905 yetare still in excellent condition. This is about 45 Minutes drive from the Hotel Premics.

Path Duwili Falls 

Duwili Falls

Duwili Elle, which is a marvelous creation of nature, cascades from a height of about 63 feet. It is located about 4k.m. from Balangoda at Thanjantenna a little to the inferior.
This magnificent waterfall, which is a creation of the Walawe River cascades, down a rock during the rainy season and is known as Punchi Duwili Elle. The water, which flows down from about 30 m below, is called Maha Duwili Elle. The flow of water forms a wonderful creation.

Duwili Elle breaks up into two and coming down forms a pool of water below, the depth or size of which none have found out 50 far. From there the Walawe River flows up to the kaltota dam. The dust like drops of water emanating from the spray is the origin of the name Duwili Elle. For, ‘duwili’ in the sinhala language is dust. This waterfall and its natural beauty is a paradise, which attracts tourists from all over the world.

This Water fall is located about 40 minute drive from the hotel premises. 

Elephant Rest Introduction

Elephant Rest is a perfect place for vacation to explore the walawa region. Elephant Rest is situated in a traditional Sri Lankan Village surrounded by sugar cane fields which stretches for miles, and serves you a wide array of Eastern, Western and Chinese cuisines with exotic mouth watering vegetables and fruits guaranteed to give you an experience out of the Ordinary.

02 Beautifully appointed spacious family rooms with en-suite facilities and large verandah. Each with accommodation facilities 02 to  04 people.a

One large family rooms with accommodation capacity for 06 to 08 people.

Restaurant specializing in Western and Eastern cuisine with dining facilities for 36 people.

Satellite TV in Rooms 

Room Services

Carom, Chess and Cards

Lake Bathing at Katupila wewa (Two minutes drive)

Safari Jeep Tours to Udawalawa National Park.