'Chathya' and the sacred 'Bodhi tree' at 'Sankhapala, Sri Lanka.

Two of the three essential components of a Theravada Buddhist place of worship the 'Chathya' and the sacred 'Bodhi' tree are shown in this picture taken at 'Sankhapala'.

'Sankapala' - Entrance and stairways.

Sankapala, the Buddhist monastery complex dating back with historical records going back to the second century BC. This is a popular place of pilgrimage for Buddhists in present Sri Lanka.

Sankapala, Sri Lanka.

King Dutugemunu reigned in the period 167 to 137 BC. He had ten 'Maha Yodayas' - giant warriors. One of them donated land to the Buddhist Sangha. The area within the hearing distance of a 'conch-shell trumpet' - 'Sankha' S, 'Sangu' T, was thus handed over. Temple paintings in the temple of 'Sankhapala' on the Pelmadulla - Embilipitiya road commemorates this event which happened 2000 years ago.

'Amba Sevana', Ussapitiya, Sri Lanka.

'Objets d' art' at 'Amba Sevana', Ussapitiya, Sri Lanka..

A 'bubulu lampuwa' introduced by the Dutch during their rule in Ceylon. Coconut oil was poured into the glass bowl in the shape of an inverted bell. A 'floating wick' was lighted in the center of the coconut oil. It provided good illumination in the era when gas nor electric lights were heard of. I saw this at the 'Amba Sevana', Ussapitiya.

An unusual 'Chandeliar' I saw at 'Amba Sevana', Ussapitiya.

Garden blooms at 'Amba Sevana', Ussapitiya, Sri Lanka.

'Amba Sevana' reception hall, Ussapitiya, Sri Lanka.

This renovated 'Walawwe' is on the Mawanella to Aranayake road at Ussapitiya.