Mahapelessa (Madunagala) Hot springs
Madunagala Hot Water Springs are located amidst vast paddy fields between Sooriyawewa and Ridiyagama. Today, this hot water well is a popular destination for pilgrims visiting the South. The spring was first discovered by Leonard Woolf, Assistant Government Agent of Hambanthota (1908-11), who recorded his journey through wild animal-infested jungles and boat rides to reach the hot spring, where he took samples for analysis.
The spring was rediscovered in the early 1960s with the Uda Walawe development project when the areas under the Walawe Basin were converted into vast agricultural land. Sooriyawewa, about 15 km east of Embilipitiya, became the central hub of the left bank region of the Uda Walawe reservoir.
In the 1970s, several elephant calf deaths were reported from falling into the well during dry seasons when most water sources dried up, and baby elephants trying to quench their thirst from the Hot Spring fell in. The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka mad...
The spring was rediscovered in the early 1960s with the Uda Walawe development project when the areas under the Walawe Basin were converted into vast agricultural land. Sooriyawewa, about 15 km east of Embilipitiya, became the central hub of the left bank region of the Uda Walawe reservoir.
In the 1970s, several elephant calf deaths were reported from falling into the well during dry seasons when most water sources dried up, and baby elephants trying to quench their thirst from the Hot Spring fell in. The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka mad...
