Road to Ritigala and the little known Kalawewa Herd
Kalawewa
Large flock of black-winged stilts at the Kalawewa tank. I had to wait two patient
seasons to get this sighting.
The black-winged stilts in full flight.
Spot-billed pelicans or Pelecanus philippensis and Comorants at Kalawewa.
Black-headed Ibis or Threskiornis melanocephalus
Kalawewa, Sri Lanka. I consider this to be one of the finest locations in Sri Lanka to
photograph elephants and raptors when accessible. There is a two month window,
when Kalawewa is accessible and this has now become like an yearly pilgrimage.
We parked our jeep and watched a section of the herd march pass us towards the
Balalu Wewa jungle.
The herd of Kalawewa against the backdrop of the Ritigala Mountain range.
A 3 year wait plus some strategic jeep maneuvering to get this picture.
Kalawewa September 2007. Finally we got an opportunity to see 4 amazing tuskers
in the herd and two of them side by side.
Kekirawa September 2007. Getting close to Ritigala
Whilst leaving Kalawewa after good elephant sighting, I saw the branches full of
Painted Storks which attracted my attention.
From Kaladiya, Dambulla we sighted Ritigala Rock.
Aukana Buddha enroute to Kalawewa.
The Ritigala Mountain in the North Central Province one of my favourite hide
outs has numerous caves, large boulder masses and rocky precipices. I am told
it was a natural sheltered habitation for tribes, religious devotees and royal families.
Ritigala which has a wholesome climate at the summit prompted many
adventurists like myself to consider camping at the summit due to its healthy
environs. Ritigala which is 2,513 feet above sea level is a sanctuary, lies mid
way between Anuradhapura and Polannaruwa.
The steps that lead the way to the ruins of a monastery complex.
The ruins of ritigala. Its of deep historical significance going back to
10th and 11th Century AD.
Twin ponds in Anuradhapura.
The Lion Rock of Sigiriya is one of the most visited archeological sites we have
visited in the North Central Plains.
From the world famous Sigiriya Rock Summit, we got some interesting pictures like
this one. King Kasyappa made Sigiriya his capital and built a palace on the summit
of the rock.
The landscaped gardens of Sigiriya. 5th Century AD.
The Minneriya herd in their great formation.
Sighting of a herd at Angamedilla National Park bordering the Parakrama Samudra.
This was my first visit to the newly opened park and this sanctuary has great potential.
Lets develop it.
Kandalama tank.
Sigirya rock from Vil Uyana
A hot spot close to Ritigala
A Tusker at Kalawewa (Sept 2007)
Sunset at Kalawewa
Ritigala mountain range taken from Kekirawa
Ritigala – consists of six peaks, the highest being 2513 feet above sea level. It was
a hide away and battle ground of king Pandukhabaya. It habours unique fauna and
flora of both the dry zone and wet zone.
