Episode 36 – Somavathiya National Park

Somavathiya National Park, is located centrally bordeing the Kaudulla National Park, Flood plain Valley National Park and Trikonamadu National Park while surrounding the historical Somavathiya sacred site.Somavathiya National Park with an area of 37645 hectares located in Trincomalee and PolonnaruwaDistricts, was upgraded to a National Park on September 02, 1986.

While on the way from Dambulla via Habarana junction, it is possible to enter Somavathia National Park by traveling along Kantale road from Habarana junction towards Polonnaruva, turning from Minneriya town and via Higurakgoda.

Since there is no separate park headquarters for Somavathiya National Park, conservation work is carried out by the site beat offices at Kantale and Sungawila, and the area adjacent to Kawdulla National Park is supervised by Kawdulla National Park. The constant attention of the officers of Kawdulla National Park Headquarters as well as the officers of Midrigiriya Beat Office was directed towards Somavatiya National Park, because of its unique ecological importance and due to the fact that more attention had to be paid to curb unauthorized activities.

Therefore, as soon as I got some freedom, I and most of my staff were very keen to visit to Somavatiya National Park. Among them, officers including Wildlife Guard, Chatura Gunaratne and Wildlife Guards, Saminda, Indika, as well as Asitha, Nimal and Sanjeeva of the Civil Defense Force worked with great enthusiasm in this regard. Even though he is not alive now, field assistant Kekulandara must be appreciated for his efforts in the conservation of Somavathi.

Among the unique places of Somavathiya National Park, the Villu system in and around Beruwila area was the most interesting place for all of us. From theKawdulla Park headquarters, through the park to Madrigiriya, and from there towards Somavathiya, meet the Ali Oluwa junction. It may have been given that name because a skull of a dead wild elephant was placed in the middle of the junction. We all used to stop the vehicle and walk from there as a vehicle could not travel on the very difficult and narrow road.Somavathiya National Park, full of streams, wild animals, and forests along the Mahaweli River, is one of the most interesting places among the forests I have walked.

About 12 years ago, when I came to work in Kawdulla National Park, the first patrol in Somawathiya National Park was planned shortly, because of the desire to walk in Somawathiya National Park rather than to investigate illegal activities.

After lunch that day, as previously planned, our group left for Somavathia with the necessary supplies in cab PA-2058 from Kawdulla Park Headquarters via Medrigiriya. Entering Somavathiyatired of walking, we came across a big dilapidated two-storied bungalow in the Beruwila area, which seemed like a living example of a haunted old bungalow that we had created in our minds when we were children.

As planned it was a great relief for us,as we were looking for a place to spend the night before the fall of darkness. As we peered into it, a stout elderly man with grown hair and a beard got up from where he was sitting and took a step forward towards us with a somewhat timid demeanor. It only took him a moment to recognize us. It might be because the wildlife officers were a familiar group of people he met frequently in his life.

“Are there any elephants around here?” we started the conversation.

“Yes sir, stay here today, you can’t go beyond here, there are elephants.”

He replied. We all sat down on the wall in the room on the lower floor of the building which was covered with moss. We gave him a portion of the bread that had been taken for dinner while resting, and prepared to share the rest between us. Because there was no way to cook dinner. But the smell of fish broth spread. Our guest served some of the fresh water fish that was cooking on the fireplace and entertained us. We had the opportunity to taste a piece of bread with hot fish gravy. It was a surprise because we did not expect such treats at this time.

“This is the place where former Prime Minister D.S Senanayake stayed when he visits here at that time”

He resumed speaking. We did not stop him from continuing the story and the darkness closed in on all sides and we did not hear any other sound except the sounds of the wild animals and his voice.

“Sir, my name is Victor. I used to kill animals. At that time my job was hunting. But now I am not doing those sinful acts. One day I was caught by wildlife officials while killing an animal. That gentleman is like a god. When his junior officer tried to hit me, he did not let him to hit me. I was advised not to engage in such activities.  I have not killed animals since then. I don’t even think about them now.”

He continued. “The only thing we do now is catch fish. All of us who were attracted to his interesting stories spent that night in that deserted bungalow. The next day, after washing our face in a well near the abandoned bungalow, when we got ready to start our scenic tour and patrol, Victor said goodbye to us and left for his fishing job, causing a bit of a sad feeling in all of us.

One night after about a week, I received a call from an unknown number, and I was surprised because it was Victor’s voice. After that Victor called me frequently and it was not difficult to know that most of them were during his drunken nights. In the meantime, he did not forget to share with me his illnesses, needs as well as interesting experiences. A few months later, he made a phone call and said that what was said in Beruwila that day touched his heart and that he had left the fishing job and turned to farming.

Although, I didnot call him, he used to talk on the phone continuously for years. It might be because he understood that I was the happiest because of his change. As time goes by, I still donot know why I havenot received phone calls from him for about four years.

However, on my first appointment, Victor, who I met as a guest, was impressed by the fact that he stopped killing animals completely because of the wildlife officials. This is how the memory of him was marked in my mind.