Paddy fields and vendors ware near Dematamal Vihare, Buththala, Sri Lanka.

Watcher's hut in a paddy field, Katharagama.

The lush green of a paddy field is broken up by a watcher's hut. The watcher stays here during the day to chase away parakeets and similar birds who come to eat the ripening paddy grains. In the night people keep guard to chase away marauding animals which include wild elephants. They light a firebrand and sing 'pal kavi' to keep awake.

Work on a paddy field, Thummodara, Sri Lanka.

A quiet country scene on the road to Thummodara from Avissawella.

The valley below Kadugannawa, Sri Lanka.

This would have been the view presented to the warriors of the Kandyan Kingdom in late 15th to the early 17th century. The soldiers advancing against the Kingdom would have been spotted miles off before they attempted scaling the Balana rock fortress. At present there are lush green paddy fields and an air of peace and serenity prevails.