MORNING SIDE: HIMIDIRI PEDESA

A traveler who proceeds from Rakwana to Morning Side can confront lots of attractions that cannot be seen anywhere else in the Island. The track that leads from Rakwana to Sooriyakanda is a fascinating mountaineering. Ten bends that would draw parallel to 18 elbow bends, which can be confronted on the way to Mahiyangana, can be faced in the journey from Rakwana to Sooriyakanda.

The forested Sinharaja wilderness sanctuary can be eyed at Sooriyakanda. Morning Side estate is located in a short distance from Sooriyakanda Bazaar in Rakwana-Deniyaya route. There is only about 7 km from the junction that turns to Buluthota pass to Morning Side.

Not even a sign of the dawning sun that splits aurora in the eastern sky. The cataract of mist is thickly spread. Clouds of airy dew creep in. Vicinity is damp. Though a meagre light is scattered with sunrise, the act is incomprehensible.

This charming world which is to be uncovered along gorge proceeds through slops and forests veiled with a damp haze of mist is established away from human settlements not to make the place polluted by human touch.

It is said that this valley was a tea estate of white masters in the colonial era though seemingly it is encircled by the peeks of Rakwana range of mountains namely Iththekanda, Buthkanda, Ilumbakanda, and Sooriyakanda entirely blocking the human contact.

This place has been accordingly entitled as “Morning Side” considering the eco-conditions of the milieu. In present this estate is abundant in both tea and cardamom plantation. Also there is a bangle that seems to be owned by white masters.

This access road which proceeds through an abundant vegetation across the steeply precipice from Sooriyakanda town is likely to appall strangers who enter the estate along this path. The gloomy, cloudy and rainy weather and thick unclear haze enhances the consternation.

One border of this resort which is devoid of wilds’ chivy or human voices is Sinharaja forest. The residency of functionaries of the forest conservation that is visible far from the precipice which can be confronted after a long journey through the cluster of greenery brings consolation into the mind of aghast. This upstairs residency that is glamorously bricked in a beautiful valley is a man-made attractive in a field of nature.

An unclear view of an isolated small habitation and a compassed tea plantation in the middle of the forest can be sighted when passing through the residency. That is the Elysium called “Morning Side” which evinces the splendor of morning.

This oasis can be reached only by a four-wheel vehicle or a canter. Morning Side was a part of Sinharaja forest during the by gone days but under the foreign invasions later it has been victimized by plantation culture.

With the deportation of colonial invaders local cultivators has started vegetable plantation too besides tea plantation in the terrain. Thus, deforested section remains a waste land even today. Afforested lands are used for cardamom plantations. Several areas in Morning Side and Thangamale plains that span over 8,000 acres have been victimized by cardamom cultivation.

Morning Side which contains with a natural pool of cold water streams through vegetation is replete with pure water and ventilation due to its location based in a tropical rain forest. When walking along the gorges possessed of leeches, numerous species of fauna and flora endemic in Sri Lanka can be figured out in this forest.

The hilly virgin eco-region which possesses a climate equal to Nuwara Eliya area is encircled in every direction by Rakwana chain of mountains. The commonest mammals like rabbit, wild boar, leopard, samber and chipmunk can be seen banging around through hazy aurora of rising sun. Gigantic flora that can be meet at Sinharaja forest and trees like Keena, sour guava, Modol, Diyapara and Badulla are seen through the cardamom plantation.