The lack of rain and the Victoria Project, Sri Lanka.

The bed of the Victoria reservoir upstream and the bed of the river downstream from the site of the dam on 12th August 2011. The rains had not arrived but power generation, the aim of the Victoria project was still going on.

The Victoria Dam, Sri Lanka.

The egg-shell shaped concrete dam built across the Mahaweli Ganga at Adhikarigama for power generation. This dam was designed and erected on British aid to Sri Lanka.

         Mr.Aruppola, Engineer in Charge, Victoria Project.  Mr.Weerasinghe Technical Officer, on right.

The poultry farmer - Sri Lankan

In the village called Weragolla in Puuwakpitiya, Sri Lanka there was a poultry farmer aged about 40 years. He had about 100 layers. He found that someone was stealing his eggs. He lay in wait and spotted a cobra quietly sneaking into his poultry shed. He was so angry that he grabbed the neck of the cobra and was bitten by it on his forearm for his pains. He killed the culprit and went looking for a native physician ('vedarala') who had a reputation for treating snake-bites, to a village closeby called Kosgama. The 'Vedarala' had one look at his bleeding forearm and the dead cobra which he took with him and sent him hurrying to the Avissawella Government Hospital. There he got severe symptoms of envenomation and was treated with large doses of antivenom serum and was in the Intensive Care Unit with life support for a few days. He is making a good recovery. What do you call this act, bravery, foolhardiness or anything else? Any suggestions?

Shrine room

On the road at Madagammana, near Eheliyagoda, I saw this shrine room built on top of a rock. It seems an ideal site to practice meditation.

Purple headed moorhen chicks

I spotted a whole group of these birds in a paddy field at Rekawa near Tangalle, Sri Lanka.

Illuminated garden.

I took this picture of an illuminated garden in a hotel at Kadawaththe, Sri Lanka.

Elephant orphanage, Udawalawe, Sri Lanka.

On the road connecting Embilipitiya to Thanamalvila is Udawalawe. Just before you cross the road over the Udawalawe dam is the elephant orphanage. 2pm is 'feeding time' for the orphaned elephants. They are released into the udawalawe sanctury after rehabilitation and come at feeding time to get their milk feed. They come eagerly to have their milk. Some protest that what they get is not enough by trumpeting after they have had their share. To watch a video of same click on link below:-
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM31sVP8NMA

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtNwPei39xY