Balangoda Ranmudu Ella (Waterfall)

At 45m-high and 3m-wide, the Balangoda Ranmudu Ella Falls is located near the Ranmuthu River, and cascades down a massive rock formation. The resulting water irrigates the villages of Meddegama and Thanathiriyanwela.

Unfortunately, a recently-built bridge has marred the natural beauty of the site.

However, the bridge has done nothing to diminish the enthusiasm of local villagers, who revel in the story that the fall was used by the daughter of ancient warrior King Sitawaka Rajasinhe to bath. On one such occasion, the princess’ ring slipped from her finger and into the pool. For a moment it floated to the top, but then a huge rock fell on it from above, pinning it to the riverbed. Here it is said to remain.

King Sitawaka Rajasinhe’s treasure chest is also rumored to be hidden here, but many attempts by villagers to retrieve it have failed due to the demon that guards it, they say. Such is the power of legend, that in April 2002 an armed posse of treasure hunters carrying digging equipment, worryingly accompanied by a senior superintendent of police, was apprehended by villagers before it engaged in too much skullduggery.

The fall is situated in the Ratnapura District at Balangoda Monarangama. Take the Balangoda to Martenne road to the Niyandahela village in the Borangamuwa area.

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