philipveerasingam

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Point-Pedro and Manalkaadu, Sri Lanka.

Jetty at Point-Pedro.

Former 'customs shed' near the Point-Pedro jetty.

Point-Pedro is called 'Paruththi-thurai' - Cotton exporting harbour - in Thamil. I have seen a few cotton shrubs growing in Vallai-vely close by. As a school boy at Hartley In the 1950s I have seen sailing boats called 'Vallams' anchored near this jetty. Paddy was transported here from Batticaloa and salt was exported from here. A large ware-house called the 'Kittangi' was near the bus-stand about 200 meters away, where the items imported were stored.

Burial site of the Tsunami victims at Manalkaadu.

Houses built for the Tsunami victims at Manalkaadu.

The Tsunami wiped out a large village on this coastline bordering the Indian Ocean, on the north-eastern side of Sri Lanka. Quite a few houses have been built more inland using foreign aid.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Scenes of Point-Pedro, Sri Lanka.

Fishing boats at Sakkottai - on the road to Point-Pedro.

A trawler at anchor, outskirts of Point-Pedro.

Main gate, Hartley College, Point-Pedro.

A brand new Hostel for Hartley College, courtesy alumnus Mr. Kirupaharan, my old hostel-mate now a citizen of Germany.

In the 1950s I was attending Hartley College from its hostel. This was situated about 300 meters away on the road to Aaththiady. It was a two-storeyed building adjoining the college play-ground. Came the unrest and the building was ruined. Kirupaharan was a resident in the hostel with me. We were in the college choir and have many a story to share. Kirupaharan moved to Germany and became a respected citizen there. He visited Hartley in the latter part of 2000 (the post-war era). He put up a brand new three storeyed hostel, all at his own expense replacing the old damaged building. It stands tall and proud today.