Monday, March 30, 2009

Buddha statue, Maligawila, Buththala, Sri Lanka.

In 1967 I visited this place in a byway off Buththala in Sri Lanka. This massive Buddha statue made of sandstone was lying on the ground, with the head decapitated. This was the work of people who looked for treasure inside the statue. In the 1980s when I visited this place again the statue had been reinstalled, using mechanical cranes, during the Presidency of Mr.Premadasa. I took these pictures at that time. A few yards opposite this statue there is a very elaborately carved, beautiful image of a Boddhisattwa. This showed the influence of Mahayanism in this area.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Tree in bloom, Entrance to Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka.

I saw this tree in full bloom at the entrance to the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, opposite the Gatambe Dewala. It provided a beautiful sight.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

The valley below Hatton, Sri Lanka.

The road from Hatton to Nuwara Eliya is not well maintained. There are pot-holes on the road,  caused by the transport of construction material to the Upper Kothmale dam. The view over the valley is breathtaking on this road. The greenery and the two waterfalls, the Devon and St Clairs on this road add to the enchantment. This picture was taken by me near the beginning of the road at the Hatton end.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

'Kuttam pokuna'- Twin tanks dating 2000 years before the present era, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Bathing is an essential ritual daily in Sri Lanka, from ancient times. These twin ponds built around the beginning of the Christian era, in the 'Anuradhapura period' of Ceylon history, are still functional. They are beautifully symmetrical and a pleasure to behold. The work of the ancient stone masons has lasted two millenia.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Summer house, Hakgala Gardens, Sri Lanka.

The Hakgala Gardens lies in the up country of Sri Lanka. It lies just outside Nuwara-Eliya on the road to Welimada. April and August are the times to visit this place when the flower beds are in full bloom. It is relatively cold and mists cover this area very often.