Meeyan Ella Waterfall
Meeyan Ella is a historically significant waterfall located near the Ihalakotte railway station in the Kegalle District of Sri Lanka. This 30-meter-high waterfall has a fascinating history tied to the development of Sri Lanka’s railway system during the British colonial period.
Historical Transformation
Originally, Meeyan Ella was a single mighty stream that flowed over a rock surface, passing through the villages of Walagoda and Thalagolla before joining Thalagolla Oya and eventually Ma Oya in Boella. However, the waterfall underwent significant changes during the construction of the Colombo-Kandy railway line in the mid-1800s.
The British engineers faced a challenge when building the railway across Meeyan Ella. Their initial solution was to block the waterfall upstream and cut two deep grooves into the rock, splitting the waterfall into two smaller streams separated by about 50 meters. This allowed them to create a 1400-foot-long horizontal cut along the Alagalla rock for the railway line.
Railway Tunnel Construction
The original solution proved inadequate during heavy rains, leading to frequent flooding and destruction of the railway infrastructure. In response, between 1905 and 1906, the British constructed a 1307-foot-long (400-meter) tunnel through the Alagalla rock. This tunnel, known as Tunnel 5A, became the second-longest railway tunnel in Sri Lanka at the time.
Accessing Meeyan Ella
Visitors can reach the split waterfalls from the Ihalakotte Railway Station. The waterfall is located about 150 meters along the path of the old railway line, which runs parallel to the current rail tunnel. It’s essential to wear suitable clothing as the path can be overgrown with Mana Trees.
Additional Points of Interest
- Sangaraja Lena: A small cave where Welivita Sri Saranankara Thero lived in hiding while learning the Pali language, located 275 meters from Ihalakotte Railway Station.
- Historical Graves: The area features graves of railway workers, including S.P Appuwa and Gallene Gedhara Samara, marking the rich history of the railway’s construction and maintenance.
- Tunnel Features: The Meeyan Ella tunnel is generally damp due to the waterfall flowing over it. About 75 meters into the tunnel, there’s a large hole in the left wall that opens to the precipice outside, originally used for rubble disposal during excavation.
Meeyan Ella Waterfall offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty and colonial engineering history, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in Sri Lanka’s heritage and landscapes.
