As one of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots, Sri Lanka has the highest biodiversity per unit area of land among all Asian countries. Protecting our unique and diverse ecosystems is vital in the fight against accelerating climate change and as an indicator of the health and resilience of the environment. 

Along with protecting Sri Lanka’s biodiversity, we must look at the economic aspects of biodiversity conservation and livelihood management. To ensure the sustainability of managing biodiverse locations such as national parks, arboretums, bird parks and wetlands, it is necessary to explore innovative methods of raising financing. 

Tourism is an effective method of leveraging and mobilising available natural resources for biodiversity financing. Accordingly, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka supported the Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment (MoE) in Sri Lanka to conduct an awareness program for tour guides and tour operators to promote eco-tourism in Dambulla at the NIFS-Popham Arboretum. This program was conducted recently as a part of the “Environment Week” declared by the MoE to celebrate World Environment Day on 5 June. As such, 2 June was named Biodiversity Day, and the awareness program was conducted in honour of this. 

Given the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, reliance only on State funding for conservation and protection is simply not sustainable. Accordingly, exploring methods of achieving financial sustainability for biodiversity conservation is vital. The sustainable use of natural resources and biodiversity for livelihood and income generation is one such method of ensuring conservation whilst empowering communities in the surrounding areas.

An arboretum is a botanical collection composed of a wide variety of species and trees. The NIFS-Popham Arboretum is situated 2.5 km away from Dambulla and was gifted to the National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS) in 1989 to carry out research and educational activities. This arboretum hosts many local and foreign researchers for ecological research purposes and is a popular tourist destination due to its unique biodiversity. The arboretum has rich vegetation of over 200 plant species and a variety of unique fauna to be found, and it acts as a restoration site for valuable and endangered indigenous forest species. 

There is significant potential for the arboretum to be further developed as an eco-tourism destination as it hosts many activities such as day and night safaris, camping, and offers other lodging and research facilities. The MoE has planned to develop this arboretum into a profitable and sustainable eco-tourism venture, whilst ensuring the maintenance of its unique and precious ecology. 

Speaking at the workshop, Dr. R.D.S. Jayathunga from the Ministry of Environment stated, “Biodiversity in Sri Lanka has faced many challenges. Eco-tourism has been identified as a major area to promote the conservation of biodiversity… It contributes to community development.” UNDP in Sri Lanka and the European Union (EU) have come together to support the revitalisation of Sri Lanka’s Tourism Industry together with the Ministry of Tourism. With the overall support provided through the ‘Transforming Tourism in Sri Lanka: Emerging from crisis as a strong, resurgent and rebranded industry’ project, this awareness program was only a step in developing this arboretum as a tourist experience, and it aims to provide tour guides and operators in the area with the knowledge to promote it as a sustainable nature-based experience. The participants were enriched with knowledge of the arboretum’s biodiversity value, the role of a tour guide in eco-tourism practices, and eco-tourism opportunities in the arboretum, with space provided for guides to share their ideas and experiences as well. 

Commenting on the EU’s overall support to the tourism industry, Harshani Halangode from the EU stated, “With the valuable partnership with UNDP, we aim to revitalise and transform the tourism industry into a resilient, sustainable, and intrinsic sector. We are pleased to help upscale tour guides and tour operators in the area, supporting livelihoods, providing skills development for youth, and supporting rural communities.” 

The collaboration between the EU and UNDP signifies the critical importance of tourism to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery at this critical juncture. 

Speaking on the partnership, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Sri Lanka Malin Herwig said: “In close partnership with the EU, we are working to protect natural and cultural assets, so that they are protected for tourism, and other needs and sectors. With the generous support of the EU for the Transforming Tourism Project, we are building initiatives to lay the foundation for more investments in an innovative and nature-based tourism sector.” 

The Transforming Tourism Project aims to address the urgent needs of the industry, strengthening the institutional framework and capacity to set it on a trajectory for a greener, more resilient future with a focus on such initiatives targeted at biodiversity conservation through the sustainable use of natural resources for livelihood and income generation. 

Source: https://www.ft.lk/travel-tourism/Leveraging-natural-resources-for-biodiversity-financing-through-eco-tourism-initiatives/27-735908

Aitken Spence Travels proved their commitment to uphold exemplary benchmarks in occupational health and safety by becoming the first destination management company in Sri Lanka to receive the ISO 45001: 2018 Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) management certification. 

Certified by the SGS United Kingdom Ltd., the scope covered in the assessment includes destination management services, inbound tourism and activities including support services carried out at Aitken Spence Travels. 

This is just one of the ways Aitken Spence Travels adds greater value to its stakeholders and sets benchmarks in the industry. An OHS management system focuses on establishing ongoing, systemic measures to identify and control OHS hazards and risks (including system deficiencies) in the working environment to safeguard the wellbeing of all stakeholders.

“This is yet another important step towards affirming to our employees, customers, partners and other key stakeholders on the value we place on occupational health and safety and our continuous efforts to improve and offer the best services in the industry. I thank the management team for their continuous support and dedication towards achieving this certification which is commendable” commented Aitken Spence Travels Managing Director Nalin Jayasundera.

This is one of the many certifications obtained by Aitken Spence Travels. The company maintains the Travelife Partnership Certification for the operations keeping in line with global sustainable tourism practices and has a longstanding partnership with TUI. Aitken Spence Travels was also the first destination management company to obtain ISO 9001:2008. Furthermore, the company’s operations are ISO 14001:2015 certified for their efforts towards environmental impact control.

Aitken Spence Travels, part of the diversified blue-chip conglomerate Aitken Spence PLC, is a joint venture with TUI Travel PLC, the world’s largest integrated tourism company. The Group’s destination management arm handles inbound and outbound tour packages for groups, FIT (Free Independent Travellers) and the MICE segments (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) which operates in a highly competitive and tumultuous business environment.

Source: https://www.ft.lk/travel-tourism/Aitken-Spence-Travels-first-to-be-certified-for-Occupational-Health-and-Safety/27-733660

Wangedigala is a popular hiking spot situated in a village called Kalupahana. It is given the name Wangedigala (Pestle) because the top of the mountain looks like a Pestle. This is one of the most beautiful greeny Mountains with different peaks. Hiking through the forest of Wangedigala gives hikers amazing views of the surrounding areas including the Bambarakanda Falls and Lanka Ella Falls. 
​
Hikers need to climb on steep mountain slopes covered with pine needles. Additional precautions should be taken due to the slope which can become slippery when dry. Much stamina is required for average hikers as the hike can take up to 3 to 4 hours. It is also a popular spot for camping with its cool climate and amazing view at the peak. It is recommended to camp overnight as it will be difficult to climb down on the same day. By evening when the darkness falls you can see the beautiful sunset and also after the camping night you can see the beautiful sunrise from the top of the mountain.​

​DIFFICULTY LEVEL: ADVANCED
Take adequate drinking water and food as much as you can. Because there is no water flows at the top. Even during the rainy season, there is only a small flow of water at the top of the mountain.​

Take no polythene or plastic and leave it there because nature needs to be protected by all of us

If you’re making a fire on top, try to be happy with whatever you have. Don’t cut down the few trees on the hillside.

You are on your own because there are no sanitary facilities at the top.

​

Although the Sri Lankan tourism sector is still struggling due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the island nation received the highest number of foreign tourists in December 2021, with majority of the holidaymakers from India.

Despite shutting of borders in the wake of the health crisis for several months, a total of 194,495 tourists arrived in the island nation, with over one-fourth of them from India, said the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

The SLTDA said that India topped the list with 56,268 tourists, followed by Russia (16,268) and the UK (16,646), Germany (12,442), Ukraine (7,037), France (6,549), the US (6,124), Kazakhstan (5,754), Canada (5,079) and China (2,417).

After witnessing two Covid-19 waves, Sri Lanka’s tourism was further ravaged by the third wave of the pandemic in April 2021. However, one of the top tourist destinations in the world, Sri Lanka gradually opened for holidaymakers and a number of promotions were introduced in connection.

To get more visitors from the neighbouring nation, flag carrier SriLankan Airlines launched a Buy One, Get One Free Ticket campaign for Indian tourists. The airlines also started several weekly flights to Chennai and Mumbai, while operations commenced to Bengaluru, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Trivandrum, and Cochin.

In August 2021, the country opened its borders for fully vaccinated travellers and the next month it also removed the mandatory on-arrival PCR tests. Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, the third highest foreign income earner, suffered a massive blow with the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks targeting Christian churches and five-star hotels in April 2019, killed nearly 25o people, including foreigners.

The country which was recognised as Lonely Planet’s number one travel destination in October 2019 was planning to attract 2.5 million tourists compared to its 2018 figure 2.3 million. Sri Lanka recorded over 1.9 million tourist arrivals in 2019 earning around USD 3.5 billion. As the pandemic raged, the sector further suffered in 2020, with the figure plunging to 570,000.

The event featured insightful presentations on the culture, history, traditions and distinctive customs of Sri Lanka, Ceylon tea, amazing sights and attractions of the island delivered by the staff of the Embassy. A representative of SriLankan Airlines highlighted the ease of travel from Russia to Sri Lanka with the resumption of direct flights and relaxation of Visa process. The audience also treated with a colourful collection of traditional Sri Lankan dances, Sinhala songs performed by the Russian youth and students of the Sinhala course conducted by the Embassy and a fashion show including batik dresses and Sri Lankan wedding costumes.

The event was attended by around 50 guests representing culture, trade, tourism, tea – related spheres as well as Russian media, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia Prof. Janitha A. Liyanage, Deputy Director of the RSL Natalya Samoilenko and Deputy Director of the Center for Oriental Literature of the RSL Mikhail Milanyin. Since due to the pandemic restrictions the admission to the site was restricted, those who could not visit the event were able watch it online through the Embassy social media.

In the course of event, the Embassy donated a number of cultural items, which were received from the National Crafts Council, to the State Museum of Oriental Arts and to the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera). Russian books translated to Sinhala to Russian were also donated to the State Library and the Center for Oriental Literature of the RSL.

The exhibition included books of the Russian State Library collection of Sinhala, Tamil, Russian and English, published in Sri Lanka, in the USSR, Russia and other countries of the world. The exhibition is open for the readers of the library from 23 to 30 November 2021, It includes more than fifty publications, including novels and stories by the outstanding Sri Lankan writer Martin Wickramasinghe.

The Embassy provided for the exhibition numerous objects of culture and everyday life of Sri Lanka: traditional dresses, wooden masks used in rituals and theatrical performances, musical instruments, jewelry and boxes, brass items, batik paintings, etc.

The Embassy highly appreciates the input of everyone who helped to bring the initiative of the “Sri Lankan Day – 2021” to a reality.

− Administration of the Russian State Library and the Center for Oriental Literature;

− Students of the Folk vocal studio «Azure sapphire» from the Marfino Center for Leisure and Culture;

− Sri Lankan students, who performed traditional and national dances and model show of batik dresses;

− Interns of the Embassy who supported for the model show of batik dresses;

− Russian students of the online Sinhala course, who performed a song in Sinhala;

− All Sri Lankan and Russian volunteers;

− All sponsors of the event, etc.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Moscow

Source: http://www.travelvoice.lk/sri-lankan-day-2021-and-book-and-cultural-exhibition/

• A crying need for beach tourism

Most often we don’t succeed or progress because there is a mismatch in our actions i.e. in what we do and the results we expect. In some ways, it could be said that we continue to grapple with paradoxes, because we keep doing things that are counterproductive and then ask ourselves why we are not successful and progressing!

If we were to look at examples of what I am talking about, there are many similar situations that are going on around us that could be pointed out, and the list may seem endless. But for the sake of this article I would like to highlight just one such example. I am a naturalist myself, albeit a student rather than an expert. As a person who travels the island to observe our wildlife in its natural habitat, what I find is that we are not doing enough in terms of real conservation. There is a lot more that is required to be done for the wellbeing of our island’s natural resources or to put it more simply, for protecting our environment. 

The physical appearance of our island, its ambiance, splendour and the magical experience it can provide a visitor are all unique. Left untouched, it can be a boon to us all in the form of an industry like tourism. Tourism and the environment are interconnected and the proper handling of it is very important. But, we continue to take actions that cause harm to our environment and impede the development of tourism. 

Beach tourism not made priority

There are many types of tourism and, for us islanders, beach tourism stands at the top. With approximately 1,600 km of beach wrapped around the island, beach tourism taking priority is inevitable and something that should be taken advantage of. Be that as it may, in the last forty years or so, our country’s development plans do not seem to take this important factor into account. Therefore, our actions in this vital area of beach tourism don’t support the success we expect, because we are not doing much to preserve one of our primary natural resources — our beaches.

The best example of this is what happened at Unawatuna. Once named by the Discovery Channel as ‘The Best Beach in the World,’ it has been laid to waste today, due to a badly planned breakwater, built nearly a kilometre into the ocean. This has disturbed the natural balance of the ecosystem, washing away sand from one half of the beach, and depositing it on the other. The picturesque beach of this major tourist attraction of the south is now almost entirely claimed by the ocean. Three-fourths of the Unawatuna coast is destroyed by giant waves that crash onto the sandy shores hour by hour and the once thriving tourism business in that area would never be the same. 

Coastal protective hard structure counterproductive

Although building hard structures on the coast is probably done with all good intentions, they seem to be counterproductive because adjacent areas on the coast get affected. In fact they seem to act as a catalyst for destruction, in the form of erosion, unpredictable waves and disastrous change in ocean currents all going towards nullifying beach tourism.

However, the many reports written on the subject and presented to relevant authorities seem to be falling on deaf ears. 

A report on ‘Coastal Area Management in Sri Lanka’ prepared by Kem Lowry of the University of Hawaii and H.J.M. Wickremeratne of the Coast Conservation Dept. in 1988, has a section on ‘Ill-designed Coastal Erosion Protection Structures’ which refers to several reactive measures taken by the Coast Conservation Department (CCD). These were probably done under public pressure to prevent erosion, but they have without a doubt proved disastrous. According to Lowry and Wickremeratne, some of the structures were built without any scientific understanding of the local coastal dynamics, resulting in the ‘solution’ to prevent erosion in one area, causing considerable erosion to occur elsewhere. 

Giving an example of such ill designed coastal works, the paper refers to a long groyne construction built to stabilise the outlet of the Panadura river. The objective of the construction was to ensure that the river mouth remained open as an outlet to the Bolgoda Lake and to prevent the periodic flooding of adjacent paddy land. A secondary objective was to allow fishing boats access for mooring. Although these objectives were achieved, the groyne caused serious erosion to the north of the river, blocking the littoral supply of sand to the entire coastline from Egodauyane to Ratmalana. Numerous houses have been washed away, and the beaches of Egodauyana and Lunawa have disappeared. The main coastal railway in this area continues to exist only because of major revetments.

The paper also says “an even more dramatic example occurred when the construction of a breakwater was begun at Wellamankara in the north of Negombo, as a part of a project to build a fishing harbour along this straight portion of coast. The breakwater resulted in such severe erosion that an entire fishing village to the north of the breakwater was eventually washed away, further erosion was prevented only by removing the breakwater at a cost exceeding that of the original construction.”

Potential disaster at Mawella Bay

Despite these disasters, the construction of hard structures continues. Over the past year decisions have been made by state agencies to construct a 300 metres long stone anchorage and two offshore breakwaters at Mawella Bay, another one of our country’s beautiful untouched beaches. This decision is currently being challenged by the locals who believe it would be harmful to their environment, because once again there is no evidence of any proper scientific study done on the proposed construction.

A report by Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi, Professor of Coastal Oceanography at the University of Western Australia says the construction of these two 60m offshore breakwaters is not recommended, because they will be located in a region with high wave and current activity. The region for the proposed breakwaters is a highly complex one in terms of hydrodynamics and sand transport. The breakwaters once built will retain sand in the lee, thus interrupting the alongshore transport of sand. As the sand retained would be from regions along the ~1.5 km length of beach, there is a strong probability of extreme erosion occurring in other regions of the now beautiful Bay. 

People’s influence on the environment a leading factor in coastal erosion

A recent report published by the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) in March 2021 titled ‘Are coastal protective hard structures still applicable with respect to shoreline changes in Sri Lanka?’ also pointed to the dangers of these man-made structures in trying to prevent erosion. It said that the application of hard structures to mitigate the effect of coastal erosion has increased within the past 15 years.

The report refers to coastal protective hard structures as ‘anthropogenic activities.’ Anthropogenic means relating to, or resulting from the influence of human beings on nature. The report concluded that ‘the part of the study area experiencing coastal erosion due to anthropogenic activities may face more drastic changes in its shoreline and environment than other areas in the Western and North-Western regions of Sri Lanka. Therefore, anthropogenic activities are the leading factor in coastal erosion in the respective study area rather than natural scenarios such as a sea-level rise, climatic changes, and natural disaster conditions.’

The report also highlights that the application of hard structures is the solution that is least able to control coastal erosion in a large area because applying hard structure is good for the site but not very helpful for other adjacent areas. Therefore, as long as humans introduce no alterations, the environment will remain under its natural conditions. If the shoreline is changing naturally, as humans, we have to adjust rather than alter it.

Hard structures a problem rather than a solution

With all this evidence pointing towards breakwaters, groynes, revetments (artificial walls) and coves causing more damage than solution, it is necessary for us to look more carefully at these manmade coastal constructions. 

I believe the cost of building these structures have to be carefully evaluated. The breakwater that was built on the southern side of the Colombo harbour for the extension of the port was no doubt meaningful from a business sense. Especially in terms of the development of our capabilities in handling transhipment which has had a massive positive economic impact on Sri Lanka. However, constructing breakwaters at every nook and cranny on our coast without proper scientific research and understanding is counterproductive. The latest problem faced by residents and investors in the Mawella Bay area is typical of this malady. The local residents of the Mawella Bay area recently found the sea unusually encroaching on the mangroves, causing great distress to them. They attribute the cause of this to the building of an anchorage in the bay. 

To put it in context, Mawella Bay is two kilometres long, pristine, and well suited for high end tourism. This is one of the few beaches on the southern coast of the island that is calm, serene and remains swimmable all year round. For these reasons the bay has been benchmarked as an area for investment in creating a unique boutique tourism destination. Ad hoc plans without any scientific basis have been utilised to put up stone structures to disturb a sustainable environment that has survived centuries of changes in tides and currents to make it a beautiful, safe bay. 

Someone needs to make the decision on how development work is done in the country, in a manner that is sustainable and of value to everyone. But who will make that call? 

Source: https://www.ft.lk/columns/Sustainable-development-of-Sri-Lanka-s-coastline/4-725005

More than 1 million people including security personnel, health care staff and tourism industry workers will be given third shots of the Pfizer vaccine beginning November 1, the president’s office said in a statement. So far Sri Lanka has fully vaccinated a little over 60% of its 22 million people. The country depends on international tourism, and partially rolled back Covid-19 restrictions late last month, allowing fully vaccinated travellers with a negative test to enter without quarantine.

Earnings from tourism plummeted from $4.3 billion in 2018 to just $33 million in the first eight months of this year. Reviving the industry is seen as crucial to restoring reserves which stood at just $2.6 billion at the end of September. Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said there was strong interest from travellers from countries such as Russia, Britain, France and Germany, and that international flights will be increased from next month.

“The target is to have a strong winter season from November to March or April of next year,” he said. An estimated 400,000 people are employed in the tourism industry.

Source: https://www.traveldailymedia.com/sri-lanka-gives-covid-19-booster-shots-for-frontline-and-tourism-staff/

“The governing body of the CCF has appointed a committee of experts to collect the primary data to apply Ritigala for ‘World Heritage’ status. We believe that there are many factors, including natural and archeological factors, that makes it suitable to be deemed a World Heritage site. By the end of 2021, we hope to conclude this primary data collection, although the entire process of determining a World Heritage Site may take up to even two years,” CCF Director General Prof. Gamini Ranasinghe told The Morning yesterday (26).

Prof. Ranasinghe added that the Ritigala mountain range is unique as it is a richly biodiverse and wet area in the dry zone of the country.

The Ritigala mountain, home to an ancient Buddhist monastery, chronicled back to the 1st Century BCE, is believed to also host a number of rare medicinal herbs. Legend says that this is due to Lord Hanuman, who accidentally dropped a piece of the Himalayan mountain range over Ritigala, known for its medical herbs, when he travelled over it. An ancient man-made reservoir is part of the monastery and is regarded as a feat of engineering.

Source: https://www.themorning.lk/unesco-world-heritage-status-being-sought-for-ritigala/

Daunting Tasks, Treacherous Terrain

It took well over 70 years for the British to complete the ‘Main Line’, as they called the mountain railway,  each stage of the line presenting enormous challenges in engineering and construction. Records speak of a few thousand workers brought in from India to form the original workforce, later supplemented by Sri Lankans as the line made its way to hinterlands. Death and disease took a heavy toll on the workers, who had to toil in an extremely challenging landscape, armed only with hand tools and winches. “Every sleeper laid in Maha Oya cost a life,” states one record in David Hyatt’s Railways of Sri Lanka, referring to the diseases that plagued those working on the railway line along the plains to Polgahawela.

While the ingenious efforts of the workers led by innovative British engineering made the Main Line a reality well over a century ago, it is the equally challenging ongoing efforts by Sri Lanka Railways that keep the line safe. ‘Linesmen’ patrol every inch of the line in the mountains, inspecting every detail, particularly the bridges and tunnels — a crucial task in the extremely treacherous terrain.

Iron Bridges, Safety Protocols

The Main Line is serviced by different types of bridge architecture, namely the iron bridges belonging to open deck, semi-truss, and truss categories. The majority of bridges along the Main Line are open deck bridges, according to Dr P. B. Ranjith Dissanayake, an authority on riveted iron bridges. Truss bridges, which are covered from all sides with steel frames, were used in the bridges that span the rivers Kelani, Maha Oya and Mahaweli, while “semi-truss bridges are seen only in a few locations,”, such as the ‘60-foot bridge’ in Kotagala. “The most common type is the open deck bridge, which helps the line to make the curve, even on the deck of the bridge, along with the task of keeping to a gradient,” he explained. 

Dr Dissanayake, a senior professor at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, has conducted extensive research into the aspect of fatigue encountered by Sri Lanka’s old, riveted railway bridges.” Along with other researchers, he has developed a structural health monitoring formula for measuring the fatigue-induced challenges on iron bridges of the Sri Lanka Railways. His research has contributed immensely to the timely maintenance and retrofits of riveted bridges by dedicated work teams keeping constant watch on the century-old bridges along the Main Line. “With due maintenance, these iconic bridges could continue to function without the need for complete replacement at huge cost,” he said. “With proper care, virtually all of these iron bridges can be kept in optimum conditions for decades to come.

In addition, Sri Lanka Railways has its own protocols to ensure the safety of its iron bridges in the mountains; Senior retired driver Jayampathi Madigasekera, who has decades of experience in railroading along the Main Line, explained that it is standard practice to use two locomotives in front of the train to bring the Night Mail train down to Badulla from the heights of Pattipola because the steep descent of 1 foot per every 45 feet down to Badulla requires substantial load bearing and traction at the head of the train, which has 13 cabins – one of the longest trains that run in Sri Lanka. Railway regulations prevent more than two locomotives running together, attached simultaneously on the same line, to prevent excessive loads on the bridges. Besides, every bridge is fixed with ‘check rails’ that are attached to the deck to minimise damage in case of derailment and trains are expected to maintain speeds of around 20 kmph over the bridges between Nawalapitiya and Badulla. All these measures ensure the safety of the iron bridges on the mountains.

Railway Travels, Mountain Bridges

 When journeying by train along the Main Line, the scenic twin bridge at Maha Oya is one that must not be missed. Set in the beautiful curve of the flowing river and surrounded by the small, evergreen rainforest of Koskale Reservation, the twin truss bridge spanning 380 feet of the river is a treat to see, with the tropical surroundings adding to the experience. The Maha Oya bridge stands about 500 metres beyond Yattalgoda station, which is located at the end of a long reverse curve of the line amid the scenic countryside.

Next, beyond Nawalapitiya, once the train has passed the little Inguru Oya station towards Hatton, there stands a magical little bridge over a steep gorge sandwiched between two tunnels. Unless travellers stay alert to the rapid change of scenery, they are certain to miss out on many of the stunning sights, so the trick is to be on the lookout, eyes downward on the right side as soon as the train reaches the first tunnel. One is treated to the sight of a similar bridge over a gorge immediately before reaching the twin tunnels as well. In the narrow span of a minute and a half, one of the most beautiful experiences in the entire journey simply flashes past one’s eyes. These wrought iron bridges, built back in 1885, had been retrofitted with mild steel in 1950 as the records state, possibly due to heavy mist and ever present water vapor from the gushing waters of the gorges, particularly during the monsoon months.

As the train meanders up the sides of the Great Western mountain range beyond Talawakele station, and before it reaches the famous Soda Bottle Curve, one will witness an exquisitely constructed bridge among the sprawling gardens of tea. This is one of the most scenic bridges in the tea country setting between Watawala and Hatton. 

Moving along the line, just before it reaches Nanuoya station, the train passes over the popular ‘Waterfall  Bridges’— three of them, spanning one beautiful fall after the other. As the train curves over these three bridges, the viewer is treated to a series of sights giving possibly the best of ‘train-over-waterfall’ experiences in Sri Lanka. The stretch of waterfall bridges may include three more during the rainy season, when the steel bridges closer to Radella station too are endowed with gushing waters beneath them.

Forest Treasures, Elegant Designs

Two forest bridges deep inside the Horton Plains are hidden treasures. As the train ascends through the montane forest, about three kilometres before Ambewela station, with the Elgin falls visible in the distance on the left,  a long, dark bridge can be seen, surrounded by thick foliage. “This could arguably be the highest bridge in Sri Lanka, in terms of altitude, which would be above 6,000 feet at this point,” Adil Reeza, an avid collector of railway literature told Roar Media. “The other bridge is even more spectacular, set high above the forested ravine, located about three kilometres after the bridge passes the famous Tunnel 18 — the first tunnel after summit level at Pattipola,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Kital Ella Bridge, with its spectacular view of the countryside, is one worth a visit on foot. An essential part of the itinerary for a visitor to Ella, this bridge is constructed way above the impressive waterfall that turns into a roaring cascade during the rainy season. The bridge itself is something of a wonder, curving towards the deep valley below, with the waterfall hidden from view.

There’s little need to go into detail about the Demodara Bridge (viaduct, in fact), which has long since been recognised as amongst the most famous of landmarks in Sri Lanka. This one rushes into view as the train emerges from the first tunnel after Ella station. At the time of its construction in 1913, it was considered the longest viaduct in the east. Built under the supervision of Harold Cuthbert Marwood, the engineer in charge of the construction, the workforce had to make do with one concrete mixer, a crane, and two derricks in their effort to complete the work that took less than two years. 

Immediately after the famed Demodara loop, as the train descends into the mountain chain along which it weaves its way to Badulla, lies the famed Black Bridge, with its highly elegant design blending beautifully into the secluded location where it connects the two mountain ranges. Of the deck bridges that span countless ravines in the mountains, the Black Bridge is arguably the finest in design, due to its aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Uduwara Bridge that meets the eye a little after the train passes the station is the last of the iconic bridges along the line to Badulla. Built above the valley, about nine stories high from the valley floor, this majestic structure that spans a length of over 330 feet may have been the tallest structure in iron and stone in Sri Lanka at the time of construction, according to Reeza.

Mountain railway bridges along Sri Lanka’s Main Line are spectacular in their own right, due in part to the vantage they provide to view the majestic natural beauty visible from high above the ravines. The treasured moments, though fleeting, where the traveller is suspended between the gushing stream below and the sky above is the gift one is rewarded with for any travails endured during the long journey to and from the mountains.

Source: https://roar.media/english/life/travel/main-lin-marvels-sri-lanka-railway-bridges/amp

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in its Facebook page said that ‘Both calves are male’.

The first calf is born at 4 am and the second calf after 10 am.

This is the first semi-domesticated twin elephant birth in the history of Sri Lanka, it added.

They said that this is a historic elephant birth from the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.

In 2020, Sri Lanka for the first time recorded the birth of twin elephant calves in the country’s Minneriya National Park.

Source: https://www.newsfirst.lk/2021/08/31/elephant-gives-birth-to-twins-at-pinnawala-elephant-orphanage/