Monkeys at Sankhapala, Sri Lanka.

Monkeys are resident at the Sankhapala Buddhist monastery in Sri Lanka. Click on the video link below to see their antics:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmkUCckwfr4

'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.