Ussangoda

Ussangoda is a place of natural beauty and a designated archaeological site, situated on the Colombo - Kataragama road near Ambalantota - Nonagama Junction in Hambantota District of Sri Lanka. It is also a nature reserve and is located in the southern turtle breeding zones. Ussangoda is a patch of high ground by the sea and spreads over a significant area. But unlike the reset of the land surrounding, it is only covered with grasses and a few smalls pockets of pigmy forests. The summit of Ussangoda area pans like a plateau for a significant length

Geological and Archaeological Importance

Ussangoda is note for unusual placement by soil structure, flora, location. There are many folk stories related to this site which include different takes about the land. General belief is that it is a part of a meteor or a proximity to a meteor hit ground zero. The main rationale for this belief is the soils brick-like hard quality with a reddish colour which is unique to this patch of land. Some rocks and soil layers contain what some speculate to be remnants of an extreme heat (caused by an event such as a meteor hit). It is also suspected that the soil has a high concentration of minerals/metals giving its unique colour. In several places, especially by the sea facing areas rocks and soil can be observed clearly having multiple layers usually with distinct colourization. It is however unclear whether these speculations have been tested in any proper scientific study at all. It can be also noticed that Ussangoda is located geographically closer to another archaeological site "Miniha Gal Kanda", where evidence for pre-historic human existence has been found.

The rock debris has high iron concentration. Magnets attract them. Need further testings to confirm.

Mythology

There are several mythologies related to the area. The site is considered a sacred / forbidden ground for general affairs in local lore. One popular mythological belief is that Ussangoda is a ground of the local demi-god "Mangara". Other beliefs range from religiously rooted backgrounds to the unwritten/alternate history related to Ravana. The validity of these beliefs remain largely untested to date.

The National Art Gallery

Gal Oya National Park

Gal Oya National Park is located 376 km northeast from Colombo in Badulla District with part of it stretching into Ampara District.

Reaching Gal Oya National Park In Sri Lanka

Gal Oya National Park can be reached from Colombo via Ratnapura, Pelmadulla, Udawalawe, Thanamalwila, Wellawaya, Moneragala and then north from Siyambalanduwa to Inginiyagala. The park entrance is 20 km west from Ampara at Inginiyagala. Inginiyagala affords the tourists the opportunity of a boat trip around the great Senanayake Samudra reservoir. Ampara can be reached by domestic flight too.

Safari at Gal Oya National Park Sri Lanka

 

Gal Oya National Park allows the visitors to enjoy its beauty and wild life by Boat safari as well as by Jeep safaris. Boat safari affords the opportunity to land in an island within the reservoir called “Bird Island” swarming with birds. The Jeep safaris that consist of two tracks of 5km and 13 km are ideal to catch the sights of Elephants and leopards.

Best time to visit Gal Oya National Park is from March to July. During this period, the boat safaris bring the spectacle of herds of elephants swimming from one island to another island in the great Senanayaka Samaudra reservoir.
  

Establishment of Gal Oya National Park Sri Lanka

 

The park was established in 1954 to protect the catchment area of the great Senanayake Samudra reservoir constructed by damming Gal Oya river and two other streams in 1948 in an irrigation project to open up some 162,000 hectares of forest for agriculture.
  

Wildlife of Gal Oya National Park Sri Lanka

Gal Oya National Park is a sanctuary to 32 species of terrestrial mammals. The highest populations are common Langur (Presbytis Entellus), endemic Toque Macaque (Macaca Sinica), Leopard (Pathera Pardus kotiya) sloth bear (Melursus Ursinus), Elephant (Elephas Maximus), Wild Boar (Sus Scrofa), three species of deer and Water Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis).

 

 

 

 

Appa Villa Thalpe Beach Resort

Just 8km east of the fortress port of Galle, Apa Villa Thalpe is an elegant and, discreet retreat by some of the Sri Lanka’s most gorgeous beaches. Three distinctive villas house 7 luxurious suites, where the mood is “stylish and leisurely”. To unwind, guests can enjoy the leisure facilities provided on the hotel’s property, including jacuzzi, water sports , and an infinity pool by the Indian Ocean.

Scenic

Pearl of the Indian Ocean

Butterflies and Insects of Sri Lanka

The tropical island of Sri Lanka is a paradise of insects, and is home to 245 species of butterflies belonging to six families (including Hesperiidae). Out of the total, 24 species are endemic to the island, thus are found nowhere else on Earth!