Tuesday, April 7, 2009

An egret on a water buffalo, Kuruwita, Sri Lanka.

Domesticated water buffalos are used extensively in agriculture, from time immemorial in Sri Lanka. Egrets live in symbiosis with the water buffalos. The insects stirred up from the soil by the water baffalos, form an ideal source of food for the egrets. The egrets also pick the ticks from the water buffalos, benefitting the water buffalos. I took this picture on the road to Bopath Ella, the beautiful waterfall, from Kuruwita.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Image of a Bodhisattwa, Maligawila, Sri Lanka.

The history of Mahayana Buddhism has been totally put to the back burner in Sri Lanka. It had and still has a profound influence on Sri Lankan culture. The antagonisms started around the 5th century AD when Abheyagiri Vihara in Anuradhapura was burnt to the ground. Several valuable commentaries were burnt. But Mahayana had its profound influence by the statues at Aukana, Buduruwagala, Maligawila to mention just a few. I took this picture of the restored Bodhisattwa image at Maligawila around the late 1990s.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

A monkey carrying its young one, Gallella, Sri Lanka.

I saw this monkey with it's young one on the Gallella - Rathnapura road, Sri Lanka. They were begging for food by the roadside. I kept the windows of the car up as they could turn aggressive.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Bo-path Ella waterfall, Kuruwita, Sri Lanka.

The Bo-path Ella waterfall is called so because it resembles the leaf of the sacred bo tree (Ficus religiosa). This picture was taken by me on a quiet day when there was a drought.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Selling fruits by the roadside to school children, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

School children like to buy various types of fruits and enjoy them. Here is a picture of a vendor of fruits selling her ware, opposite a school in Avissawella. The fruits for sale are 'gadu-gudha', 'pini jambhu' and 'durian' the latter kept for sale to parents of the children. I hope you recall your school days on seeing this picture.