Galboda Ella

Galboda Falls
Galboda Falls
ගල්බොඩ ඇල්ල
Location	Galboda, Sri Lanka
Coordinates	6°47′04″N 80°42′22″E / 6.7844°N 80.7061°E
Total height	30 m (98 ft)
Number of drops	1
Total width	3 m (9.8 ft)–6 m (20 ft)

Galboda Falls(ගල්බොඩ ඇල්ල) is a waterfall in Sri Lanka. It is located by Nuwara Eliya District. Galboda is along the railway track of Colombo to Badulla. The environment is cool with much rain.

The waterfall is 30 m (98 ft) high, and the width ranges from between 3 m (9.8 ft)–6 m (20 ft), depending on the season. It is 2 km (1.2 mi) from the railway station. Since the area is close to Watawala, where the rainfall is high, the waterfall is ever young. Annual rainfall here exceeds 4500 mm [177 inches], 60% of the rain coming from the south-west monsoon. The dry season is January to February.

Derivation of name

The name of the fall (Galboda) means ‘fall adjoining the stone’. It derives from the large boulder situated at its foot.

Travel information

On the way to Galboda

The way to Galboda is by train and by road. There are four express trains from Colombo heading to Badulla and trains stop at Galboda Station. A bus operating from Nawalapitiya to Galboda.

Village life

Galboda is an isolated village located in between Nawalapitiya and Watawala, in the Colombo-Badulla, the upcountry railway. Since there is not a well-developed road system yet, the railway is the only source of transportation for the villagers and travellers.

Nature and wildlife

At certain times of the year, the water cascades in two streams. Growing in the surrounding woodland is a rare species of orchid and the vicinity is home to wildlife. Among them are 12 species of reptile and 4 are only found in Sri Lanka.