Notes on the Geography of Sri Lanka: Gurugal OyaThe Gurugal Oya flows from Loolecondera northeastward toward the Mahaweli. Like the Talatu Oya and Atabage Oya, it supports a tiny pocket of very productive farmland. Make default image size smaller ![]() The road descends a long grade before passing the first rank of terraces. ![]() We've timed our arrival for the annual task of mudding the paddies. ![]() The terrace walls must be weeded and trimmed. ![]() A gang at work. ![]() Trimming the terrace bund. ![]() A nearby set of terraces has yet to be cleaned up. ![]() Finally, a glimpse of the valley, with a couple of threshing floors in view. ![]() The limits of cultivable land are determined by the elevation of the irrigation canals running on both sides of the valley. ![]() Along the axis of the valley, the tiny Gurugal Oya itself. ![]() Many of the paddies are absurdly small, yet some of the villagers are reasonably prosperous, perhaps (even likely) because they or family members are earning money outside the valley. ![]() The harvest occurs at different dates in different parts of the valley. Here, women winnow unhusked paddy. ![]() Downstream a few hundred yards, another group of fields is not yet ready for harvest. |
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