Belihuloya Explained
| Official Name: | Belihuloya |
| Pushpin Map: | Sri Lanka |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Sri Lanka |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Sabaragamuwa Province |
| Timezone: | Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone |
| Utc Offset: | +5:30 |
| Timezone Dst: | Summer time |
| Utc Offset Dst: | +6 |
| Coordinates: | 6.7181°N 80.7672°W |
| Postal Code: | 70140 |
Belihuloya is a village in the Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka.[1] It is approximately 150km (90miles) south-east of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 616m (2,021feet) above sea level. This hillside location is a climatically transitional area, linking both the dry and wet zones and the hill and low country. Belihuloya is derived from the Belih Oya ("Oya" being the Sinhala word for river), which flows through the area.
Transport
It is located on Colombo Batticaloa Hwy.
Natural attractions
The area around Belihuloya contains a number of waterfalls, including:[2]
- Pahanthuda Ella (also known as Galagama Ella) - The base of this 4.6m (15.1feet) waterfall is shaped like an oil lamp. The name Pahanthuda is derived from the Sinhala word “pahana” for lamp. It is located approximately 1.5km (00.9miles) from Belihuloya.
- Bambarakanda Ella (also known as Bambarakele Ella) - The highest waterfall in Sri Lanka, it is 2630NaN0 in height and ranks as the 299th highest waterfall in the world.[3] It is located approximately 18km (11miles) from Belihuloya.
- Surathalee Ella waterfall slides down along a rock wall on the eastern slope of Mt Ellamana for approximately 20m (70feet), forming this waterfall. It is located 8km (05miles) from Belihuloya.
- Brampton Falls - The tributary of Weli Oya flows down the eastern slopes of Mt Papulagala (1530m) forming several cascades among the trees of the surrounding monsoon forest. This fall is approximately 6m (20feet) in height and is located amongst several other smaller falls. It is located about 10km (10miles) from Belihuloya.
- Papulagala Ella - Located in the Brampton Estate (Tea Plantation) on the slopes of Mt. Papulagala. During the rains a brook forms this waterfall, which is about 30m (100feet) high. It is located 5km (03miles) east of Belihuoya at Lower Hiralouvah
- Hirikatuwa Oya - It is located about 4km (02miles) from Belihuloya. Along the road to the Nonpareil estate about 2 km, a car park for this popular bathing place is found.
Physical attractions
- Samanala Dam is the second-largest hydroelectric scheme in Sri Lanka, generating 405 GWh of energy annually. The dam is located 9.4km (05.8miles) south of Belihuloya.
Education
The Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka is located from the Pambahinna Junction, on the A4 highway which runs through Belihuloya. Administratively the university belongs to the Imbulpe Divisional Secretariat and the Rathnapura District in Sabaragamuwa Province.
Notes and References
- Parliamentary Debates, 1963, Volume 18, Issues 20-25, p 1776 Google Books
- Book: Kautzsch, Eberhard. A Guide to Waterfalls in Sri Lanka. 1983. Tisara Prakasakayo Limited. Dehiwala, Sri Lanka. 955-564-068-8.
- Web site: Bambarakande Falls. 8 September 2008. worldwaterfalldatabase.com.
