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On the great Southern road just before you reach Ambalanthota the name board Ussangoda
will no doubt attract your attention. The road turns seawards and after a few minutes
drive and a climb uphill you reach a peculiar landscape shrouded in mystery and
yet to be properly explored.
The landscape that greets you is weird and wonderful. The vast land that extends
on all sides has hardly any tall trees and is covered by a short grass or moss.
In some places well defined circular islands of vegetation can be seen But these
do not include any tall trees. The earth is of a dark red colour, giving the landscape
a Martian look and the area is popularly believed to be bestowed with strange and
mystical powers. Many are the legends and stories told of it.
It is believed by some that anciently a meteoroid had fallen here, which explains
the barren nature of the soil and the peculiar vegetation growth patterns.
According to a man living in the vicinity this peculiar land attracts many small
wild animals and a variety of birds and is also a refuge for rare medicinal plants
From here a track also leads to the sea coast and suddenly you find yourself standing
at the edge of a cliff of red earth looking down over miles of beach and the sea
with its deep turquoise waters, boisterous blue waves and frothy white foam. A charming
picture of freedom that is nature at its best.
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