Sin: හපුතලේ – Tam: ஹபுதலே haputalē
‘Champak Summit’ UP, Sri Lanka
From Sin: hapu/sapu, ‘champak tree’ [Magnolia champaca]; and talā, ‘high ground, hill, summit, peak’.
The champak is a flowering timber tree. Its fragrant flowers are used extensively in hair and massage oils as well as perfumes.
Haputale sits on a summit of 1,431m on the edge of the Central Highlands.
It is famous for its tea plantations, cloud cover, and spectacular views of the hill country and southern plains.
Train travelling through tea plantations in Haputale amanjahemal