Lakshapana Falls

Lakshapana Falls, which at 126 metres are the 7th highest in Sri Lanka, are situated on the Maskeliya Oya. However, whereas the waters of the Maskeliya Oya once flowed copiously over the falls, the construction of a dam in recent decades has reduced the flow and muted the once thunderous roar. Nevertheless, this waterfall is still a magnificent sight. The sparkling waters of the Maskeliya Oya have to wend their way through many big boulders before gushing over a ledge and falling down a sheer rock face set amidst tall trees.

The traditional Sinhalese name for the Lakshapana Falls is Veddah hiti Ella, or The Falls Where the Veddah Lived. The modern name has several interpretations. It may be derived from the Sinhala lakshaya, which means 100,000 and pahana, which means stone. Alternatively, it may be derived from lakshana or beautiful, i.e. beautiful stone.