Beauty of the Uva Province in Sri Lanka!!!

Uva is Sri Lanka's second least populated province consists of two districts: The provincial capital is Badulla. Uva is bordered by Eastern, Southern and Central provinces. Uva's symbolic mountain is Namunukula which stands tallest among the mountain range surrounding the Badulla town. One can get spectacular views of Welimada basin, Katharagama and Hambantota beach from Namunukula peak on a clear day. The views of sun rise and sun set are magnificent too.

Its major tourist attractions are Dunhinda falls, Diyaluma Falls, Rawana Falls, the Yala National Park (lying partly in the Southern and Eastern Provinces) and Gal Oya National Park (lying partly in the Eastern Province). The Gal Oya hills and the Central Mountains are the main uplands, while the Mahaweli and Menik rivers and the huge Senanayake Samudraya and Maduru Oya Reservoirs are the major waterways. The main heritage sites in and around Badulla are ancient Muthiyangana temple, Dowa temple, Bogoda ancient wooden bridge and Buddhist temple. The Muthiyangana temple is located in one end of the Badulla town, Bogoda Wooden Bridge and temple is close to Hali-ela town. Ancient Rawana Buddhist temple also famous among the tourists who visit Rawana Cave and water fall in Ella. Located at the northern city limits of Badulla town is one of the most popular Dunhinda falls. 

Haputale is a town in Badulla District the tallest of its mountain range is Kirigalpottha.  Haputale-Beragala gap gives a splendid view of the Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces on a clear day. The elevation is 1431 m (4695 ft) above the sea level. The area has a rich bio-diversity dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna. The town has a cooler climate than its surroundings, due to its elevation. The Haputale pass allows views across the Southern plains of Sri Lanka. The South-West boundary of Uva basin is marked by the Haputale mountain ridges, which continue on to Horton Plains and Adam's Peak to the west. CNN named Haputale as one of Asia's most unobserved destinations. Places of interest in Haputale are; Lipton's Seat, Adisham Bungalow, Thangamale Sanctuary,  Diyaluma Falls, Bambarakanda Falls, Soragune Devalaya, Haldummulla Ayurveda Medicinal Plants Gardens, Horton Plains National Park via Boralanda, Dambetenna, and Idalgashinna and Diyaluma (628 ft in height) situated near the Koslanda village.   

Bandarawela is the second largest city in Badulla District which is 28 km away from Badulla. Due to higher altitude, Bandarawela has a mild weather condition throughout the year hence; it is popular among the citizens to spend the vacations with their family members. Bandarawela is 200 km away from Colombo and about 125 km away from Kandy. Both roads and railway transportation facilities are available to reach the area within a few hours. Bandarawela town, tinted with a colonial past resting among lush forestation has found its place among its visitors as a base for eco-tourism. During the period of British colonial era, the city occurred rapid development of the infrastructures and human resources due to tea plantations and migration of the British and local people to the area. A lot of past evidences can be seen that belongs to the colonial period. There are few buildings remaining which were built in the British colonial period with British architectural influences such as the Bandarawela Hotel, the Cargill’s building, the Tennis club, etc. 

Ancient Dowa Buddhist rock temple is one of the well known heritage sites in this region and the Roman Catholic Church, St. Anthony's Church and Methodist church are some other historic places to visit. Ancient Dowa Rock Temple was founded by King Walagamba in the first century BC and is located beside Badulla- Bandarawela high way, 6 km away from Bandarawela city. It has a 38 ft (12 m) Buddha image sculptured from a rock and some paintings belonging to the Kandyan era, depicting various Jathaka stories. Rawana Ella is situated on the Ella, Kithalella main road. 

Welimada is a town in the Badulla District. The places of interest are Divurumwela Old Temple, Sthripura Caves, and Bomburu Ella. Sthripura Cave is located at Kiriwanagama about 16 km from Welimada. The Cave consists of a series of three caves. The cave had been used by the King Rawana of Sri Lanka to hide the abducted princess Seetha.

Monaragala, meaning the ‘rock of peacock landing’ is a district in Uva Province, Sri Lanka. Moneragala district is mainly made up of rubber, cocoa and sugar cane plantations and paddy lands. The valley is mostly dry. The townships are located in the flat land. The main occupation of those who live here is farming. Cultivation of land is linked to the monsoon. The savanna like plain has its share of wildlife such as elephants, peacock, fox, buffalo, deer and elk.

The lush green hills form a wet zone (microclimate) deep within Sri Lanka’s dry savanna like plain. Springs originate in here. The hills are crowded with rubber and cocoa plantations, wild trees and overgrown tea plants. Anteater, wild boar, barking deer, mouse deer, hare, porcupine, python and monkeys are some of the common animals found in these jungles. The hills are the delight of trackers. There are several seasoned paths that wind through these hills. The hills are within 5 miles radius of Monaragala town. Buttala is the home of the largest Sugar mill in Sri Lanka Pelawatte Sugar Industries which was established in 1981. The company provides livelihood to approximately 4,200 employees and over 300,000 out growers.

Katharagama, is a pilgrimage town popular with Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and indigenous Vedda communities of Sri Lanka and South India. The town has Ruhunu Maha Katharagama Devale, a shrine dedicated to Skanda-Murukkan also known as Katharagama devio. Katharagama is situated in the Monaragala District of Uva province, Sri Lanka. Although Katharagama was a small village in medieval times, today it is a fast developing township surrounded by jungle in the South Eastern region of Sri Lanka. It also houses the ancient Kiri Vehera Buddhist Stupa. The town has a revered history dating back to the centuries of BCE. It was the seat of rule of many Sinhalese kings during the days of Rohana kingdom. Since the 1950s the city has undergone many improvements with successive governments investing in public transportation, medical facilities, and business development and hotel services. It adjoins the popular Yala national park.

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