Sights along the 'Southern Expressway', Sri Lanka.

If you are driving you will miss the sights. The smooth run from Kottawa to Mathara takes 2 hrs 30 mins including a stop over of 30 mins for refreshments in the service area. The constant drone of the engine will make you sleepy but if you are alert you will see scenes of everyday country life on either side of the expressway. Clear blue skies and clear country air without air-conditioning and windows open will meet you.

Sights at Karandana, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Tea-plucker in a private land.

Cat enjoying a snooze on an easy-chair.

Sights inside the 'Hotel Sigiriya', Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.

A village style tree-house.

A corridor in the 'Hotel Sigiriya'

Flower petals floating in a stone basin.

A 'wattle and daub' mud hut.

Sights from Hotel Sigiriya, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.

The 'Lion rock' as seen from the area near the swimming pool in the hotel.

Climbers at the top of the rock - Zoom 400mm on my Nikon D90.

Kids in the swimming pool.

Sights at Abheyagiri Dagoba, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Sights at Thanthrimale, Sri Lanka.

A water reservoir at a low level.

The 'Aavasa ge' - Priests' residence.

A 'Cannon ball tree' and its flowers.

Sights on the climb from the second stairway, Yapahuwa, Sri Lanka.

Colorful insects.

Stone footsteps.

Cactus plants growing wild on the dry rock.

Abandoned cave with white ants building their nests.

Sights, 'Blue Waters', Wadduwa, Sri Lanka.

Room with twin beds

Cable TV

Bridge across the swimming area.

Crows taking a bath.

Saman Dewala, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

A building in the wall surrounding the front courtyard of the Saman Dewale.

The outer wall of the courtyard.

Worshippers depositing or collecting their footware near the entrance to the temple.

An engraving in stone with a legend below done during Portuguese times in the 16th Century, Present Era. It claims that a soldier in the Portuguese army - Kuruwita Rala - saved a Prince of Jaffna from being killed on the battlefield in Jaffna, by standing guard over the fallen Prince. This stela is mounted on a wall in the front courtyard of the temple.