MATTI ARU TUFA STREAM

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A stream depositing calcareous tufa (travertine) which can be expected to be fed by a possibly enterable karst spring (exsurgence) rising from Miocene Jaffna Limestone. SITUATION: In the vicinity of Tiriyai (note 1), at the foot of the hill (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974:?, 1984: 119) called –>Pinnacle rock (note 2) and Vilatti Malai in Tamil (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974:?, 1984: 119) or is known as Vilatti Malai in Tamil and Nachchiya malai (FERNANDO, K S 2003), rises southwards of Kuchchaveli (N08°49': E081°06'). APPROACH 1974: South of Kuchchaveli (N08°49': E081°06'): A most convenient way to reach this out-of-the-ordinary site is to hire a vallam, an outriggerless dug-out canoe, from the fishing settlement at the Salappai Aru ferry. The journey --one way-- is about four miles through fascinating mangrove swamp and heavy, bird-filled jungle. (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974 edited 1984: 120). APPROACH 2003: The 25 kilometre jungle track to Tiriyaya [N08°52': E081°01'] was irresistible to us. Tis was our second trip. It was not so long ago that it was inaccessible to civilians and now it seemed it had opened its vistas luring many into its wilds. Passing Nilaweli and a few other small hamlets, the security check points warned us that we were travelling into the hidden heart of Lanka along its eastern sea line rarely broken by the mark of man. However, the once deserted migrant fishing hamlets seemed to be awakening. There were more huts and more people than during our last visit. … However, to explore these strange places is not yet possible due to tight security. In fact it is almost a shock to realise the fragility of the peace which we enjoy along the roads of Colombo when we pass through the heavily guarded and constantly patrolled jungle tracks. At all times you may be sure to find soldiers watching you almost hidden amongst the trees (FERNANDO, K S 2003). TUFA DESCRIPTION 1974: Slow cavers: Take care! : At the foot of the hill runs a small river [no name mentioned: Mtti Aru], which is said to have the property of petrifying objects by coating them with a heavy deposit of calcium [more likely: calcium carbonate, calcareous tufa]. It is certainly true that on the sand banks lining the stream petrified crab shells and similar objects, apparently turned into limestone, are often found (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: ?; 1983: 119-120). TUFA DESCRIPTION 2003: Nihal Fernando in his book the Ceylon Traveler says that it is certainly true that on the sand banks lining the stream petrified crab shells and similar objects apparently turned into limestone are often found. The petrified crabs of Matti Aru [note 3], which is one of the several rivers which flow into Salape Aru [note 4] as common estuary, have been said to be of medicinal value and used to cure urinary disorders. Dr. H. Woodward describes a certain medicinal crab found here used in the Chinese pharmacopoeia (FERNANDO, K S 2003).tti Aru], which is said to have the property of petrifying objects by coating them with a heavy deposit of calcium [more likely: calcium carbonate, calcareous tufa]. It is certainly true that on the sand banks lining the stream petrified crab shells and similar objects, apparently turned into limestone, are often found (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: ?; 1983: 119-120). TUFA DESCRIPTION 2003: Nihal Fernando in his book the Ceylon Traveler says that it is certainly true that on the sand banks lining the stream petrified crab shells and similar objects apparently turned into limestone are often found. The petrified crabs of Matti Aru [note 3], which is one of the several rivers which flow into Salape Aru [note 4] as common estuary, have been said to be of medicinal value and used to cure urinary disorders. Dr. H. Woodward describes a certain medicinal crab found here used in the Chinese pharmacopoeia (FERNANDO, K S 2003).