Waterfall, Sabaragamuwa. Sri Lanka.

The province of Sabaragamuwa was named so in ancient times because of the presence of a village of Gypsies (Sabara - Sinhalese). It also had the name 'Denawaka' in Sinhalese literature. It aquired the name Rathnapura because of the presence of gems in its soil. It is the most beautiful part if Sri Lanka. Rivulets, streams, rocky mountains and innumerable waterfalls with an abundant flora and fauna make it unique. This picture shows one of its numerous unnamed water-falls.

Materials used in packaging, Sri Lanka.

Old newspapers and part of the stem of the arecanut leaf is shown in this photo being used to pack some vegetables. The vegetables are kept fresh in this way during transport in a dry climate.

Foot-print in stone, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

In the early centuries after the 'Parinibbana' of Lord Buddha, His memory was celebrated using signs. Thus foot-prints, an empty chair, a parasol or a chamara were the articles used in worship. This had a good theological foundation for the Lord Buddha 'ceased to exist' when he attained 'Parinibbana'. Around the first century BC, images representing   Lord Buddha began to appear. The Jains also worshipped foot prints of their leader. This photo was taken by Charaka Wickremasinghe in Anuradhapura Sri Lanka.

A loving couple in stone, Isurumuniya, Sri Lanka.

The 'loving couple' is a famous stone sculpture belonging to the 5th century AD, at the Isurumuniya rock temple, Sri Lanka. The stone slab bearing this has been moved into a protected area now. The picture on top was taken in the late 1950s. Various interpretations have been given to the poses of the couple ranging from shyness of the female, to invitation for sexual congress as expressed by the posture of the fingers of the female's hand. Note the decorative stone jar on the top right corner.

The 'moon-stone' - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

The 'moon-stone' is shaped like a half-moon. It depicts the progression towards liberation. This it is claimed, was an object very sacred. Some sects of Buddhism when they gained the upper hand, used it as a door-step to denigrate the concepts depicted by it. Look at the image of the dwarfs carrying the steps of the stairway.