Belihuloya City
Belihuloya is well-known for its paradise-like mountains, tea plantations, and powerful waterfalls. Belihuloya is a quiet, cooler, green region in the Rathnapura district of Sri Lanka. It's worth a day trip here, but staying for a few nights allows you to experience everything Belihuloya has to offer. The hills of the Belihuloya area are where you can have breathtaking views.
Wangedi Kanda
Wangedigala is situated on a close proximity to A4 Badulla - Colombo Highway. It is a well preferred camping destination due to it’s natural camping site on top of the mountain. ‘Wangediya’ in sinhala is referred to Mortar so it’s assumed that the name Wangedigala is formed from the natural shape that the mountain carries which is similar to a mortar.
How to reach Wangedigala
To reach Wangedigala, travel approximately 14km along the Colombo – Batticaloa Highway and then approximately 3.2km along the Kalupahana – Ohiya Road from Belihuloya. There are several starting points for the hike, but the Kalupahana Black and White Bridge route is the simplest and quickest.
Climbing Wangedigala is difficult, with a steep climb clinging to tree branches. Following the walking paths, you may notice that some sections of the trail have vanished.
Hiking through the Wangedigala Kanda forest provides hikers with breathtaking views of the surrounding area, including the Bambarakanda Falls, Lanka Ella Falls, and all the way to Ohiya.
About Ratnapura District
Ratnapura is the provincial capital of Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka and the Ratnapura District in which the town is situated. Located some 101 km south east of Colombo, it is the centre of a long-established industry of precious stone mining including rubies, sapphires, and other gems. Apart from gem mining, the town is known for rice and fruit cultivations. Large plantations of tea and rubber surround the town. Tea grown in this region is called low-country tea. There is a well-established tourism industry in Ratnapura. Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Udawalawe National Park, Kitulgala, and Sri pada are especially popular among tourists.
Most of the large-scale gem businessmen of Sri Lanka operate from Ratnapura. The Rattnapura town depends on the gem trade. The town's agricultural industry is also well developed. Large plantations of tea and rubber surround the town. Although rice fields also used to be a common sight around the town, rice cultivation presently faces an uncertain future in Ratnapura because many farmers are giving up their rice cultivation and switching to gem mining which is a more productive way of earning money.
Special places in Rattnapura: The mountain Sri Pada -Adam's Peak, Maha Saman Devala, Delgamu Viharaya, Pothgul Viharaya, Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral St. Luke's Church, Rathneswaram Sivan Kovil, Jumma Mosque, Diva Guhava
About Sabaragamuwa Province
The Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka contains two main cities called Ratnapura and Kegalle. At an elevation of approximately 500 feet above sea level, Ratnapura is the provincial capital of Sabargamuwa. It is 60 miles (100 km) from the main coastal city of Colombo. Province of Sabaragamuwa The gem-mining centre of Sri Lanka is also a major crossroad between southern plains and the hill country to the east.
In Sabaragamuwa province there is a route to Sri Pada from Ratnapura direction. Excursions include Sinharaja Forest Reserve and Udawalawe National Park. The route towards hill country is beautiful. The surrounding area is a popular trekking destination and a good place for bird watching.