We; ‘Kele Group’ had conducted yet another successful trip to Wilpattu National Park [hereafter WNP]. The group was housed at ‘Marandamaduwa’ circuit bungalow from 27th February to 2nd March, 2020.
Visitors could see the Villus were full of water as water levels were very close to jungle patches. Heat was not a problem as upper level tree branches cover roads from direct sun rays.
There were several new comers with three young ‘fellas’ from same Collage. Roshan and wife from Galle was invited by Lakshman and ‘Kulta’ [Kularathne] and his sister-in-law was invited by Salinda. Mohan and his son Gaveen and Savindra was invited by yours truly, and where, Savi is son of yours truly. Malith invited his beloved Anuja and their son Rasindu. Kithsiri of water board fame was invited by . Asela who was an old member but did not tour with us for some time , was invited by Salinda.
Later, Rasindu did some antics and driven to instant popularity but I will keep the details for future.
One could see a juvenile sambur had taken refuge at Maradanmadu bungalow with two ‘rilavas’. Sambur was adorable at first and everybody started taking ‘phone photos’ and selfies but soon the bungalow staff [Amila] informed that it was a nuisance and seeking food. That warning was later confirmed when sambur broke one or two glasses on table reaching for half eaten sandwich. Rilavas were prepared to put more dangerous acts and instantly they declared war with human intruders. As I can remember it was innocent Malith who was checking his sleeping chambers [for next three nights] came under sudden attack by two rilava terrorists. The duo came top of hand rail and was ready to enter the same sleeping chamber with Malith. When Malith challenged the terrorist duo, they became aggressive. Fortunately, by this time noises reached downstairs and handful of ‘KG’ rear guard advanced to trouble spot with couple of brooms and animal intruders were chased away.
these crocs fear sambur, whenever crocs see sambur coming to lake, they run
But the story did not finish at this point. The same terrorist duo attacked our breakfast table in the following morning with lightning speed. Nobody, including more experienced Amila the bungalow keeper envisaged this attack. In a single file, both terrorists entered restaurant. Seeing this all most all visitors frozen with fear and three young bucks from City Collage [who had seen all Terminator, Rambo and Autobot movies] ran for cover. Two rilvas grabbed several slizes of bread [some say 4 slizes each and some 5] from main breakfast table and ran off.
First day afternoon trip was yet another sleepy affair. We were instructed not to drink water but cool beer due to ‘covid-9’ virus and after heavy lunch most of us were sleepy. We saw some eagles, dear and some land monitors. One of our heroes to be; Rasindu was probably feeling bored started picking leaves and keeping his hands [mainly right hand] outside of moving, open jeep. Two or three persons warned him against this dangerous practice but all notices were ignored. There was a single cracking sound and several people heard this including vigilant driver. Rasindu gave sharp cry and started crying holding his hand. Vehicle was stopped and subsequently got front vehicle to stop too. Asela who is a practitioner of one of noblest profession in the world came in to the rescue of the child. He felt that there is a deformity in straight bone, just before wrist and did first aid made a sling to keep hand still. Later Rasindu’s parents were informed as they were in the leading vehicle. All proceeded to the bungalow and one jeep went out of WNP with tracker, Asela, Rasindu and his parents. Later we got to know that the party went to Anuradapura base hospital and saw an orthopedic surgeon and the deformity corrected and a plaster was done to stabilize hand. It was close to midnight when they arrive at last.
We come back to the story where all came to the bungalow, again and start from there. After usual bathing and adorning colorful dresses rest of the party gathered for first dinner.
It was Savindra’s 14th b’day and surprised party and cake was organized by Salinda, Malkanthi and Savindra’s father; yours truly. As a friend, only Gaveen could attend the party sans Rasindu.
Second day; 28th February, 2020, we found that the accident party returned last night and everybody wanted to know details. As usual Salinda arranged new comers to visit ‘Kudiramalei Point’ and two vehicles went on that trip. One vehicle went on a usual morning excursion with Asela, Sarath Athuruliya, Sarath Guruge, Kithsiri and yours truly. People who went were mainly shutterbugs with SLR cameras and some with fairly long lenses.
As I can remember Malith waited at bungalow and Anuja went to Kudiramale on one of the vehicles. Following are some of the eagles’ images by yours truly.
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More photographs are coming in future.
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KG trip to Maradanmaduwa, Wilpattu; 27th February, 2020 We; ‘Kele Group’ had conducted yet another successful trip to Wilpattu National Park . The group was housed at ‘Marandamaduwa’ circuit bungalow from 27th February to 2nd March, 2020.
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