Meemure – The Hidden Village

Getting its name from the many surrounding “Mee” trees, this quaint little village is by all means sheltered and near isolated from the outside world. With no means of mobile or data connectivity, Meemure is a secluded paradise made up of cool natural pools, towering mountains, fabulous waterfalls and a vast expanse of paddy. Tucked away in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, the only way to reach Meemure is from the Hunnasgiriya Mountain which is part of the Knuckles Mountain Range. And even though the road leading to this hidden village can be quite difficult to travel, the charming view and the great expectations certainly makes up for the trip.

According to folklore Meemure dates back to almost 5000 years. As the stories go, some believe that the legendary King Ravana of the Indian literary epic Ramayana owned Lakegala, lying east of the village, and has used it as a power source during his times. However the one closest to the truth originates from the story of Prince Vijaya and Kuweni, where their two children and the Veddas (indigenous people of Sri Lanka) who originated from them are believed to have lived in the forest where the small village is now located. The Veddas of modern Sri Lanka who live 60km away from Meemure in Mahiyanganaya seem to prove this belief to be the truth.

Today, Meemure has a population of approximately 400 friendly people, and is fast becoming a tourist hotspot. With plenty of activities to do from; camping, hiking and exploring to simply relaxing and chilling by the clear pools, the village is an excellent choice for a withdrawn experience with nature. Owing to the network of streams running through the village, Meemure has also got an abundant biodiversity of vegetation, amphibians and over a 130 species of birds, much to the bird lover’s delight. The relaxing fish-spa treatment from the pools also adds to the list of activities to enjoy in Meemure.




Written By: Kavisha Perera