Kitulgala: A Nature Lover's Paradise in Sri Lanka

• Helloහෙලෝ
  [hello]
• Goodbyeවෙස්ටියාය
  [wes'tiyaya]
• Yesඔව්
  [ow]
• Noනෑ
  [nā]
• Please/You're welcomeකරනවා/ආයුබෝවන්
  [karana vā/ayubowan]
• Thank youඔබේ ඉගෙනගන්න
  [obē igenaganna]
• Excuse me/Sorryකුමාරතුරු/කුමාරතුරු
  [kumāraturu/kumāraturu]
• How are you?ඔයා කොළේ වෙනවා?
  [ōyā kolē wēnavā?]
• Fine. And you?හොදේ. ඔයා?
  [hodē. ōyā?]
• Do you speak English?ඔයා ඉංග්‍රීසි කතා කරයිද?
  [ōyā iṁgrīsi kathā karayida?]
• I don't understandමම අධිනවාද?
  [mama adinavāda?]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseමම මෙනු බලනවා, කරුණාවෙන්
  [mama mēnu balanavā, karunāwan]
• I don't eat meatමම මස් කෑම කරනවානම්
  [mama mas kāma karanavānam]
• Cheers!සුභ රාතුවක්!
  [subha rāthuwak]
• I would like to pay, pleaseමම ගෙවනවාද, කරුණාවෙන්
  [mama gewanavāda, karunāwan]

• Help!උකෙලපා
  [ukēlapā]
• Go away!ඉවත්කිරී
  [iwathkiri]
• Call the Police!පොලිස් අපි ආවට
  [polis api āwata]
• Call a doctor!වෛරස් අපි ආවට
  [vāras api āwata]
• I'm lostමම නැහැ
  [mama nēha]
• I'm illමම අයෝයියා
  [mama ayyāyā]

• I'd like to buy...මම මිලදීගත් කරනවා...
  [mama midigata karanavā...]
• I'm just lookingමම දැක්කාද එයාට
  [mama dēkkada eyāta]
• How much is it?එය කොහෙද?
  [eya koheda?]
• That's too expensiveඑය ඉක්මන් දැන්ගෙය
  [eya ikman dānagēya]
• Can you lower the price?මම මිලදීගත් කරනවා...
  [mama midigata karānam...]

• What time is it?දිනපෙරෙන් කුලු කාලය කොයි?
  [dinaperen kulukālaya koyi?]
• It's one o'clockඑක් කුලු වෙත
  [eka kuluveta]
• Half past (10)දෙක් අයෝයිවල
  [dēk ayyōyiwa]
• Morningඋදරකාරයා
  [udarakāraya]
• Afternoonඅපදරේ
  [apadarē]
• Eveningඅසහන්වරයා
  [asahanvaraya]
• Yesterdayඊළඟ
  [īlaga]
• Todayඅද
  [ada]
• Tomorrowහෙදය
  [hedaya]
• 1එක
  [eka]
• 2දෙක
  [dēka]
• 3තුන
  [thuna]
• 4හතර
  [hathara]
• 5පහ
  [paha]
• 6හය
  [haya]
• 7හත
  [hatha]
• 8අට
  [ata]
• 9නය
  [naya]
• 10දහසය
  [dahasaya]

• Where's a/the...?හේතුවෙන් වෙත්තෙයද...?
  [hēthuwēn wettayada...?]
• What's the address?ලිපිනය කුලුකුමායද?
  [lipinaya kulukumāyada?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?මාප් එකෙන් මට පෙන්වනවාද?
  [māp ekēn mat penwanavāda?]
• When's the next (bus)?ඊලඟ කුලු වෙත?
  [īlaga kuluveta?]
• A ticket (to ....)ටිකට් (.... වෙතත්)
  [tikat (.... wettath)]

Kitulgala is home to some of the earliest human settlements in Sri Lanka. Archaeological excavations in the nearby Belilena Cave have uncovered evidence of human habitation dating back to the late Pleistocene era around 30,000 years ago. These early settlers were hunter-gatherers who relied on the rich biodiversity of the surrounding forests for survival.

During the British colonial period, Kitulgala became notable for its lush greenery and strategic location. The region's dense forests and proximity to the Kelani River made it an ideal spot for rubber plantations, which became a significant part of the local economy. The British influence is still visible in the architectural remnants and the layout of the plantations.

Kitulgala gained international fame as the filming location for the 1957 Academy Award-winning film 'The Bridge on the River Kwai.' Directed by David Lean, the movie's iconic bridge explosion scene was shot on the Kelani River near Kitulgala. Although the bridge was a temporary structure built for the film, the site remains a popular tourist attraction.

Kitulgala is situated in one of Sri Lanka's most biodiverse regions. It is part of the wet zone rainforest and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including many endemic species. The area's rich biodiversity has made it a hotspot for ecotourism, attracting nature enthusiasts and researchers alike. The Kelani River also offers opportunities for white-water rafting, making Kitulgala a popular destination for adventure tourism.

The cultural landscape of Kitulgala is a tapestry of Sinhalese traditions and customs. The local community celebrates various traditional festivals such as Sinhala and Tamil New Year and Vesak with great enthusiasm. Traditional dance forms, music, and rituals are an integral part of the cultural fabric, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich heritage of the region.

Kitulgala is located approximately 90 kilometers east of Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. The most convenient way to reach Kitulgala is by car or taxi, which takes around 2-3 hours from Colombo, depending on traffic. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Colombo's central bus station to Kitulgala, which is both economical and relatively frequent. The nearest train station is in Avissawella, from where you can take a bus or taxi to Kitulgala.

Within Kitulgala, transportation options are limited. Most tourists prefer to walk or hire bicycles to explore the small town and its surroundings. For longer trips, local tuk-tuks (three-wheelers) are available and offer a convenient mode of transport. Rental cars are also an option for those looking to explore the area at their own pace, though driving in Sri Lanka can be challenging due to varying road conditions.

The official currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). While major hotels and some restaurants accept credit cards, it is advisable to carry cash, especially when dealing with smaller establishments and local vendors. ATMs are available in Kitulgala, but it is recommended to withdraw sufficient cash in larger towns or cities before heading to more rural areas.

Kitulgala is generally a safe destination for tourists. However, it is always wise to take standard precautions such as avoiding isolated areas at night and keeping an eye on your belongings in crowded places. There are no specific high-crime areas targeting tourists in Kitulgala, but it is always best to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Be cautious around the Kelani River, especially during the rainy season, as water levels can rise rapidly, posing a risk.

In case of an emergency, dial 119 for police assistance or 110 for medical emergencies. Kitulgala has a small medical clinic for minor health issues, but more serious conditions may require a trip to a larger hospital in nearby towns such as Avissawella or Colombo. It is highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. Pharmacies are available in the town for over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions, such as removing shoes before entering a temple. Public Transport: Do be respectful and give up your seat to elderly passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a friendly smile and a slight bow. A handshake is also acceptable but not always expected. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don't refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Kitulgala like a local, visit the local markets where you can buy fresh produce and traditional Sri Lankan goods. Engage with locals, who are often friendly and willing to share stories about the town's history and culture. Don't miss out on the adventurous white-water rafting on the Kelani River, a popular activity among both locals and tourists. For a unique experience, explore the nearby Belilena Cave, which holds significant archaeological importance and offers a glimpse into prehistoric Sri Lanka.