'Dhandu Lena' S, 'Mara Anil' T, Sithulpawwa, Sri Lanka.

Larger than the common garden squirrel, this cuts an impressive figure and is relatively a rare sight in present Sri Lanka.

Sights at Sithulpawwa, Sri Lanka.

The complex of buildings housing the 'Awasa' - Buddhist Monks' residence, 'Dana salaawa' etc.

A rocky climb on a side road.

A rock formation.

A sylvan pool. Note the fence erected to discourage wild elephants.

Sithulpawwa, Sri Lanka.

The Pilgrims rest.

The stupa on the rock.

Some boulders near the entrance to the site.

The entrance to the site. Note the iron girders fencing the area to prevent wild elephants entering the area.

We took a night out at the 'Sirimavo Bandaranaike Pilgrims rest' at Sithulpawwa to see the famous shrine. Microlithic tools used by Homo sapiens has been found nearby and dated about 120,000 years from the present era. Sithulpawwa itself has existed as a human habitation 2200 years before the present era.

'Southern Highway', exit at Mathara, Sri Lanka.

Sights 'Southern Expressway', Sri Lanka.