| Despite controversies on the rights of the veddas, the | | | | away is the language and the way they behave and |
| Maduru Oya National Park has been declared as a | | | | reveal their body language. |
| vedda reservation site. With a history so rich and | | | | Around 7km east from Hasalaka, the bustling town of |
| possibly the only connection Sri Lankans have to their | | | | Mahiyangana is recorded in the great chronicle of Sri |
| ancestors, the well-being of the veddas should be | | | | Lanka as the first of the three places in Sri Lanka |
| taken into consideration. It's true, the veddas have | | | | which the Buddha visited. The others are Kelaniya |
| means of living and their children are being educated in | | | | Royal Temple and Sri Pada (Adam's Peak). Following |
| a vedda school while some veddas have graduated | | | | the launch of the greatest modern irrigation scheme of |
| to being business people and talking on mobile phones. | | | | Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli Ganga (Mahaweli River) |
| However, the veddas do like it when tourists and | | | | Scheme, the town was laid out to serve the new |
| domestic travelers visit them. Having a different | | | | irrigation districts. |
| language where one might hear names like 'Kekuli' and | | | | Opposite the temple, north of Kandy Road, six statues |
| 'Kekuli-pojji', it is good to know that history is still | | | | of Sinhalese leaders have been erected: three ancient |
| preserved in places like Dolagahawela, Muthugalwela | | | | kings and two of modern stalwarts of the nation |
| passing Mahiyangana. | | | | namely king Devanampiyatissa, King Dutugamunu of |
| You can even see a vedda Museum where ancient | | | | Ruhuna, King Parakramabahu the great, King Kirti Sri |
| artifacts and African-like paintings grace its mud walls. | | | | Rajasinghe, the first Prime Minister of Ceylon Rt. |
| The vegetable dyes used to create the paintings are | | | | Honourable Don Stephen Senanayake. Along the way, |
| evident since they are very soft in colour with dark | | | | you'll witness the glory and beauty of the Mahiyangana |
| tones right around. Don't be scared if the veddas | | | | Raja maha Vihara Stupa which is believed to be the |
| themselves make an appearance, they dance and | | | | spot where the Buddha preached. Enshrined in the |
| sing on your request and if you're a local, Rs. 100 is | | | | stupa is a lock of blue-black hair of Buddha and a relic |
| more than enough to make them happy. The bones | | | | of the Buddha's collarbone. |
| and skulls of the animals in the museum look like the | | | | The area is very attractive as the park with the |
| work of taxidermy, but the horns really give you | | | | Dagoba is well-maintained with beautiful scenery |
| something to think about. | | | | overlooking the far bank of the Mahaweli. |
| The surroundings of the museum are for display with | | | | Also, the Sorabora Wewa where the Sorabora |
| tree-houses and thatched roof tied together with | | | | rainwater reservoir gushes with crystal clear water is |
| coconut leaves. The reservation site is like a village in | | | | on the outskirts of Mahiyangana on the road to Bibile. |
| the jungle; so be careful if animals pop into greet you. | | | | According to the legend; a giant is said to have |
| The veddas do look like normal villagers as they wear | | | | created the dam. |
| sarongs and shirts but the only thing that gives them | | | | |