An Egret and two Black-headed Ibises, Yala, Sri Lanka.

A tranquil pond and birds fishing in it - a scene of peace and tranquility. Photo taken by Queenie V.

Black-necked Ibis and Black-headed Stork, Yala, Sri Lanka.

A 'Black-headed Ibis' - Threskiornis melanocephalus - and a 'Black-necked Stork' - Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus - walking in tandem at the Yala National Park, Sri Lanka. Photo taken by Dr. Queenie Veerasingam.

'Pattinagala', Yala, Sri Lanka.

A rocky prominence called 'Pattinagala' marks the spot in the coastline of Yala, where the 'Tsunami' washed away about twenty Japanese. The term 'Pattanam' in Tamil means a coastal town. There must have been a coastal metropolis in ancient days at this site. Who knows what similar disasters would have wiped away these coastal towns. Being on the southern tip of Sri Lanka, this would have been an ideal landfall for mariners in ancient days.