Pidurutalagala

Pidurutalagala
Mount Pedro

Radio equipment at the summit of the mountain
Elevation 2,524 m (8,281 ft)
Prominence 2,524 m (8,281 ft)
Listing Country high point
Ultra
Location
Pidurutalagala
 Sri Lanka
Range Pidurutalagala

Pidurutalagala (Sinhala: පිදුරුතලාගල, pronounced [ˌpidurutaˈlaːɡələ], Straw Plateau Rock), or Mount Pedro in English, is an ultra prominent peak, and the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka, at 2,524 m (8,281 ft).[1] Mount Pedro is located close to the city of Nuwara Eliya, and is easily visible from most areas of the Central Province.

It's summit is home to the central communications array of the Government of Sri Lanka and armed forces, and serves as an important point in the country's radar system. The peak is currently designated as an "Ultra-high security zone", and is protected by a large military base; being strictly off limits to the general public.

On the 1st of March 2010, a small wildfire broke out over the mountain's forest cover. The fire destroyed 3 acres (0.012 km2) of forest, before being doused by the Sri Lanka Air Force and nearly 300 local residents.[2][3]

The Pidurutalagala mountain range, with radio equipment visible at the summit of Mount Pedro, on the far left.

See also

References

  1. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica. "Mount Pidurutalagala" (in English). http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/459678/Mount-Pidurutalagala. Retrieved 21 April 2011. 
  2. ^ "Fire erupts at Mount Pedro" (in English). Newsfirst.lk. 1. http://www.newsfirst.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8625. Retrieved 21 April 2011. 
  3. ^ "Residents help army and forest officers to douse pidurutalagala fire" (in English). Newsfirst.lk. 2. http://www.newsfirst.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8650. Retrieved 21 April 2011.