Last Christmas, my family members organised a trip to the Seethawaka wet zone botanical garden in the Colombo district. It was a charming day out.
It is difficult to find a place full of green like this near Colombo. From Colombo you have to drive along the Avissawella Road passing Watareka, Padukka and Labugama up to Avissawella to reach this place which is situated near the Puwakpitiya-Thummodara road in Illukowita. This place was initially used for tea and rubber plantations but most of the the plantations were abandoned.
The land was taken for the construction of this botanical garden and it was opened to the public in 2014. The purpose of this park is to conserve threatened wet zone endemic plants for future generations. This garden contains many special features. It is 105 acres in extent. It includes a calm and quiet environment with beautiful surroundings.
This garden has a beautiful stream that flows through the garden and on which we can go for boat rides.
This stream nourishes the many wet zone plants in the garden. The Indikada Mukalana Forest Reserve is situated near the Seethawaka botanical garden.
This natural garden includes many kumbuk trees. The people who look after the garden has created a path that directs you to the summit of the park. It open from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. I recommend this as an ideal place for a wonderful day out.
Yashodhara Paranagama
Grade 8 H
Musaeus College
Colombo 7