The Kabaradola Ella is another uncommon attraction in
the Western Province yet to get visitors attention. The
fresh waters of this waterfall and the fauna and flora in
the area is unique. The fall can be reached following the
Palindanuwara – Kalawana Road passing Athwelthota.
The Old Colombo Dutch Hospital (known as The Dutch Hospital) is
considered to be the oldest building in the Colombo Fort area dating
back to the Dutch colonial era in Sri Lanka. It is now a heritage
building and a shopping and dining precinct.
Built as a hospital by the Dutch, it has been used for several
different purposes, over the years. It is believed to have existed
since 1681, as recorded by German Christoper Schweitzer. The
Dutch established the Colombo hospital to look after the health
of the officers and other staff serving under the Dutch East India
Company. The hospital’s close proximity to the harbour allowed it
to serve Dutch seafarers. The most famous of all the surgeons who
worked in the Colombo hospital was undoubtedly Paul Hermann,
who served from 1672-79. Herman has been described as the father
of botany in Sri Lanka.
In the suburb of Kaluthara, nestled in the middle of Athwelthota lays another breathtakingly beautiful waterfall away from the prying eyes of humanity. The Waterfall named Diganna Ella, is shrouded in many different folklores and beliefs and rites and rituals of cultures of local community with deeply embedded yet justifiable cautiousness towards the waterfall. The waterfall also named as Mannawatta Ella relating to the mystery that the local population holes in their beliefs.
Not having a proper road may be a hindrance to visit this marvelous destination as it also posed a reason to its lower popularity yet at the same time have its beautiful attraction preserved and we’ll developed. Apart from the cascading stream of pure water, the area houses many endemic species including birds, insects, amphibians and even butterflies which are native to Sri Lankan Biosphere. Thus this waterfall area can be referred as a mini sanctuary of suburb of Kaluthara District.
Gangaramaya is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in
Colombo, started by the famous scholar monk Hikkaduwe
Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera in the late 19th Century. This
Buddhist temple includes several imposing buildings and
is situated not far from the placid waters of Beira Lake
on a plot of land that was originally a small hermitage
on a piece of marshy land. It has the main features of
a Vihara (temple), the Cetiya (Pagada) the Bodhitree,
the Vihara Mandiraya, the Seema malaka (assembly
hall for monks) and the Relic Chamber. In addition, a
museum, a library, a residential hall, a three storeyed
Pirivena, educational halls and an alms hall are also on
the premises