'Head-umbrella', Sri Lanka.

This handy head-umbrella costs Rs100/- in Sri Lankan Rupees. It is of Chinese make. It fastens by some straps to the periphery of the head. I suppose a strong gust of wind would blow the umbrella away. I suppose you could have a 'Chin-strap' to retain it, but then there is the danger of the wearer himself being blown away in a heavy wind.

Black pepper -Piper nigrum, Sri Lanka

Black pepper - Pepper nigrum, the woody creeper

The yellow flower stalk and berries on the tree

The harvested berries awaiting drying in the sun when they will wrinkle up and turn b lack

Black pepper, 'Gammiris' -S, 'Milaku' - T, has been an export from Sri Lanka from ancient times. The term 'Gammiris' means 'Gamey Miris' translating as 'village-grown pepper'. This is to distinguish it from 'Kochchi Miris' brought from 'Kochin, Goa' during Portuguese times in the 16th Century Present Era. This latter was initially brought from South America by the Spaniards. It was introduced by the Portuguese to South Asia. The value of pepper in Europe in Medieval times could be gauged by the fact that a few pounds of it was worth a King's ransom.

A 'Bulath' tray for a visitor, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Preparing a betel tray - cutting the arecanut

In the villages in Sri Lanka the traditional offering of a 'betel' tray to a visitor to a house is still practised. The picture shows the contents of the tray. Running clockwise from top there are the following item:- Arecanut cutter - 'Giraya' S, 'Paakku vetty' T -, arecanut pieces, lime in a polythene satchet, a cluth of betel leaves and a twist of cured tobacco leaf all laid on a 'pankola thatiya' S, 'Olai ththatty' T. Out of these tobacco, lime and arecanut are implicated in the causation of cancer.

Rose bud, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A rose-bud blooming in our garden

Railway at Kosgama.

Railway station, Kosgama.

Railway line near Kosgama.

Kosgama was a big station during the early days of the Colombo to Opanaike Kelani Valley Line. Now the line runs from Colomb Fort to Avissawella and is converted to broad gauge.