Walking in the rain - Rathnapura.

A sudden tropical shower came on us while at the 'Saman Dewale', Rathnapura. I took this picture of two devotees going home from the temple in the sheltewr of an umbrella.

Ceylon Hanging parrot and a 'jambu' fruit.

The 'Hanging parrot' comes silently to the jambu tree. It is well camouflaged. One becomes aware of its presence by the chips of the fruit falling on the ground. It hides from view by changing its position when spotted.

Berries on a palm tree, Katharagama.

A parakeet and a 'Jambu' fruit.

Pilgrims to the Poson Perahera, 2010, Tissa.

They come in lorries, 2 wheel tractor trailers, vans, motorbikes, bikes and buses. It is a days outing for them.

Fruits for the Gods, Katharagama.

Devotees coming to the temple of 'Skanda Kumaraya - Murugan' at Katharagama, carry 'Pooja Vatties' to be offerred at the shrine. These are the varieties of fruits for sale to prepare the 'Pooja vatty'.

'Jaya-mangala gatha' singers at a wedding.

A local band in action at a wedding party, Deberawewa.

Bands are hired to entertain the guests at wedding ceremonies in present Sri Lanka. The picture shows a female vocalist belting out a pop song. Note the supporting electronic organ (Yamaha), the 'Tabla' and the 'Octopad'.

Boy on Grandpa's bicycle, Deberawewa.

Wild pea-cock in the garden, Katharagama.

Brides-maids at a wedding, Tissa.

Advice on the inner side of a toilet door in Yala.

Translation of the Sinhalese text - "Do not use this (toilet) like a monkey".

Tree by the road - Thanamalvila.

'Red-wattled lapwing', Yala.

'Black-headed Ibis' at Yala.

A wild elephant lazing near a tank.

Bathing itself in mud in anticipation of the day's heat, this wild elephant was photographed by me at Yala, Sri Lanka.

Bird in a pond, Yala.

A spider's web, Yala.

At the memorial site, Yala.

The site where the Japanese tourists were carried away by the Tsunami of 2004.

'Pattunagala', Yala, where 20 odd Japanese tourists were swept away by the Tsunami of 2004.

 The memorial for the victims.

The Tsunami 0f December 24,2004, caught these Japanese tourists unawares in their place of rest. The building housing them collapsed and 20 of them were swept away into the roaring sea. A large rock named 'Pattunagala' stands sentinel at this site from time immemorial.

Spotted Deer at Yala.