Zesta tea-shop, Watawala, Sri Lanka.

Photo taken by me a few weeks back.

Tea halt, Watawala, Sri Lanka.

The mist shrouded hills & the flower in the garden, Castlereigh, Sri Lanka.

Planter's bungalow built in 1826, Castelereigh, Dickoya, Sri Lanka.

This planters bungalow built in 1826, is now a guest house. It overlooks the Castelreigh Reservoir built in the 1950s to provide hydro-power. The surrounding tea fields are a beauty. Rooms cost Rs.2500/ per day and meals are extra. Lovely country walks and a peaceful environment are guaranteed. I went for a lunch and rest for one day and took this picture.

Two king-fishers in the garden, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Boats on the Negombo lagoon.

Fishing boats anchored in the Negombo lagoon were a lovely sight on a sunny day when I took this picture from a boat. You can see the mangroves and the egrets perched on the fishing nets stored on the boats.

Canoe with outrigger on the Negombo lagoon, Sri Lanka.

I took this picture from a boat on the Negombo lagoon. Fishing using lead weighted nets is as old as time. The outrigger canoe is again a very old technology going back into the mists of antiquity.

'Nellama' - Fish market - in Duwa, Sri Lanka.

The fish market is called ' Nellama' by the locals in Duwa. I took this picture from a boat in the Negombo lagoon.

Birds nesting in the Negombo lagoon.

Little egrets and crows are seen nesting on a small island in the Negombo lagoon.

Mangroves, Lagoon, Negombo, Sri Lanka.

I took this picture during a boat ride on the Negombo Lagoon. You can see the lush trees (Rhizophora apiculata) encroaching on to the lagoon

Cassia fistula - 'Ehela' - 'Konrai' - in bloom on the Negombo road.

The 'Ehela' or 'Konrai' gives a lovely yellow colour to the tree when in bloom in April-May. The yellow blooms hang in chains. I saw this on the negombo road a few days back. Peradeniya University - Galaha road has a few of these lovely trees.

The lights of Adam's peak- Sri Paada - Sivanoli Paadha Malai,, Ginigathena, Sri Lanka.

It is now the Pilgrim Season to climb Adam's peak in Sri Lanka. I took this picture through the mist of Adam's peak from close to Ginigathena a few days back. You can see the lights along the pilgrims path and the light at the top of the Peak.

A home-garden in Duwa, Negombo, Sri Lanka.

Duwa is an Island at the tip of Negombo. It is about 26 acres in extent. It is full of houses and well kept gardens. It has the Indian Ocean on it's west side and the Negombo Lagoon on it's east side. I took a picture of this beautiful garden when we visited friends a few days back.

Steam driven road roller of the 1950s, Sri Lanka.

In my boyhood I would spend hours watching a road roller at work. My ambition in life at that time was to become a driver of a steam road roller.

'Udarata Menike' at Pilimathalawa. Sri Lanka.

The 'observation car' of the Udarata Menike is an ideal spot to admire the scenic beauty of Sri Lanka in aiur-conditioned comfort. This is the last bogey in the day express running from Colombo to Badulla.

Cherry blossoms, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

It is cherry blossom ( Toboebia roesa) time in Sri Lanka now. The trees are in full bloom. A pinkish carpet covers the bottom of the trees and a blaze of pink and purple greets the wayfarer. I took this photo a few days back on the Peradeniya road near the bridge over the Mahaweli Ganga.

Moat in front of the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The entrance to the 'Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka, has a moat with fish and tortoises swimming in it. It has a sense of serenity accentuated by the architectural design of the wall of the moat. I tried to convey that sense in this photograph.

The arch bridge at Pilimathalawa, Sri Lanka.

The construction of a road to Kandy by the British was a very ardous task. After the climb up Kadugannawa various streams had to be crossed before the crossing of the Mahawely at Peradeniya. This was an arch bridge constructed at Pilimathalawa. Note the Sinhalised spelling of Edward Barnes on the name board.

"The Audience Hall, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The 'Audience Hall' of the last Kings of the Kandyan Kingdom, is situated just behind the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy. It is a beautiful building built in the Kandyan Architectural tradition. The space inside is open and airy. A few years back the Supreme court sessions were held there.

Cherry blossoms in front of the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The violet-pink cherry blossoms seen with a background of a blue sky, and the pink carpet of wilted flowers on the ground make a beautiful sight. This photo was taken in front of the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, Sri Lanka a few days back by me.