Belilena is a very large cave, in which the 12,000-year-old skeletal remains of the prehistoric ‘Balangoda man’ (Homesepiens Balangodensis) have been found. In order to reach the cave, you have to walk through the jungle, close to the Inoya estate (approx. 8 km from Kitulgala itself). Located 2000 feet above sea level, the Belilena Cave lies amidst picturesque environs close to Kitulagala. Recent archaeological excavations conducted at the cave have unearthed several fossils believed to be more than 32,000 years old. The part of the cave beyond the lake that fills it a short way from its mouth still remains unexplored to this day. This Huge Cave has been home to the prehistoric ‘Balangoda Man’ (Homo sapiens balangodensis) where 16,000-year-old skeletal remains have been found. Fa Hien-Lena has yielded the earliest evidence (at ca. 37,000 BP) of the ‘Balangoda Man’ followed by Batadomba-Lena at 31,000 and 18,000 BP. These caves have also yielded other artifacts such as prehistoric tools belonging to the 30,000 BP. Batadomba-Lena caves have yielded tools going back to 31,000 BP. These are important findings to the whole of Asia as these tools are considered to have first originated in Europe around 12,000 BP. The Homo sapiens balangodensis or the Balangoda Man refers to hominins from Sri Lanka’s late Quaternary period. The earliest evidence of Balangoda Man from archaeological sequences at caves and other sites dates back to 38,000 BP, and from excavated skeletal remains to 30,000 BP, which is also the earliest reliably dated record of anatomically modern humans in South Asia. Cultural remains discovered alongside the skeletal fragments include geometric microliths dating to 28,500 BP, which together with some sites in Africa is the earliest record of such stone tools. Other discoveries include various plants and animals that are thought to have formed part of their diet, e.g. wild banana, breadfruit, and fish bones and articles that were used as personal ornaments such as shell pendants and shark beads, indicating occasional contact with the coast around 40 km away. The Balangoda Man is estimated to have had thick skulls, prominent supraorbital ridges, depressed noses, heavy jaws, short necks, and conspicuously large teeth. Metrical and morphometric features of skeletal fragments extracted from cave sites that were occupied during different periods have indicated a rare biological affinity over a time frame of roughly 16,000 years, and the likelihood of a biological continuum to the present-day Vedda indigenous people. This is not surprising given the relative geographical isolation of the island until the fifth century BC when settlers arrived from the Indian mainland. Veddas are therefore relevant to the question of the degree of the relative isolation of ancient and modern Homo sapiens in Sri Lanka from populations of southern India.

Had an unplanned visit to Belilena on my way to Aberdeen fall. Few minutes walk from the main road. Have few remaining of an old temple. Next to the cave is a beautiful waterfall. Behind the water fall is another huge cave. Most people might miss this if not go behind the cave. May not need to plan a trip here but can drop by when you are heading to kithulgala. Need archaeological dept attention on this place. Worth the visit.

A place of the balangoda man who was lived 40000 years back from today. Very ancient and archeaological place which was located near to kithulgala town. Mainly the last turn you get from A7 main road to the cave, it may difficult to get access because of the rough road with more than cracks. Its better you may go motor bike or jeeps or such kind vehicles. End of the narrow road you can find a dilapidated culvert.so thats the end of your vehicle path.now you take more time to climb by your legs.You can reach the destination in about 15 minutes. Not crowded place and you can enjoy your own way.No more disturbing. Feel the nature and please dont destroy and polute it.. have a good time with a balangida man. 😁😁😁😁

Accessible by car up to a certain point and a small hike follows (Be careful not to slip on the way). The cave and waterfall were beautiful. You could warily spend a few hours there in peace. Make sure to visit when there is no heavy rainfall which affects the volume of water at the falls.

We went in the month of March. Which is supposed do be dry season hence no water flowing over caves. The best part was drive to the cave. We took bikes so we enjoyed it. Otherwise only other viable access was tuk tuk, which would have not been a good experience. The roads were all broken and bumpy... We lost our way several times before we could actually reach. There were no sign boards. There were hardly any tourists or locals.

Good place to visit. Short hike from Road to the cave through jungle. This place was known for the artifacts of prehistoric human. Also been a Buddhist Monastery. Today not very well preserved. On a rainy day a small waterfall emerges from the other side of the cave. Surrounding is lush and beautiful on the rainy season.

Belilena cave is an ancient place which is well known. The location is clearly shown in the maps. However, you cannot take this route with a normal vehicle. Need a high ground clearance. Once you get close, you can park the car on the closest village and take a 15 minute walk. Totally worth it.

Nice place to visit.. This place has the prehistoric value where lot of evidences(stone tools,human remains etc) were recovered which reveals a history more than 40 000 years back. Yet the sanitary facilities are not developed though.. But not a hectic walk from the last point where you stop the vehicle...

Around 2 Km from kitulgala filling station on your left you will see a sign board “palm stone retreat” turn and go continue for 4 km. Some parts of this road are narrow and damaged. There is no proper parking place. But you can go very close enough to the destination and after that place road is sunk From that point there will be slippery 15 minutes walk . You have to climb up. There are toilets but not useable . No water not cleaned for ages. a historic place but with less information After the main cave on your right there is another cave which you can go little in. Bit dark and path is slippery

Belilena is a large cave in Sri Lanka, located 8 km (5.0 mi) from the town of Kitulgala. Evidence of prehistoric human presence as early as 32,000 years ago was recorded at the site. This place difficult to access by light vehicle due road conditions.recommended to hire the off road vehicle. Best place to visit

This is a wonderful place situated in Kithulgala area that you must visit. The road is bit narrow and broken in some places, but can go buy a car (with a reasonable ground clearance). The final 500 meter drive is bit challenging and hence I parked the car at last junction and walked. The road ends and there is a footpath with rock steps. Lot of leaches are there and need to have precautions or some solutions against them. But finally once you reached there wow…. What a different location. There are two fairly large caves with some ruins. No tickets needed. You can use a three wheeler if you are not sure of driving. The location directions given by Google map is correct. Again, difficult to reach. But a must go location. Pls don’t harm the environment.

No proper route or guiding signs , but the cave is beautiful with a waterfall, 8 km inside from Kithulgala, no crowd, nice place to enjoy the forest

Cool to visit a place where people have luced for tens of thousands of years. Quite easy to find but the road is rough. Clumb is steep on slippery stone stairs. Leeches. Worth the effort - beautiful and peaceful.

It was very hard to visit this place due to the very bad road conditions and very lack of information. I had visited very near but not achieved, if your visiting here, use a vehical with more ground clearense.