Asian open-bill, Weliveriya, Sri Lanka.

Large flocks of birds gather in paddy-fields being plowed. I saw this beautiful sight at a roadside paddy field in Weliveriya on the Kaduwela Gampaha road. I picked out this Asian open-bill among them in this photograph.

Stray cattle, Durampitiya, Sri Lanka.

Stray cattle on the roads are a regular road hazard, in Sri Lanka. The owners let the cattle roam throughout the day, seeking fodder. They return to the owners home in the evenings. I took this picture on the Rathnapura road.

Chandeliar - Mount Lavinia Hotel, Sri Lanka

Decorative brass bowl, Sri Lanka.

Antique cupboard, Mount Lavinia Hotel, Sri Lanka.

It is claimed that it was the Portuguese who introduced the art of furniture making into Sri Lanka. It is hard to believe this, when one finds the exquisite designs seen in the stone carvings in the Sri Lanka of ancient days. Furniture made of quality timber like ebony and mahogany, with inlays of ivory and brass are items treasured in rich Sri Lankan house-holds, up to the present time. It is a tradition nowadays, for the bride's parents to donate items of furniture to a newly married couple, to start their new home.
I took the above picture of an item of antique furniture, placed in the lobby of the Mount Lavinia Hotel, Sri Lanka.