Morning mist, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Haul from a dry river bed, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

 Coin minted by the British colonial rulers in 1890

Tooth-picks made of gold, silver, old coin.

Artifact in stone

Various coins

Uncut gem stones

Grains of gold mixed with the sand.

I met this man whom I persuaded to let me photograph his collection from a 'gem-pit' in a river bed. The Kelany Ganga was the roadway of the old days, where boats ferried passengers. The heavier articles which fell from the boat sank to the bottom and with time was covered with sand. Gemming from river beds using  improvised breathing equipment is a home-industry in present Sri Lanka.

An Iguana - 'Thalagoya' S, 'Udumbu' T - Home garden, Sri Lanka.

Mannar scenes, Sri Lanka.

Under an 'Umbrella tree'.

Madhu Church, Mannar, Sri Lanka.

During the years of Dutch Colonal rule in Sri Lanka, Catholics were persecuted. They found refuge in Madhu off Mannar. It s a very popular site for pilgrimage by all sections of the present Sri Lankan populace.