Climbing the 'greasy pole', Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

One of the popular competitions of the 'New year' is climbing the greasy pole and bringing down the red flag on the top of the pole. Here you see one of the competitors attempting it.

'Kadapul' flower, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A rare flower which opens in the late evening and has a sweet smell.

Garden outside the male ward, District Hospital, Koslanda.

Garden, District Hospital, Koslanda, Sri Lanka.

You can identify tghe plantain, breadfruit and jak trees in the garden of the hospital. Every year an auction was held among the staff of the hospital.

Every year an auction was held among the staff of the hospital. The highest bidder had access to all the produce from the trees in the hospital premises. The trees included plantains, breadfruit, jak, coconut, arecanut, mango etc.

District Medical Officer's quarters, Koslanda, Sri Lanka.

The only change I noticed from 1966 when I was its occupant was the change from 'bucket latrines' to a modern toilet. The 'billin tree' with its abundant fruits was still there near the gate. Wild hare, mouse deer and hedge-hogs still frequented the place.