'Murthy Thorana', and traditional 'Thorana', Kudagama, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A Wesak 'Thorana' depicts a 'Jataka' (birth) story of Lord Buddha. This is usually composed of pictures drawn and numbered in series on a bill-board like structure. This is adorned with electric lights.

A 'Moorthy Thorana' does the same thing but instead of drawings the story is depicted by figures made out of clay. This was seen by us for the first time at Avissawella, this Wesak.

At the 'high table' in a wedding reception, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Fire-wood, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

This is a regular sight on the Kudagama road, leading to the Avissawella Free Trade Zone. About 20 Lorries of firewood arrive daily from various parts of the Island to feed the furnaces of a factory in the Free Trade Zone. On inquiry I was told that firewood was cheaper than Furnace oil.

Chillie plant, Home garden, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The Chillie plant was native to South America. It was brought to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese in the 16th century AD. Even now a pungent variety of this plant is called 'Kochchi miris' in Sinhalese and 'Kochchikkkai' in Tamil. This recalls the time when it was brought from Cochin, South India a former Portuguese enclave.
Black pepper which was exported from Sri Lanka for more than 2000 years was native to Sri Lanka and is called 'Gammiris'  - Gamey miris - in Sinhalese meaning the local variety.
Chillie has 'capsicaine' and is used in ointments as a counter irritant, to relieve pain.

Dragonfly, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

'Silambu Palaendheema' - Lighting lamps, Part E, Maniccawaththe Pansala, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

'Silambu Palaendheema' - Lighting lamps, Part D, Maniccawaththe Pansala, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

'Silambu Palaendheema' - The Bodhi Pooja, Part C, Maniccawaththe Pansala, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

'Silambu palaendheema', Part B, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

'Silambu palaendheema', Maniccawaththe Pansala, Avissawella, Sri Lanka - Part A.

Watch videos by clicking the web-links below:-

 1. https://youtu.be/B1w5YnuQMtg

2. https://youtu.be/tnhJm-GTymc

 Students in a dancing class, learning 'Sinhala Natum' - Sinhalese dances, have a graduation ceremony. At this the anklets - 'Halamba' S, 'Silambu' T, are ceremonially tied. This is a religious ceremony. I took these pictures at such a ceremony at the Maniccawaththe Pansala, Avissawella on the 22nd March 2015.

Table decoration, Lions Club of Avissawella Sithawaka meeting, Sri Lanka.

Veralu tree with flower and fruit, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Partially restored, 'Sun-roof' Morris Minor, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

An old work-horse of the 1950s in Sri Lanka. This was extensively used by the British tea planters of Ceylon. Quite a few are still on the roads of Sri Lanka.

'Brick-house', Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Vari-coloured leaves, Home garden, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Wild flowers, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The Grotto, St. Mary's College, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A funeral house, Kosgama, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Squirrel foraging, home garden, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

3 wheeler humor, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Please do not crash into me, I still have not finished paying the loan I got to buy this vehicle.