Students waiting outside an English language tutory, Kaluaggala, Sri Lanka.

The High level road to Kaluaggala from Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Collecting recyclable plastic bottles

High level road junction at Godagama

Godagama to Meepe on the High level road

New bridge at Galagedara on the High level road.

The High level road built during  British times to avoid the periodic flooding on the Low level road to Kaluaggala from Colombo is a rapidly developing area now.

Drip irrigation, Kaluaggala, Sri Lanka.

Drip faucet watering a Gerbera flower plant.

Drip sprayer inside an orchid house

Water tank, pump and filter.

Timer to control the water pump.

Drip irrigation was a technique pioneered by Israel in the water scarce country. The theory was that water sent in as drips, close to the root of any plant was utilised more efficiently. There was less water loss by evaporation or seeping into adjoining soil.

A variety of edible Yams for sale, Kaluaggala, Sri Lanka.

From time immemorial edible yams were dug up in the wild or cultivated for their food value. I came across this outlet selling a variety of  yams at Kaluaggala on the Colombo - Avissawella road.

Scenes, Avissawella, Kaluaggala, Sri Lanka.

Vagrant cattle resting on the pavement, Avissawella.

Home made door-mats and cushins for sale, Kaluaggala.

Firewood for sale by the road side, Kaluaggala.

Orchid flowers in a home garden, Kaluaggala, Sri Lanka.

On the High-level road, Kaluaggala, Sri Lanka.

Water-melons for sale by the roadside.

Concrete works.

A very busy traffic goes past Kaluaggala to Colombo. Two scenes from either side of the road are pictured here.

Fruits in their variety, Kaluaggala, Sri Lanka.

Rambuttan vendor - 12 fruits for Rs.100/-.

'Rambuttans' the red and yellow varieties, 'Mangoosteens' and the aphrodisiac 'Durian' for sale.

On the Colombo - Rathnapura road at Kaluaggala and around, these way side stalls do a rollicking business. Vehicles on the highway stop and buy these fruits. 'Durians' cost Rs.250/- upwards. 'Mangoosteens' are 12 for Rs.100/-. All these fruits were not native to Sri Lanka. They were introduced by the Portuguese and Dutch colonial powers, starting from 500 years ago.

Durian tree with fruits and sale of fruits by the roadside, Kaluaggala, Sri Lanka.

A tall Durian tree.

The prickly fruits on its branches.

It is folk legend that elephants do not stray under the branches of a Durian tree for fear of the falling fruits.

Durian, Rambuttan and mangoosteen for sale by the roadside.

Rambuttans for sale, Kaluaggala, Sri Lanka

Rambuttans are aplenty for sale by the side of busy highways now in the month of June. They cost anything from Rs.5 to Rs.10 each.

Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4rNU16R1Rc

Child playing with an old grinding stone.