A school in Adampan, Mannar, Sri Lanka, in 2004, in between wars.

The 'Kadalai Aachchi'

The teachers

The students

Going home, Pesalai, Mannar, Sri Lanka.

I saw this carter, sloshing drunk on Toddy (fermented palmyra sap, drunk fresh under the tree),  going home after a day's work. He was very happy to pose for this photo.

Madhu Church, Mannar, Sri Lanka.

During the years of Dutch Colonal rule in Sri Lanka, Catholics were persecuted. They found refuge in Madhu off Mannar. It s a very popular site for pilgrimage by all sections of the present Sri Lankan populace.

Mulangavil, Mannar, Sri Lanka.

Road through the jungle.

On the bund of a lake, Mulangavil, Mannar, Sri Lanka.

Madhu Catholic Church, Mannar, Sri Lanka.

With a history going back to the time of the Dutch Colonial rule of Sri Lanka, this church of the Virgin Mary draws large crowds from all over the Island. Founded by refugees who hid in the jungles during Dutch persecution of Catholics, this church in the jungle has an annual feast when devotees in their thousands come here to camp out and partake of the festivities.

Thirukketheeswaram to Pesalai, Mannar, A road trip, June 2014, Sri Lanka.

The 'Gopuram of the Thirukketheeswaram temple.

The causeway leading to Mannar town.

Catholic church at Pesalai with a 500 year history.

Fishing boats at Pesalai.

An ancient light-house with facilities to burn fire-wood at the top, Pesalai.

Please click on the  web-link below to see more photos:-

http://youtu.be/XL1njx133Uw

'Umbrella tree' , Pesalai, Sri Lanka.

Mannar is famous for the 'umbrella trees which dot the arid soil with high degree of salinity. I took this picture in 2004.

A tank in the Vanni, Mulangaavil, Mannar, Sri Lanka.

Turning off from the coastal road from Thallady to Poonery, taking the road past Mulangaavil, there was this water reservoir, fed from the Giants tank, watering the paddy fields around Mulangaavil. I took this photo in 2005 during peace time.

Madhu church, Pandivirichchaan, Mannar, Sri Lanka.

I took this photograph of Madhu Church in Mannar, in 2005, during the time of peace.

'The umbrella tree', Mannar, Sri Lanka.

The 'umrella tree' is called so because it looks like an umbrella. It flourishes in highly saline soil. I took this picture in Mannar, of this tree growing close to a salt pan.