Scenes of Jaffna town, Sri Lanka.

Public Library.

St James' Church.

The name 'Pattinam' was used to refer to the Jaffna town by the older generation. 'Pattinam' in old Tamil usage referred to a town situated by the sea-shore ( Cf 'Kaavirippoom Pattinam' referred to in the tamil epic 'Manimekalai' written in the 2nd Century AD). The Dutch built a large Fort which served as their administrative center in the north of Sri Lanka.

House-hold items of Jaffna 60 years ago, Sri Lanka.

Wooden spatula used to stir up rice while cooking.

Various utensils of brass.

A kite.

A large bucket of iron used in the irrigation of farm land.

Scenes of Jaffna in the 1950s; Sri Lanka. Exhibit at the Gnanam's Hotel.

A water-boiler used in a tea-shop.

A farmer returning after work.

A wooden plough.

Kitchen utensils made of granite.

Everything was used, repaired and passed on from generation to generation. The throw-aways were minimal and were bio-degradable. Life centered on the villages where every need was met.

House-hold utensils used in Jaffna in the pre 1950 era, Sri Lanka.

Charcol fired irons, various brass utensils, water carriers and table lamps.

A balance and a water-carrier made from palmyra leaf.

These exhibits were found at Gnanam's Hotel, Jaffna. In the pre 1950 era most of the cooking utensils were either of clay or brass. Aluminium was unheard of.

A Gypsy fortune-teller, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

She was from a Gypsy tribe long resident in Sri Lanka. They speak a different language and never stay in one place. They appear literally overnight and build a temporary camp in a vacant plot. They visit the adjoining villages.The males exhibit Cobras and trained monkeys. The females are palmists and fortune tellers. They have an annual get to-gether at Galgamuwa close to Anuradhapura where the tribal elder ratifies marriages and settles internal disputes.

Environs of the Dutch Fort, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

'Pannai' sea-shore.

Area in front of the Fort.

Sunset over the Fort.

The Telecom tower near the Fort.

The Fort is being renovated on a grant from the Dutch Government.

Sunsets along the A9 highway from Chavakachchery to Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

Sunset at Chavakachchery.

Sunset over the Dutch Fort, Jaffna.