Alive

Although the tree looks almost dead but it is not. A new branch has sprung with full of life.

This picture was taken at Yala National Park.

Tree and Reflection

This picture was taken at Yala. Please click and enlarge it to see all the intruders in the picture.

Butawa

Above picture was taken in front of Butawa Tank, within Yala National Park. The prominent rock seen on the other side is Elephant Rock.

A few tanks in the park keep all the animals alive during dry periods. Butawa Wewa is known as the last water resource that remains even during heavy draughts. You could see hundreds of crocodiles here, especially during dry seasons.

Trees in the Lake

Above interesting photo was taken from the tank bund of Thisa Wewa (Tank) of Thissamaharama. Thisa wewa is one of the most scenic places in Sri Lanka. I’ll prove it with some pictures soon.

Thissamaharama is a town south of Sri Lanka situated in a vital location. Some of the facts are mentioned below.

The main temple of Thissamaharama is one of the 16 sacred places of Sri Lanka for Buddhists. In addition there are number of important places with archaeological importance. Thissamaharama is very close to culturally important venue of Katharagama, where people from all religions and race come to worship throughout the year. Also it is the closest town to the southern entrance of Yala National Park.

Sunrise from Yala

This sunrise was captured in Yala, just before the main entrance at Palatupana.

Patanangala

Patanangala is a beach belongs to Yala National Park. This characteristic rock and the excellent beach make this place a memorable one. This is one of the few places where visitors are allowed to get down from their vehicles during their safari through Yala.

To view Patanangala beach from another angle, please click here and see the post by Cerno.

Elephant and the Rock

This male elephant was photographed at Yala. Usually the bull elephant is a loner. The herd is usually made of female elephants and calves.

There is another variation called ‘Thun path rena’ or three elephants. Some incorrectly identify them as father, mother and child. Actually it is either two female elephants and a calf or a female elephant and two calves. Of course one of the calves is bigger.

The rock far away in the picture is known as Akasa Chethiya, but the renowned name is ‘Elephant Rock' as it looks like an elephant.

Yala National Park

Yala is a small area in the south east coast of Sri Lanka . The name ‘Yala’ is well-known as Sri Lanka’s most famous and the second largest national park (Ruhunu National Park) is given the same name. In fact Yala is a part of the park itself.

Yala is situated about 300 km from Colombo . The park is about 1000 square kilometers and it spreads in three districts (Hambanthota, Monaragala and Ampara) belong to three provinces.

The southern part is known as Block 1 and it is the more popular section. The entry point to this section is situated at Palatupana. Nimalawa sanctuary is situated adjacent to this entry point. Western and Northern Parts, belong to Uva Province, are comprised of Yala Blocks 3, 4 and 5. Kataragama and Katagamuwa sanctuaries are situated in the west, adjacent to the park. The eastern part of Yala, belongs to Eastern Province is now known as Kumana National Park. This was recently opened to the public after many years of isolation due to security reasons.

Yala is more famous for its fauna than flora. Elephant, leopard and bear sightings are regarded as prized ones while deer, crocodiles, wild boar and wild buffalos are quite common sights. It is also a paradise for birders.

Yala is situated in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The jungle is mostly made of dry monsoon forests, thorny forests and grasslands. Among the larger varieties, Palu trees are quite common. This area gets water from two main rivers (Kumbukkan Oya and Menik Ganga), but those also run dry during dry seasons. A few tanks in the park keep all the animals alive during dry periods. One prominent tank is Butawa Wewa, which is known as the last water resource that remains even during heavy draughts.

Yala is famous for its historical significance as well. Quite a few ancient ruins are scattered in these areas and some are yet to be discovered. There are a few prominent temples situated within this park. Sithul Pahuwa is the most famous temple which is situated on top of a rocky outcrop. There are a few more rocky outcrops in the park and some of the more prominent ones are Akasa Chethiya (Elephant Rock), Jamburagala and Pimburagala.

The Indian Ocean is the southern boundary of Yala and it has some of the most beautiful and unique beaches in Sri Lanka like, Patanangala, Kumana and Minihagalkanda.

Yala is one of the must-go-places in Sri Lanka and I shall bring more about this place soon.

This post was selected for Kottu Section of week end news paper, The Sunday Leader.

Kirinda Beach

This is a similar beach to the one I posted a few days back. The difference may be that this one is more popular and you may see lots of visitors here every day.

Kirinda, is situated South of Sri Lanka close to Yala National Park. This is a popular beach venue for thousands of devotees who go on pilgrimage to Katharagama – The place of worship, South of Sri Lanka where all Sri Lankans visit so religiously regardless of their religion or creed.

There is a small temple in this place on top of a medium size rock outcrop facing the sea. As per the historical chronicles, a princess was sacrificed to the sea to prevent a catastrophic sea wave (Tsunami?) that destroyed the land in the Western coast of Sri Lanka more than 2000 years ago. To some extra ordinary reasons the sea wave was immediately suppressed and this princess survived and landed back at a remote beach South of Sri Lanka. People believe Kirinda is that historical place, where this princess landed safely. Subsequently this brave princess became famous as Queen Vihara Maha Devi.

This beach is one of the most attractive beaches in the Southern coastal belt.

Rocky Beach

This lonely rocky beach was captured close to Panama village (pronounced as paːnəmə) in the South East of Sri Lanka close to Ruhunu National Park (Yala). You can view more pictures of this place, in this post as well.

There are many similar beach fronts in that region in Yala National Park (E.g. Patanangala) and South of Sri Lanka close to the reserve (E.g. Kirinda).

I have seen some of the most attractive beaches in this region!

Sand Dunes of Panama

Panama (pronounced as pa:nəmə) is a fascinating place for a hiker. It is the last village before Yala National Park.

To reach here you have to travel to Monaragala and then take the Potuvil road via Siyambalanduwa. On the way you will pass Lahugala Nature Reserve which is quite popular for wild elephants. From Potuvil , you have to turn towards south and further travel about 20km to reach Panama which is at the edge of Yala.

The villagers here are very friendly and helpful. One of the key attractions of Panama is its sandy beaches with huge sand dunes. In fact these sand dunes saved the villagers from Tsunami Tradegy in 2004. There are two distinct long sand formations all along the coast creating enormous protecting walls.

Panama is a beautiful village by the Eastern Coast with an inimitable beauty!