Purple Swamphens, Angunokolapalessa, Sri Lanka.

 I saw a flock of these Purple Swamphens in a wet paddy field adjoining the Angunokolapalessa - Ranna highway. They did not seem to be disturbed by the occasional fast moving vehicle.

Darter on a wayside pond, Angunukolapalessa, Sri Lanka.

I saw this Darter - Anhinga melanogaster - at a wayside pond passing Angunukolapalessa.

Road, Angunukolapalessa, Sri Lanka.

Roads in Sri Lanka have vastly improved in quality in recent times. These are Asian Bank funded projects to upgrade infra structure in the country. I took this picture of the road in Angunukolapalessa.

Two Pea-cocks at Angunukolapalessa, Sri Lanka.

Plot growing Papaw trees, Angunukjolapalessa, Sri Lanka.

Papaw was grown extensively in the dry zone to extract the milky sap oozing from the cut surface of the fruit , for export. Now there is a glut of various types of papaws grown around Embilipitiya. I took this picture of a plot growing these trees at Angunukolapalessa.

Black headed Ibises mingling with Egrets on a paddy field, Angunukolapalessa, Sri Lanka.

Black headed Ibises are a pretty common sight in and around Angunukolapalessa on the Embilipitiya - Ranne road in Sri Lanka.

Adam's Peak seen from Lellopitiya, Sri Lanka.

I took these two pictures from the 'Sun Ray Inn' at Lellopitiya on the road from Rathnapura to Pelmadulla. The first picture shows the horizon outlining the distant hills. The second one shows a close up of Adam's Peak - 'Samanala Kanda' S, 'Sivanoli Paada Malai' T. You can see the temple at the peak. You can also see the outline of the 'Baana Samanalakanda' S - the nephew of Samanala Kanda, in front of it.

A Shikra, Saman Dewale, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

I saw this Shikra perched on a bough of a large tree situated between the Saman Dewale and the Kalu Ganga.

Saman Dewale, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

I took this photo of a panoramic view of the rear of the Saman Dewale, Rathnapura.

Blythe's Pipit, Puwakpitiya, Sri Lanka

I saw this bird by the side of the Puwakpitiya - Kaluwandura Road.
Click on the link below to watch the video I took of the bird in action - attempting to build a nest.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gScD-Nwz3gs

Peacock, Katharagama, Srilanka.

A Peacock seen in one of the by lanes at Katharagama, Srilanka. They are considered sacred and roam free in this area of Srilanka. Click on link below:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0XgArhbto0

Female Purple-rumped Sunbird, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A female Purple-rumped Sunbird. Video taken in our garden at Avissawella, Srilanka.Click on link below:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUfpf_6Y-Lo&feature=player_embedded

'Thooku and Chedil kaavady', Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The 'Kaavady' derived from the Tamil words 'Kaavu+thady' (carrying+stick) is a ritual performed by Saivite Hindus in Sri Lanka. It is to fulfil a vow made to a God or Goddess. The video shows a 'kaavady' procession wending its way from the 'Muththu Mari Amman' temple at Avissawella to another 'Muthu Mari Amman temple at Puwakpitiya about 4 Km away. You can see a devotee suspended on a horizontal pole by fish hooks inseted to the skin on the back of the chest. Another devotee is seen dancing on the road. Click on the video link below to see the action:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qRCxi_L9Os

Red-vented Bulbul, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Video of a red-vented Bulbul enjoying a slice of papaw in my garden at Avissawella, Srilanka. Click on the links below:-

http://youtu.be/hOYi5MwAcos

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

Brown-headed Barbet eating fruits.

 Photo taken in our garden, Avissawella, Sri Lanka of a Barbet eating part of a banana fruit on the ground.
Video of a  Brown-headed Barbet eating from a slice of papaw fruit in our garden at Avissawella, Sri Lanka.
Click on the link below:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO3QMQfxr4E&NR=1

A swinging squirrel, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A squirrel swinging suspended by its hind legs while eating a morsel, Avissawella, Sri Lanka. Click on the video link below:-


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

Hanging Parrot, Avissawella, Sri Lanka

Click on link below, to see a video taken in our garden at Avissawella, of a Hanging Parrot eating some 'Jambu' fruits.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEfRyI3sjJs

Sri Lankan Paradise Flycatcher, male, Avissawella, Sri Lanka

A video I took in my garden at Avissawella.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IreSN4i-BDk

Help for the ferry-man.

Boat ferries are a common site in Sri Lanka. They are used to ferry travelers across rivers where there are no bridges close by. I took this video at the Kudagama ferry-crossing the Kalu Ganga in Avissawella. You can see a female passenger giving a helping hand to the ferry-man. Please click on the internet link below to watch the action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMDTTEekbmw&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Ring-necked Parakeet, Kosgama, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Parakeets come visiting the 'Jambu' tree in our garden at Avissawella, when the tree is loaded with fruits. I took this video of a 'Ring-necked Parakeet' enjoying the soft, rose colored,  'Jambu' fruits at its leisurely pace. Click on the link below to see the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0HuXctJ6D0&NR=1

Nest of a 'Plain Prinia', Kosgama, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

I saw the nest of a 'Prinia' on a tree close to the entrance of a house at Kosgama, Avissawella. I took the picture of the nest above. You can see the chicks inside. One bird flew out and sat on a branch closeby. I presume it was the mother. I took a video of it. Click on the link below to see the mother and its chirping.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3huKrLVQ3oY

Two views of a Batticaloa sunset taken in the 1980s.

Views of sunsets in Batticaloa takes ones breath away. I took these pictures in the 1980s.

Student

I took this picture in the 1980s on a 'timed exposure', using candle light. The camera used was an SLR with a 50mm lens. This was in the post cyclone days in Batticaloa when power supplies were being restored and there were frequent power cuts.

Uganthaimalai, Batticaloa, Sriu Lanka.

Uganthaimalai is a famous rock temple dedicated to Lord Murugan. It lies on the sea-shore on a rocky outcrop. It lies on the path of the pilgrims walking from the north of the Island to Kathirgaamam. I took this photo on a visit with a group from the Batticaloa Hospital. Photo taken by me on an SLR in the late 1980s.

Batticaloa sunset hours

I took this photo on an SLR in the 1980s, near the Rest House, Batticaloa. Colour photos were available at that time but were too expensive.

Alupola waterfalls, Wewalwaththe, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

The Alupola waterfalls lies close to the bridge crossing 'Pandy Oya' on the Wewalwaththe - Alup[ola road. It is about 21 miles from Rathnapura, Sri Lanka. The road passes through beautiful hilly country covered by tea and rubber estates. Click below to see a video of the waterfalls posted by me on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQy265llIZ8

Reading a 'birth chart'

A 'birth chart' - 'Handahan'S - is made for each child as soon as the child is born iun Sri Lanka. The chart is written on an 'ola leaf' and is rolled up. It depicts the time of birth and the position of the planets and constellations at that time. It acts as a guide in fixing auspicious times, finding a suitable partner in life, laying the foundation of a house etc. The picture shows a birth chart written on an ola leaf. Picture taken at Bollathava, Kosgama, Sri Lanka.

The drivers seat in a passenger transporting bus, Sri Lanka.

The owners of buses take extra pains to decorate the buses. I took this picture of the interior. You can see the row of pictures of the 'Guardian Dieties' illuminated by electric bulbs.

Statue of Ravana, Bambaragalle, Sri Lanka.

 Ravana was a mythical king of Sri Lanka whose reign goes back to the mists of antiquity. He was vilified in the epic 'Ramayana' written in India. A statue commemorating Ravana showing his ten heads was installed recently on a high point on the rock at Bambaragalle. There are some 'manthras' inscribed in a strange script  at the base of this statue. This site overlooks a lovely view of the valley below. I took these photographs on a visit to the site.

Rideevihare, Sri Lanka.

 Jak fruits on a tree and a stone shelter for monks doing meditation (old days). The small sticks kept to support the stone are symbolic offerings of devotees.

 Stairway cut into a large rock giving access to a 'Chaithya' on top. A rain water collector made of cement and wire-mesh - a recent design.

Artifacts at Rideevihara, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka.

 Moonstone and lamp holder made of stone.

A stone slab to hold lighted lamps and flowers. A urinal to be used squatting down and a stone pestle.
Rideevihare has its origins in the 2nd Century BC.

Rideevihara, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka

 The influence of South India in the stone pillars and carvings is evident in these phitos I took at Rideevihare dated to the 2nd Century BC.

Dehena Ella - waterfall, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

Dehena Ella - waterfall is about 20Km from Rathnapura on the Rathnapura - Wewalwaththe road. It is surrounded by lush jungle and is by the side of the road. When there is heavy rain in the upper reaches it becomes a roaring torrent. Click on the link below to view it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW4CgR7bFBc