'Chinese pots' om the new breakwater,Hambanthota.

Concrete structures called 'Chinese pots' and each weighing between 7 to 12 tons are seen on the new breakwater at the Hambanthota Port, Sri Lanka.

A 'kalagedi' dance, Sri Lanka.

A wayside boutique, Sooriyawewa, Sri Lanka.

I took this photo of a wayside boutique at Sooriyawewa in the Hambanthota district of Sri Lanka. With a large population on the move on pilgrimages throughout the year, these eating houses cater to a variety of needs of the travellers.

Watering a field, Sooriyawewa.

On a hot day with an approaching drought it is necessary to water the fields using a diesel pump. The water is pumped from a water channel emerging from the Sooriyawewa tank.. I took this picture in February, 2010.

Bevy of girls welcoming a guest, Sri Lanka.

A group of dancing girls welcoming a guest with dancing and drum beat is a common one in many functions. I took this picture in Avissawella of girls waiting to receive a guest.

'China-pots' Concrete structures for the new break-water, Hambanthota, Sri Lanka.

Large concrete structures each weighing 7 to 12 tons are made, and placed over the rock dumped into the sea to form a stable 'break-water'. This is being done at the new port being constructed at Hambanthota, Sri Lanka, by the Peoples Republic of China.

Water exit channel from 'Sooriyawewa', Sri Lanka.

Water to irrigate the fiels of paddy, plantain and vegetable crops are sent froim the rain catchment of 'Sooriyawewa' in the Hambanthota district of Sri Lanka. I took a picture of one of these channels.

Hambanthota beach next to the new harbour.

 Hambanthota might easily become the next capital of Sri Lanka. With the Chinese constructed harbour, the international airport, a brand new conferance hall and enough room to expand unlike Colombo this will become a reality. These pictures taken by me show the sandy beach of Hambanthota with its rolling waves might easily become a massive tourist complex. Land values there are now about Rs.3 lakhs an acre but will zoom up in next to no time.

Foot-path leading to the beach at Hambanthota.

A sandy footpath leading to the Hambanthota beach is seen in this picture I took in February 2010. You can see the cactus and casuarina trees lining the foot path.

Storage tank to harvest rain water, Sooriyawewa.

 

Drinking water is a commodity much in demand in the arid southern regions of the Uva Province in Sri Lanka.
Rain water harvesting is being promoted in a big way. A cement tank as shown in the picture collects water from the roof of the house during rain. It holds about 4500 litres. The chief occupant of the house told me that it cost them Rs.25,000/- to construct this tank. It supplies drinking water for about a month if there is no rain after the tank gets full.

Road on the 'Uda Walawe Reservoir' bund, Sri Lanka.

There is a short-cut from Embilipitiya to Thanamalwila on the road to Katharagama from Rathnapura. You pass the elephant orphanage on the Embilipitiya side, then you cross this dam and further on you would always see wild elephants on the other side of an electric fence. This road borders the 'Uda Walawe Nature reserve'.

Pompadour Green Pigeon, Katharagama, Sri Lanka.

I was staying in a guest house at Katharagama road on 28/2/2010. I took this picture in the compound of the guest house.

Blue-tailed bee eater, Saman Dewale, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

Pooja time Sella Kathirkaamam, Sri Lanka.

The ceremonial 'Vel' is anointed and the bells are being rung during the pooja at 'Sella Kathirkaamam'.

Statuets for sale, Sella Katharagama, Sri Lanka

These statuettes carved out of a variety of wood including sandalwood, represent the various Gods of the Hindu Pantheon.

A tree at Sella Katharagama - S, 'Sella Kathirkaamam' - T, Sri Lanka.

'Sella Katharagama' - S, or 'SellakKathirkaamam' - T, is a very holy shrine of 'Skanda Kumaraya' or 'Murugan'. Vehicle number plates are offerred to this tree as a vow to protect the vehicle and its occupants. The tree is next to the temple and the stream of 'Menik Ganga' or 'Maanicca Gangai'.

From the bund of the 'Suriyawewa', Sri Lanka.

On the road from Hambanthota to Embilipitiya we come to Sooriyawewa. It is a large lake with a high earthen bund. It supplies water for irrigation. I took this picture from the earthen bund.

Paddy and plantain field, Sooriyawewa, Sri Lanka.

The road from Katharagama to Tiisa.

The road from Katharagama to Tissa is a well paved highway now. I took this picture on 29/2/2010

Flowers of Rubrerosia - Nawalapitiya,

The flowers of the 'Ruberosia' are in bloom in Kandy and Nawalapitiya now. This picture was taken by Queenie in Nawalapitiya on a Samsung 12 Meg camera.

Husked coconuts for sale, Sellakatharagama - S, Sellakathirgamam - T , Sri Lanka.

Husked coconuts are smashed in front of the temple as a ritual in the Saiva-Hindu tradition. This is said to symbolise the breaking of the hard shell of the ego in a devotee to get at the sweetness of the kernal inside. Note the clay wick lamps with yellow coloured ghee for burning as an offering at the temple. Notice also the incense sticks for sale..

Road over the bund, Tissa, Sri Lanka.

I took this picture of two cyclists riding on the highway over the bund of the lake in Tissa. You can see the Bird Island on the far right with egrets nesting on the trees. The cone shaped hill in the horizon is 'Vedahiti Kanda' - S, 'Kathiramalai' - T.

Dagoba, Tissa, Sri Lanka.

Dagoba, paddy field and watchman's hut, Tissa, Sri Lanka. Photo taken by Queenie on a Samsung 12 Megapixel camera.

'Pheasant-tailed Jacana' in breeding plumage, Tissa, Sri Lanka.

The Jacana comes out in beautiful breeding plumage as you see in this picture. It is a marsh bird and walks on the lotus and water lily leaves. I took this picture near Tissa on 28/2/2010 on my Fuji Finepix S 1500 using a 12X zoom.

'Pooja vattys' at Sella-Katharagama, Sri Lanka.

Each 'pooja vatty' - an offering to the God contains, a bunch of ripe plantains, a coconut, wood-apple fruit, a lime, melon fruit, betel leaves, camphor, incense sticks and a plastic garland. These cost Rs.300/- upwards.

Trinket seller, Saman Dewale, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan Paradise Fly-Catcher

Asian Paradise fly-catcher, Male.

Photo taken by me on a Fuji Finepix S 1500 on 28/2/2010, at Katharagama, Sri Lanka.