'Little egret' resting on a coconut palm, Avissawella,Sri Lanka

Latex collection from a rubber tree - before and after, Kudagama, Sri Lanka

Note the half shell of the coconut used to collect the latex. It is turned down after the latex is collected. Latex is a sweet liquid and hungry dogs or cattle occasionally drink it. The swallowed latex is coagulated by the action of the acid in the stomach. It becomes solid and fills the stomach cavity preventing the animals from being unable to partake of a full meal. The affected animals have a lingering death due to starvation.

Mining for gems in the Sithawaka Oya, Kudagama, Sri Lanka.

The river bed contain s gems in the Sithawaka Oya at Avissawella. Bamboo barriers are erected across the flowing water and the gravel is taken out and searched for gems. Saphires, rubies etc are found and make many a villager rich overnight.

'Kurundhu gala' a bathing spot on the Sithawaka Oya, Sri Lanka.

This could have been a trans-shipment point for cinnamon, on the Sithawaka Oya, in ancient times. It is now a bathing spot for the villagers of Kudagama, Avissawella.

Valley adjoining Kalatuweva, Sri Lanka.

The valley adjoining Kalatuweva, seen from a chalet at the 'Serenity Village', Wevila, Sri Lanka. I used a 12X zoom on my Fuji S1500 to take this picture. The valley was about half a mile away.