The bed of the Mahawely Ganga, Mahiyangana, Sri Lanka.

A view of the distant hills from the river bed.

The river bed of the Mahawely.

Looking upstream.

The waters of the mighty Mahawely Ganga have been partially tamed. I took these pictures during the dry season. A vast area of sand covers about 6o% of the river bed. All the retained water is being used in irrigation and power generation. What a stupendous task has been achieved during our living memory. The green paddy fields in Mahiyangana during a severe drought in the country stands as testimony to this massive undertaking by successive governments.

Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BENdWIdFhJ4

Dawn at Mahiyangana, Sri Lanka.

Dawn at Mahiyangana.

Mahout is greeted by the elephant at dawn.

The Mahout arrives at dawn and interacts with the elephant before going out to do its days work and a bath in the Mahawely Ganga.
Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqhN52IzghA

Sorabora Wewa seen from the 'look-out point' past Madugoda, Sri Lanka.

View of the Mahiyangana valley with the Sorabora Wewa.

'Look-out point'

Vehicle park

The other side of the road.

The highway leading from Hunnasgiriya to the 'look-out point' before the descent to Hasalaka by the 18 hairpin bends is a scenic panorama not to be missed. Spend some time at the 'look-out point' feeling the force of the cold wind which will drag your clothes away. Then drive down past the 18 hairpin bends leading to Hasalaka. If you want to appreciate the scenery tell the driver to go slow even though the surface of the road might tempt a higher speed.

Videos:-

Hunnasgiriya - Madugoda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h80RXLSoH5M

An elephant  getting a ride

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3mhIjHLh9k

The 18 hairpin bends after the 'look-out point'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KoNsI8wMnI

Mahiyangana to Girandurukotte, Sri Lanka.

A lane leading to a house

Road repairs

The road from Mahiyangana to Girandurukotte is being repaired.
Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXaZcUf4OUI

Mahaweli Ganga at Mahiyangana

Looking upstream from the bridge across the Mahaweli Ganga at Mahiyangana. This bridge was built on Canadian aid in the 1950s. Before the bridge was built it was a ferry ride to visit the Mahiyangana Sthupa.

Road to Mahiyangana

The road past Hasalaka

Approaching Mahiyangana

The road past the 18 hairpin bends towards Mahiyangana is still green in spite of the drought. This is due to the irrigation schemes functioning from ancient times and recently renovated.
Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vl1cqoJ0ik

On the approaches to Mahiyangana from Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The Mahaweli Ganga flows from Kandy to Mahiyangana in Sri Lanka. It reaches the Indian ocean at Trincomallee on the Eastern coast. There was a hilly road passing along the left bank of the Mahaweli in the past. This had eighteen hairpin bends close to Hasalaka and passed through Teldeniya, Hunnasgiriya and the old Madugoda. The Mahaweli was crossed at Tennekumbara close to Kandy and again at Mahiyangana. With the developement of the Victoria and Randenigala Projects a new roadway was constructed on the Right bank of the Mahaweli. This route is longer but gives a view of these new projects. I took this picture from the latter route.