Vital statistics, Sri Lanka 2006.

Size - 65,610 Sq. Km.
Capital - Sri Jayawardenapura.
Commercial Capital - Colombo.
Population - 19.8 million.
Population density - 317 persons per Sq. Km. Human Development Index - (2004) 0.755. Rank among 177 countries 93.
Life expectancy at birth - Male 71.7 years. Female 77.0 years.
Literacy rate - (overall) 92.5%.
Languages - Sinhala, Tamil, English. English is widely spoken throughout Sri Lanka with the exception of remote villages.
Ethnic mix - Sinhalese, 74%, Tamils 18%, Muslims 7%, Burghers and others1%.
Religions - Buddhism 70%, Hinduism 16&, Christianity 7&, Islam 7%.
Climate - Lowlands tropical, Average 27OC.
Major exports - Textiles and garments, petroleum products, tea, rubber, rubber products, gems, jewellery and spices.

Source: Annual report 2006, Central Bank of Sri Lanka & Relevant Institutions.
Excerpt from 'Gem Talk', Oct-Dec 2007.

A boat-ride on the Sithawaka Oya near Thimbiripola, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

An Oriental music school band, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Statue of the Bodhisatthwa at Maligawila near Buththala, Sri Lanka.

The Mahayana inspired monument of a Bodhisatthwa depicted above was not seen in the mid 1960s when I visited the fallen down statue of Lord Buddha nearby. The statue of Lord Buddha was restored to its erect posture and the statue of a Bodhisatthwa has been renovated during the time of the Premiership of Mr. Premadasa.

The statue of Lord Buddha at Maligawila.

Toys of childhood - 1950s, Sri Lanka.

Toys turned out of wood.

An old bicycle rim was an excellent roll-along negotiating difficult train.

What a lovely childhood it was in the 1940s to 1960s. Plastic toys were unheard of. Tin, pewter and wood were used as raw materials for toys.