Visit the Ethamala Ella Hidden Waterfall Near Morawaka

Sri Lanka is renowned for its natural beauty. From its white-sand beaches its rolling hill country, thousands of tourists flock to the island every year to see all the sights and wonders the country has to offer. In this regard, some of Sri Lanka’s waterfalls are some of the most picturesque scenes you’ll ever see. There are many different waterfalls scattered around the country – big and small – but few can replicate the charm and serenity of the Ethamala Ella, a hidden waterfall found in Morawaka.
the Ethamala Ella is a mid-sized water fall – at least by Sri Lanka’s standards – with a respectable height of 52 metres. The waterfall’s name roughly translates to “dead elephant waterfall”. As the story goes, it is said that a large tusker had drowned in these waters and its corpse had then plummeted the full 52 metres to the pool below. Despite the grimness of that story, the waterfall is actually at the heart of a lively and vibrant ecosystem nowadays. Most notably, several species of endemic birds frequent the lower pools and give the waterfall a cheery atmosphere.
The Ethamala Ella’s best feature is its isolation. Unlike certain other waterfalls in Sri Lanka, you will have to make a small trek to reach the location. As such, the location is ideal for a quiet outing either by yourself or friends. Be sure to take in all the wondrous sights around you during the trek itself – you never know what exotic little creature might be poking around in the underbrush.