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