Water Falls of Sri Lanka...

                                       ........By a nature lover. 

Waterfalls are one of the most fascinating natural phenomenon. They have charmed human beings from the beginning of time.

Sri Lanka in comparison to its size has perhaps the largest number of waterfalls of any country in the world.

Several geographical factors are necessary for there to be an abundance of water falls in any country. They are ,

    1.  The geographical formation has to be such that there is a sharp up thrust of the earth's surface.

    2.  They should flow over a hard surface which can resist erosion for a long long time.

    3.  There should be plenty of rainfall. 

All above factors contributed to abundance of waterfalls in this tiny island nation, which has an average annual rainfall about 200" and constantly flowing streams.

There are about hundred major water falls and many more minor waterfalls in the island.  I have seen about sixty waterfalls. This is an attempt to share the beauty of these giants with the rest of the world and you will be the judge of my humble attempt.

 I was inspired by the great work of Dr. Eberhard Kautzsch, a German medical doctor who wrote "A guide to the waterfalls of Sri Lanka", the first and only comprehensive book on the subject. Also the "Handbook for the Ceylon Traveler " by Studio Times Publication has widened our understanding of this beautiful little island and helped a lot to reach some of the lesser known water falls.

In this attempt there are few others who helped me and should be acknowledged. Dr.C.K.Pathirana by lending his scanner, DR.Roshan Dassanaike by helping me to understand the finer points of internet and web page publishing and Dr.Mahanama Gunasekera for his initial motivation, which turned me to be a nature lover.

I am not alone in this quest. I am supported and accompanied by my beloved wife Dr.Srimalee, daughter Sanduni and son Pasan with the extended family consists of Jason aiya, Pradeepa akka and Dinani duva (Both can remember every detail of all the waterfalls visited - a knowledge found most useful), mother Kamala and father Albert (both in spite of in 70^s visited almost all waterfalls!!).

 The island is divided into nine provinces. Of them waterfalls are abundance in the hill region which includes Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa and parts of Western provinces. The Southern province has several water falls too. Dry zone (North, North-Central, North-Western and Eastern) hardly has any water falls other than the spill of major man made reservoirs. 

Below is a map which could be used to have an idea of where about of these provinces. As soon as possible I will publish a complete guide to individual falls and until such time a good map and above mentioned books would  be of help.

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