Kitulgala
Then……and now
Southwest of Kandy and north of Adam's Peak, Kitulgala hugs the
Kelani Ganga (River) as it meanders through the Sri Lankan 'jungle'.
Made famous by the Oscar-winning epic
Bridge on the River Kwai, which was filmed here in 1956
by Sir David Lean, Kitulgala is now a popular area for nature
walks and bird-watching, and it is one of the few places in Sri Lanka
where white-water rafting is possible.
Why visit Kitulgala?
Nestling between the hot sandy beaches of the West coast and
the vertiginous Hill Country, Kitulgala is a convenient place to
break your journey either into or out of Sri Lanka's cooler 'Up Country'
region. Whether interested in nature walks, bird watching, white-water rafting,
or relaxation, Kitulgala is a quiet and peaceful retreat.
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Kelani Valley Forest Reserve
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Although the nature trails in the Kelani Valley Forest Reserve
offer similar bird-watching opportunities to Sinharaja Biosphere Reserve, this area
is still well worth a visit. Like Sinharaja, the lowland rainforest around Kitulgala
is one of the best spots to see endemics on the island. For example, the Sri Lanka
Hill Munia, Chestnut-backed Owlet and Sri Lanka Small Barbet are all resident here, and
the Green-billed Coucal is certainly easier to see at Kitulgala than at Sinharaja.
The Kelani River offers three different sections for white-water rafting.
Most people who are beginners will head for the middle section, which has ten Grade 2 or 3 rapids
separated by peaceful stretches of calm water. The more challenging upper section has
very few calm stretches between rapids and is popular with intermediate rafters. The
lower section is calm enough for children to be introduced to this adrenaline-inducing
water sport.
Belilena Cave, which is about 10 km from Kitulgala high up in the Inoya Estate, is one of the
larger prehistoric caves on the island, where the 12,000-year-old skeletal remains of
’Balangoda Man’ (Homo sapien balangodensis) were found. The prehistoric settlements
of the area date back to a very early period, as shown by recent cave excavations as well as
those carried out at other sites. The earliest settlement dates back to around 29,000 years ago.
Skeletal remains, microliths, bone implements, cherts and food remnants have been found in local
caves. Evidence of prehistoric animals has established that hippopotamus, rhinoceros,
lion and three species of elephant lived in the area.
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