Protection against evil spirits, Sri Lanka.

When a site is cleared to construct a house in Sri Lanka, the four corners of the compound, has structures like this put up and oil lamps lighted. This is done to protect the building site from evil spirits. The covering for the coconut oil lamp is made of woven young coconut leaves.

'Surathalee' falls, on the Haputhale road from Balangoda, Sri Lanka.

There are many waterfalls by the wayside on the Balangoda - Haputhale road. These dry up in the dry season and become raging torrents during the rains. This one is called the 'Surathalee' in Sinhalese meaning in English - Darling.

Abheyagiriya Dagoba, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

The Abheyagiri Dagoba built around 88BC housed a well known school of Buddhism in its monastic complex. It had its adherents labelled as heretics - Vaithulya vaadins, and lost state patronage.

Wesak lantern, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Every Wesak there is a group of people who try to outdo each other in preparing Wesak lanterns in Sri Lanka. This is a picture of one of those in Avissawella.

Wesak decorations made out of young coconut leaves, Kudagama, Sri Lanka.

I saw these wesak lights made of young coconut leaves to hold lighted oil lamps, on the bank of the Sithawaka Oya, Sri Lanka. I took this picture at sunset when the lamps were not lit.