Thursday, April 30, 2015

Fruits on a decorative Palm tree, Home garden, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.



The Common Mynah and Koil are two birds who visit this tree to eat the flesh of these fruits.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

The 'Daehaeth Vattiya' - Betel tray, Sri Lanka.


I came across this poster in a 'Pansala'.
It is traditional to welcome a distinguished guest arriving at a home of a Sinhalese, with a wicker or brass tray containing betel leaves, arecanut, dried tobacco leaves and lime. This tray was called 'Daehaeth Vattiya'. This was the equivalent of offering a cup of tea to a guest.
Arecanut, tobacco and lime are implicated in cancer of the oral cavity.
The above poster is a media campaign to eliminate these items from the tray and replace them with other spices.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Drip irrigation, Kaluaggala, Sri Lanka.

Drip faucet watering a Gerbera flower plant.

Drip sprayer inside an orchid house

Water tank, pump and filter.

Timer to control the water pump.
Drip irrigation was a technique pioneered by Israel in the water scarce country. The theory was that water sent in as drips, close to the root of any plant was utilised more efficiently. There was less water loss by evaporation or seeping into adjoining soil.