Maduru Oya (Part I)
That Carpet laid out through the Maduru Oya National Park, is Serendipitoius driving pleasure, just don’t drive fast, lest you miss much.
If only you traveled on this stretch, smoother than any you find in Colombo, will you understand its incongruity. You stumble upon this smooth surface, as you enter. The road is a main road through the Park. The smooth part begins at the entrance, at the beat office, when it should be the other way round. That is if you come from Aralaganwila, going South. It is brilliantly carpeted for 25+km till you reach Maha Oya Junction, a few kilometers further on, when you pass a sign to hot springs nearby where you can break journey refresh, or bathe. On a journey to Batticaloa or Ampara you can go on this road and leave 60 minutes to enjoy the drive. A moment of anticipation perhaps. With rains, the growth of lantana and nonnatives over the road require trimming to restore its majesty. Few vehicles travel down this stretch during the day, and fewer still at night, not knowing what encounters of the WILD you may have. Buffaloes in their hundreds obstruct the roads at night on their journey out. Drive slowly.
Those on motorbikes, should follow large vehicles for security, especially at night, and the foolhardy during the day, race ahead at speed, completely negating the respect for the drive through a National Park. In any case an amble at a reasonable pace, gives the observer a chance at discovering the delights from unusual rock formations that look different depending on the angle from which they are viewed, and magnificent scenery of lakes and mountains.
There is even a place of worship in full view, up on a hill taking advantage of a crevice in the rock with enough space for a statue and dagoba to be protected from the elements. One can stop the vehicle and walk up to the temple, though you should not get out of the vehicle in any other place inside the park.
It is unusual to have street signs inside the park, but many are now beyond use, due to elephants having their way with them, looking at them unkindly, perhaps only as a back scratcher! I of course am waiting ‘like waiting for Godot’ for the pot holed stretch from Aralaganwila to the entrance to be carpeted, as the road from Manampitiya to Aralaganwila is being widened and resurfaced at present.
The back drop is of hills with wide plains reaching out to them, where you can spot animals in waterholes or by the side of the road. There has not been a time I have traveled on this road where no Elephants were present. This road reminds me of long straight roads one usually encounters in the USA where the vegetation is barren but the road and hills in the background are 
similar in formation. Anyone can go on this stretch, no tickets, no fees, just surprises in store, as they differ each time you go. Clicks of Elephants await…... All photos were taken from inside the car, so anyone can enjoy this, out for a drive in the Country!
R.H
