Bopath Ella Falls

A shapely 30 m waterfall near Kuruwita whose cascade narrows into the form of a sacred bo (fig) leaf.

Overview

Bopath Ella is one of Sri Lanka's most distinctive waterfalls, taking its name from its outline, which begins wide and tapers to a point much like the leaf of the sacred bo (fig) tree. Fed by the Kuru Ganga, a tributary of the Kalu Ganga, it drops about 30 m into a pool in a village near Kuruwita, northwest of Ratnapura. It is an easy, popular stop reached by a short walk past small shops, though swimming can be dangerous and is best avoided.

History

The falls have long been a local landmark on the Kuru Ganga and, like many wet-zone cascades, carry their own folklore of a maiden said to haunt the pool. The distinctive bo-leaf shape gives the falls both their name and their popularity with visitors and photographers.