Lotus pond, Athurugiriya, Sri Lanka.

Lotus pond with two birds and an iguana, Athurugiriya, Sri Lanka.

A stream in Athurugiriya, Sri Lanka.

I passed this stream close to Athurugiriya two days ago. There were lovely red lotuses in bloom, the air was fresh and free of fumes and the countryside peaceful. It was a bit of paradise.

A school band, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

There are two types of school bands in present Sri Lanka. They are the western and the occidental. The photo above shows an eastern school band in action at the 'Janadhipathi Vidyalaya', Avissawella.

'Kiri Amma Daana' on a paddy field.

On the road to Maniyangama in Avissawella, I came across this shed constructed on a paddy field. It was after harvesting time. The villagers told me they had a 'Pirith' ceremony the previous night with a 'Daana' given to 49 'Kiri Ammas' the previous night. This was to invoke rains as there was a period of drought at that time.

Mango fruit and squirrel, Avissawela, Sri Lanka.

The first mango fruit in our garden being consumed with relish by a squirrel.