Monsoon arrival in KUMANA

Uvindu ILLEPERUMA reporting from Panama, Ampara

These are the days the Eastern part of Sri Lanka is blessed with the monsoon rains - the only rain the Eastern part gets for the whole year.

The flat land layered with the dust settled during the period due to lack of rains turns into mud mixed with clay. Road and the waysides which have witnessed the sole characteristics of dry weather conditions have turned into reservoirs of waters. The whole region has shown the signs of blossoming thanks to the rain drops kissing the land which is weary with the rays of the scorching rains.

Most of you would opine this is not the best time to visit the Eastern part of Sri Lanka due to the continuous rains which brings a chilly and humid weather.

But this is the time to visit if you wish to cherish some unforgettable and adventurous experience.

Just passing Ampara we thought to investigate into how nature enjoys the rainy weather and how its shareholder - animals and birds - have changed their living styles. So we made our way to Kumana which is recognized as the most attractive part where birds reign.

Making our way towards Pottuvil from Ampara we were making our way to Panama from where the entrance to Kumana National Park is located.

Seeing our vehicle people who were coming from Panama told us it is in vain to get into Kumana because the road from Panama is irreparably damaged due to the floods caused by heavy rains. But we could not give up our adventure just to the rainy weather and the news that the road is impassable.

So, we proceeded to Kumana against all odds perceived to be challenging us ahead.

Yes, the road was irreparably damaged. But we could find a four wheel cab to go there.

Enjoying the vacation

There were four places damaged by the heavy floods. The damaged road did not trouble the can anyway.

When we get there Wild Life Officers waiting for us welcomed us since they were bothering about how we could get there due to the impassable road.

There was a doubt that we could not reap the benefits of our hither to adventurous tour due to continuous rains. According to the wild Life Officers, animals hardly come to light during rains and the birds also would not come. But we were adamant to go and see what is happening during the rainy season in an animal kingdom.

Somehow the Wild Life Officers were also very much optimistic to go on the trip. The invincible sprit within us to visit jungle friends was quite successful from the beginning. Lot of animals and birds could be seen.

We felt as if they were waiting for us. They were quite helpful to our cameras and their positive conducts contributed for our investigations also.

Elephants were quite happy with the rains. So were the birds. But leopard hates rains. So do the wild buffaloes.

The reason why the buffalo does not like rain is because it has to put its ears always down to eschew rainwater drops going into its ears. How funny their stories are during the rainy season.

Crocodiles were enjoying the season since they got meadows filled with water where they can have a swim. Migrant birds are now coming to Kumana due to the reason that the frosty December in their countries are unbearable to them.

On the other hand, they have already selected Kumana for their breeding purposes.

Nowadays they are nesting in the Kumana lagoon which is located quite close to the thick forest and the eastern coast.

The environment will be quite conducive by March and the rains will be scaled down by then.

Anyway we have witnessed how nature is getting ready for the next season where an influx of tourists will reach Kumana to enjoy nature's wonders. Visit Kumana when the season comes. This is to inform Kumana is being dressed for the coming eve.

[Development]

A large scale development project is coming up with the Kumana National Park. Roads are renovated and eligible technology was used to construct bridges.

Within the park some circuit bungalows are coming up giving space for nature lovers to stay in the park to witness what really nature is. The coming season would be a remarkable for Kumana since the visitors will enjoy a new difference with the renewing nature there and the physical constructions which are in the pipeline for the betterment of the local and foreign tourists.