Among the peculiar things I do, one that stands out is that I go from Colombo to Kandy for my dental works. I picked up the habit of going to the Primrose Dental when I was an engineering undergraduate at the University of Peradeniya. One of the reasons I keep going there is that I love the drive, especially around Kadugannawa. Pre-pandemic, I would stretch my legs, drink a cup of tea, and admire the view of the Bible Rock. The picture is particularly intoxicating just after a rain, but now it faces the risk of landslides.

Alternative Route

While there were few routes around Kadugannawa, I decided to go through Kurunegala. The alternative ways add only about 10 KM, but I am familiar with the A6 (Ambepussa ~ Kurunegala) A10 (Kandy ~ Kurunegala road) since I am from Kurunegala. I have muscle memory of every curve in that road.

The A10 (Kuruengala ~ Kandy) route had 8 locations of mini landslides. These landslides are not uncommon, and they could be bad enough to close the road. Since I didn't want to go through the town, I chose Gohagoda Road from Katugastota (turn right before the bridge). The Gohgoda route, too, had many landslides, and I avoided it on my way back.

Barigma Halloluwa Road starting from Barigama (after Aladeniya) is a good road (90% of the way). However, in my opinion, the wrong route. Narrow roads, cliffs and fast incoming traffic are reasons why I avoid it.

Traffic

I left just before sunrise on a rainy day. The traffic right until Ambepusa was non-existent or moving fast. Once on A6, the situation changed. At Ambepussa, there was sizable incoming traffic from the Kandy / Kegalle direction. I wondered if the alternative rouets that bypassed Kadugannawa are no longer operational.

The Ride

The usual journey to Kandy through that A1 takes me about 3 hours. I was surprised when I reached Kandy through Kurunegala at the same time. I could have done better if the traffic at A6 didn't slow me down for about 15m.

The ride was not scenic but was fast. I went past the towns quickly as they were still waking up. The journey started at 5:30 ended strictly at 8:30 when I parked at the Primrose Dental Surgery for a root canal filling. Dr Aruna Wimalarathne was like, "How did you come from Colombo?".

The ride back home was a bitch, though. From Kandy to Kurunegala the journy took 1:30min. The small towns slowed me down significantly. I believe it was because of the Sunday Pola. Once I entered the A6, the average speed was better, and I was able to reach Colombo in 2:30 hours.