Sri Lankan Expressway Plane
Bopath ella
බෝපත් ඇල්ල
Bopath ella lankawe eathi sundarama diya eali walin rathnapureta gela pealadi malayak badu mema ella sundarathwaya athin sith eada beda thabaganiThe name "Bopath Ella" has been given to the waterfall because of its shape. The water flows through a narrow gap in the rocks and then widens, forming the shape of a leaf of a "Bo" tree which is the Sinhalese name for sacred fig (Ficus religiosa). "Path" means leaves of a tree and "Ella" means waterfall. Virgin forests with a rich biodiversity surround the waterfall.
Bopath Ella is 30 metres (98 ft) high. It is formed from the Kuru Ganga, which is a tributary of the Kalu Ganga. Its mean rate of flow is 6 square metres (65 sq ft) per second, and its catchment area receives an average rainfall of 5,080 millimetres (200 in) annually. Water from the falls is used for paddy cultivation.Bopath Ella is also the most comprehensively studied waterfall in the country.
Bopath Ella is a major tourist attraction in Sri Lanka, since it is not far from the capital, Colombo, and is easily accessible. There have been unsuccessful attempts to use the waterfall to generate hydroelectricity.The path to the waterfall is lined with a number of shops and stalls, and it is somewhat polluted because of this commercialization.
Stories and myths
The waterfall has been used for bathing by ancient rulers of the country when they visited the nearby Saman Devale in Ratnapura. It is also believed that the deity Saman has appeared here.There are several myths associated with Bopath Ella. One such belief is that a local village girl jumped into the waterfall and killed herself when her lover abandoned her. He was reputedly a pilgrim from Colombo who failed to return to the pregnant girl. The girl's ghost is said to haunt the waterfall, and appears as a blue light. Another popular belief among the locals is that there is an ancient treasure trove hidden in the waterfall, and that one thousand human sacrifices are required to get it.
Rathnapura expressway E06
The Ruwanpura Expressway, also known as the Ratnapura Expressway will be Sri Lanka's sixth E Class highway. The 71.8 km (44.6 mi) long highway will link the the Kahathuduwa exit on the Southern Expressway with Pelmadulla, a major city in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, via Ratnapura, the provincial capital of Sabargamuwa Province.[1]
Construction of the highway is proposed to commence in September 2014 and will be built in 3 stages. The expressway is proposed to be completed by 2019. It is anticipated that the new expressway will reduce commuting time between Colombo and Ratnapura to 45 mins and Colombo and Palmadulla to one hour.[1][2]
Saparagamu maha saman dewalaya
Saman Dewalaya, the shrine of god saman is a citadel in Rartnapura Frozen with history, surrounded by lofty mountains, hallowed with worship and prayer in simple serenity.Writers on Sri lanka and historians have mentioned the existance of four distinct clans in Sri Lanka the Deva clan, The Naaga clan the Yaksha and the Raksha clan.People in Ratnapura District belonged to the Deva clan. Representing thin clan was Sumana a strong able religions district administrator. He was popular and over pavering not merely as a peoples Leader, but as an extremely previleged person blessed to have close access to Lord Buddha, specially on Lord Buddhas three historical visits to Sri lanka.
The Ceylon chronicles Mahavansa, Deepawansa and the Samantapasadika the Vinaya commentary give descriptions of the buddhas three important holy journeys to the island made in the fifth month, the fifth year and the eighth year after his enlightenment.Mahawansa states that Buddhas first visit to Srilanka was to Mahiyanganaya. Sumana the devoted follower of the Lord Buddha was amongst those who gathered round Lord Buddha in Mahiyanganaya.After the Dhamma sermon by Lord Buddha, Sumana exhilarated with the preaching, requested Lord Buddha to bestow a few strands of hair from his head to be enshrined. Lord Buddha granted his request and the relic was enshrined in the Miyuguna seya (stupa) in Mahiyanganaya.There after according to the Mahawansa Sumana the great decipal of the Lord Buddha attained the high spiritual state of Sovahan.Lord buddhas Second visit was to Kelaniya. Sumana paid homage to Buddha and extended an invitation to visit his own area of divelling in Ratnapura wich would be recorded as Lord buddhas third visit.Sumana earnestly requested Lord Buddha to leave a lasting impression in the Lofty rocks of Adams peak to be incessantly worshiped by the people.Perhaps seing the Magnanimity of faith in Sumana Lord Buddha left his foot print and the holy mountain remains a path way to millions who gather in peaceful worship. Through successive ages now a ceaseless pilgrimage.
Inspired by the Lord Buddhas doctrine, following the Lord Buddhas Dhamma, listening to his holy preachings Saman attained the higher state of Ariya. Later After his demise Saman become a symbol of worship and was acclaimed as God Sumana Saman. His saintly appearance remained a symbol of peace and Compassion. God Sumana Saman was also Connected with non Violence and tranqnitity. He is shown in statues holding a lotus bloom depicting calm peace and serenity.The statue of God Sumana Saman with a Lotus in hand in the Makara Pandal in Shanti Mandapaya at Saman Dewalaya is a brilliant example of God Sumana Saman’s is godliness.
Folk of the Deva clan built a shrine in the peak wilderness to pay Homage to God Sumana Saman.The Mahawansa chronicle bears evidence of a statue carred out of Sandlewood brought from Gampola by a court minister named Pathirajadewa during the Dambadeniya period. There is a belief that this statue is of God Sumana Saman, the same statue taken in procession from Galpoththawa Temple in Pelmadulla to Adams peake and back to commence and conclude the pilgvim season.There said to have existed a Buddhist Temple named Saparagrama Viharaya in the Ratnapura. Saman Devale premises. Monks from Saparagrama Viharaya have attended the pinnacle laying Ceremony in Ruwanweli Saya during King Dutugemunu’s period. This duely confirms the historical and religious connections that Sparagrama Viharaya had with other renowned Buddhist temples in the country.
A Buddhist moule by the name of Ven. Seelawansa had been on a pilgrimage to Adams peak. One night he receives a strange message more in the from of a dream about a statue kept in a rock cave in the wilderness. Deciding to follow this message the ven monk found the statue which was of God Sumana Saman. It was brought in a procession to Sapagrama Viharaya.It is mentioned in the ‘Saman Siritha’ that there after Saparagrama Viharaya was named Saman Viharaya.Before the reign of King Rajasinghe of Sitawaka Sumana Saman Dewalaya had been in the control of the Portuguese.For 40 years the Portuguese controlled the Holy land temples, slupas, statues and all Valuable relics and treasures were destroyed. King Rajasinghe of Sitawaka was successful in restoring this damage and he rebuilt the Saman Devalaya owing to strong Hindu influence Saman Viharaya Could not be completed. After 40 years King Rajsinghe held the Saman Dewala Perahera.
Lord Buddhas sacred Tooth Relic was kept hidden in Kurahan stone in the Delgamuwa Temple in Kuruwita, in protection of Portuguese invasion. Yet midst great threat and danger the Dlada Perahera was held and the sacred Tooth Relic brought in procession from Delgamuwa Temple to Saman Dewalaya. This ceremony took place Continuously from eleven years which is recorded as a great signifieant religious and historical happening. Later the sacred Tooth Relic was safely removed to Kandy and kept in the Dalada Maligawa. symbalize This event by hiving a special Dalada Perahera in the procession held annually.
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