The mysterious Wawulpane Limestone Cave

Wawulpane is located in Kolonna, Thamburugamuwa Grama Niladhari division in  Ratnapura district. The tributary of Thibolkatiya river the Halwintha Oya  flows across this village. The traveller who take the Ratnapura-Embilipitiya road have to turn right from Colombage Ara and need to walk along 5 miles to reach our main destination, the Wawulpane limestone cave. 

The Wawulpane limestone cave is considered the largest limestone cave in Sri Lanka. Not only that it is also considered the largest limestone cave in South Eastern Asia too. The cave is located in the western slop of Rakwana mountain range. 

This cave has been conquered by the bats and now the cave has become a habitat of bats.  The significant features of this cave was first noticed by the survey officer Mr.Silva  and its speciality was informed to Sabaragamuwa District Secretary. This caused to declare that the land of about 20 acres around the cave as a reserve. 

The entrance of the cave emerged from earth is similar to the mouth of a pre historic creature. The entrance to this mysterious world is divided  into two by a huge limestone pillar and its one part is 20 foot in width and the other one is 17 foot in width. The inner cave is about 70-80 foot in height and it runs of  about 1400 foot in underground. The underground cave consists of granite. 

It is not easy to walk inside the cave as it is slippery because of the moss on rocks and the bad smell of the defecate of bats. 

However It is also possible to reach to the other end of the cave by walking over it. If you decide to walk over the cave, there are two main things you can see.

• Kiwul diya ulpatha
• The start of the underground waterfall.

The kiwul diya ulpatha is a water fountain with hard water. It is mysteriously having hard water only in this fountain while the surrounding water streams are having soft water.

There is a waterfall with approximately 30 m height inside this cave. It is the only underground waterfall in Sri Lanka. The location where water goes inside the cave is visible when walking over the cave but it is not safe to get into the cave from that location. 

It is also possible to identify the fossils at this location. You have to reach to the opposite end of the cave to see those. The fossils of the corals are really impressive.

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