Tsunami Memorial, Yala, Sri Lanka.

When a Tsunami hit Sri Lanka in 2004 on the 26th December it caused severe devastation. A group of Japanese tourists who were camped at this place - Patinagala in Yala were swept away. The photo shows 'Patinagala' - the stony outcrop on the sea-shore. The vertical sail like structures near the foundations of the devastated building, is the memorial erected in memory of the dead. Photo by Queenie V

Brahmini kites, Yala, Sri Lanka.

I took this picture of two Brahminy kites and a ?White-bellied sea-eagle, perched on a tree overlooking a pond inside the Yala National Park, Sri Lanka.

Advice on the inner side of a toilet door in Yala.

Translation of the Sinhalese text - "Do not use this (toilet) like a monkey".

'Red-wattled lapwing', Yala.

'Black-headed Ibis' at Yala.

A wild elephant lazing near a tank.

Bathing itself in mud in anticipation of the day's heat, this wild elephant was photographed by me at Yala, Sri Lanka.

Bird in a pond, Yala.

A spider's web, Yala.

At the memorial site, Yala.

The site where the Japanese tourists were carried away by the Tsunami of 2004.

'Pattunagala', Yala, where 20 odd Japanese tourists were swept away by the Tsunami of 2004.

 The memorial for the victims.

The Tsunami 0f December 24,2004, caught these Japanese tourists unawares in their place of rest. The building housing them collapsed and 20 of them were swept away into the roaring sea. A large rock named 'Pattunagala' stands sentinel at this site from time immemorial.

Spotted Deer at Yala.

Wild-boar, Yala.

Pea cocks/hens at Yala

Pea cocks are respected as the 'Vaahana' of Lord Murugan and are not killed for flesh by the locals. The Dutch used to hunt them for their tasty flesh. The tallow from their fat has a high reputation locally as a healer of broken bones when applied to the fracture site.

Four wheel drive for a 'Yala' trip.

A converted body on a Tata pickup, accomodates six in comfort and has a good height to see wild life is available at Tissamaharama for hire.