HERITAGE

Gal Oya’s landscape is considered among Sri Lanka’s most beautiful, with the Senanayake Samudra reservoir surrounded by granite hills, lush grasslands, and dense forests. The reservoir, covering 163 square kilometers,...

When the Gal Oya project began, the area was rich in wildlife, particularly elephants, which thrived in the untouched forests. Established in 1954, Gal Oya National Park serves as the...

Adding to the rich tapestry of Gal Oya’s heritage are the intriguing Ovagiriya monastery ruins. This ancient site unveils the remnants of a monastic complex, notably featuring a unique stupa...

When the project began, Gal Oya was rich in wildlife, particularly elephants, which thrived in the untouched forests. Established in 1954, Gal Oya National Park now protects this biodiversity, spanning...

Spearheaded by Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake, the Dominion of Ceylon’s landmark Gal Oya Project, its first major post-independence undertaking, aimed to reshape the valley by damming the Gal Oya...

The Vedda people, often referred to as Sri Lanka’s aboriginals, have a history dating back to at least 10,000 BC, with archaeological evidence suggesting Neolithic origins. In the Gal Oya...

The 108 km long Gal Oya River originates east of Badulla and flows towards the Indian Ocean south of Kalmunai. Dammed 100 km from Batticaloa and 318 km from Colombo,...

Unlike many highland peaks with jagged summits, Pidurutalagala’s top is distinctively flattened, covered in a carpet of green patana grass that gives it an almost otherworldly appearance. This unique summit,...