Tuesday, March 20, 2012

'Omanthai' railway bridges, Sri Lanka.


The brand new railway bridge, grey in color, put up by aid from the Government of India, is seen next to the old steel bridge put up by the British Colonial Government nearly a century ago, in this picture. 

Monday, March 19, 2012

Transporting firewood, A9 highway, Vavuniya, Sri Lanka.

In these days of high Kerosene and LP gas prices, firewood for the kitchens in urban areas is in high demand. This is a way of transporting firewood.
Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ibiXwXooUc

Saturday, March 17, 2012

'Mihinthale', Sri Lanka.


'Mihinthale', a few Kilometers from the ancient city of Anuradhapura, has a strong religio-historical tradition in Sri Lanka. It was the hillock on which the King Devanampiya Tissa out on a deer hunt, met the son of King Asoka - the Rev. Mahinda. After an oral IQ test which was administered to Tissa and which Tissa passed, he was given instructions in Buddhist philisophy. This happened more than 2000 years ago. This place is a place of pilgrimage to Buddhists in the Island.
The Rev. Mahinda later an 'Arahant'  was born to a lady of the 'Vaisya' (trader) cast, when the young Asoka was the Governor of Ujjain (present Bombay,) during Asoka's fathers reign. Mahinda's mother could never become the Queen, because of the difference in caste. But Asoka the Emperor did not forget his son in Ujjain. When he started his missionary activities he chose his son the now Rev.Mahinda to lead the mission to the distant and famous Isle of Sri Lanka. There he became a legend in the establishment and propagation of Buddhism.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Double bridge and the highway to Badulla - A4 - Sri Lanka.

 Two bridges the old and the new on the widened Badulla road past Belihul Oya on the A4 highway.