Yatawatta Biso Ella - waterfalls of Selagama Tea Estate

Yatawatta Biso Ella is a waterfall is not far from the ticket counter of Hulaganga Mini World's End in Selagama Estate in Matale District. From the ticket counter, a 350 m long dirt road, branching off at the Selagama Estate School, ends at the Selagama Estate Hindu Temple. From there, a 200 m long footpath leads to the escarpment of the Yatawatta Biso Falls, not to be confused with Rotumba Biso Ella (Bisodola Falls) in Matara District in the deep south of Sri Lanka.

The waterfalls near Hulangala Mini World's End are named either "Yatawatta Biso Ella" after the Divisional Secretariat or "Selagama Biso Ella" after the Selagama Tea Estate. Selagama village is much further downhill, in only 1 km distance from the waterfalls, as the crow flies, but 4 km by road. The altitude of the village is more than 150 m below that of the top of  the waterfall. There is no direct route from the village of Selagama to the top of the cliff, because the escarpment is too wide. But it's only from the village and not from the Selagama Tea Estate that the foot of the waterfall can be reached.

Coming from Selagama Tea Estate, visitors reach the escarpment of Biso Ella. A small waterfall of only 4 m in height can be seen here, which is quite idyllic, because it falls from an overhanging cliff, this forming a rock shelter. The small cave behind the veil of the waterfall can be reached from both sides. What can not be seen, is the main waterfall which drops from the edge of the said escarpment. The almost vertical cliff is more than 100 m high, which means that the Biso falls are actually among the top 20 highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka, though they are rarely listed in charts of Sri Lankan waterfalls. After dry periods, Yatawatta Biso Ella carries not much water and is less amazing.

But be aware, the rocks can be slippery especially after rainfalls. In this respect, the escarpment is even more dangerous than the nearby Hulangala Mini World's End. However, even children can visit the cave below the small upper cascade, as it is far enough away from the cliff of the main waterfall.

A visit of Yatawatta Biso Ella is usually combined with a hike to the said other escarpment, the Mini World's End of the Hunangala mountain, which is in 3 km distance.