SRI LANKA - NATURE

"Study nature, stay close to nature,
it will never fail you"

- Frank Lloyd Wright -

Sony DSC - H7

SRI LANKA - LEOPARD

The Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), colloquially known as 

Kotiya (කොටියා) in SinhalaPuli in Tamil, is a subspecies of leopard native to 

Sri Lanka. Classified as Endangered by IUCN, the population is believed to be 

declining due to numerous threats including poaching for trade and human-

leopard conflicts.^[1] and

Due to a nomenclature mishap that occurred in the late 1980s, "kotiyā" has 

now become the colloquial Sinhala term for tiger, and "diviyā" (දිවියා) is used 

for the leopard. See below for more information.

Contents

[hide]

• 1 Description
• 2 Distribution and habitat
• 3 Ecology and behaviour
• 4 Threats
• 5 Conservation
• 6 Misidentification
• 7 References
• 
• 
  
• Source : Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

SRI LANKA - SABARAGAMUWA PROVINCE

The Sabaragamuwa Province, (Sinhala: සබරගමුව පළාත Sabaragamuwa 

Palata, Tamil: சபரகமுவ மாகாணம் Sabaragamuwa Maakaanam) is a 

province of Sri Lanka, and contains two main cities: Ratnapura and Kegalle. 

Sabaragamuwa University is in Belihuloya. It is named after its former 

indigenous inhabitants, namely the Sabara, an indic term for hunter gatherer 

tribes, a term seldom used in ancient Sri Lanka.

Contents

[hide]

• 1 Districts
• 2 Ratnapura
• 3 See also
• 4 References
• 5 External links 
• 
• Source : Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

SRI LANKA - THE KNUCKLES MOUNTAIN RANGE

The Knuckles Mountain Range lies in central Sri Lanka, north-east of the 

city of Kandy. The range takes its name from a series of recumbent folds and

peaks in the west of the massif which resemble the knuckles of clenched fist 

when viewed from certain locations in the Kandy District. Whilst this name 

was assigned by early British surveyors, the Sinhalese residents have 

traditionally referred to the area as Dumbara Kanduvetiya meaning mist-laden 

mountain range (Cooray, 1984). The entire area is characterised by its striking 

landscapes often robed in thick layers of cloud but in addition to its aesthetic 

value the range is of great scientific interest. It is a climatic microcosm of the 

rest of Sri Lanka. The conditions of all the climatic zones in the country are 

exhibited in the massif. At higher elevations there is a series of isolated 

cloud forests, harbouring a variety of flora and fauna, some of which cannot 

be found anywhere else in the world. Although the range constitutes 

approximately 0.03% of the island’s total area it is home to a significantly 

higher proportion of the country’s biodiversity 

• Knuckles Range information and conservation website
• Project Knuckles research expedition website
• Attractions & Trails of Knuckles South - Deanston, Corbett’s 
• Gap & Traditional Villages

Source : Wilipedia the free encyclopedia

SRI LANKA - UVA REBELLION [ AGAINST THE BRITISH ]

The Uva Rebellion, also known as the 'Great Rebellion of 1817-1818' 

(or the 3rd Kandyan War by the British) took place in Ceylon against the British 

colonial government under Governor Robert Brownrigg, which had been contro

lling the formerly independent Udarata (Sinhalese: Up-Country), of which Uva 

was a province. People used to call this Independence Movement by the name 

of the two places where it started: the 'Wellassa Rebellion' and the 'Uva Rebellion'. 

It was the very first struggle for gaining Independence from the British.

It was led by Wilbawe (an alias of Duraisamy, a Nayakkar of Royal blood) and 

Keppetipola Disawe - a leader that the Sinhalese celebrate even today, who 

was sent initially by the British government to stop the uprising. The other 

leaders who supported this Independent Movement are; II Pilima Talauve 

Adikaram, Kohu Kumbure Rate Rala, Dimbulana Disave, Kivulegedara Mohottala, 

Madugalle Disave, Butewe Rate Rala, Galagedara Mohottala, Dambawinna 

Disave and Gode Gedara Adikaram. The Sinhalese were greatly affected by 

the administrative policies of the British and were not used to being ruled 

by a king who lived far away in another continent. This created unrest among 

the local people and the aristocratic Chiefs in the Kandyan Kingdom. Except 

for Molligoda and Ekneligoda, many Chiefs join the rebels. The rebels captured 

Matale and Kandy before Keppetipola fell ill and was captured and beheaded 

by the British. His skull was abnormal - as it was wider than usual - and was 

sent to Britain for testing. It was returned to Sri Lanka after independence, 

and now rests in the Kandiyan Museum. The rebellion failed due to a number 

of reasons. It was not very finely planned among the leaders. The areas 

controlled by some Chiefs who helped the British provided easy transport routes 

for the British to have transactions of food and other necessities. Doraisami 

who was said to have a claim to the sinhalese throne was found not to have 

any relation.

The rebellion was notable for the bloody manner of its suppression, with 'Search 

and Destroy' missions which presaged the Vietnam War. The inhabitants lost 

house, property, livestock and even the salt in their possession during the 

repression. The irrigation systems of the duchies of Uva and Wellassa, hitherto 

the rice-bowl of Sri Lanka, were systematically destroyed. Although, it was 

an Independence Struggle that was led by brave national heroes who wanted 

to see a peaceful country under one flag by even giving away their lives and 

contributing to save our Motherland.

In the 'Journal of Uva,' Herbert White, a British Government Agent in Badulla 

after the rebellion minuted: "It is a pity that there is no evidence left behind 

to show the exact situation in Uva in terms of population or agriculture 

development after the rebellion. The new rulers are unable to come up to 

any conclusion on the exact situation of Uva before the rebellion as there 

is no trace of evidence left behind to come to such conclusions. If thousands 

died in the battle they were all fearless and clever fighters. If one considers 

the remaining population of 4/5 after the battle to be children, women and 

the aged, the havoc caused is unlimited. In short the people have lost their 

lives and all other valuable belongings. It is doubtful whether Uva has at least 

now recovered from the catastrophe.

1. ^ Keppetipola and the Uva Rebellion Virtual Library Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2007-10-01.
2. ^ Uva Wellassa rebellion - 1817 -1818
3. ^ Wellassa riots in 1818
4. ^ Torture tree of the British Army
5. ^ 1818 Uva Wellassa rebellion

Source : Wikipedia the free Encyclopedia

SRI LANKA - SOUTHERN PROVINCE

The Southern Province (Sinhala: දකුණු පළාත Dakunu Palata, Tamil: தென் 

மாகாணம் Thaen Maakaanam) of Sri Lanka is a small geographic area consisting 

of the districts of Galle, Matara and Hambantota. The region is economically 

backward compared to the Western province, where the capital Sri Jayawardena

pura-Kotte is situated. Subsistence farming and fishing is the main source of 

income for the vast majority of the people of this region.Government School 

Education Handled by Southern Provincial Education Department.

Contents  [hide] 1 Districts 2 Landmarks 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

SRI LANKA - CENTRAL PROVINCE

The Central Province (Sinhala: මධ්‍යම පළාත Madhyama Palata, Tamil: 

மத்திய மாகாணம் Malaiyakam Maakaanam) of Sri Lanka consists primarily 

of mountainous terrain. Both the hill capital Kandy and the city of Nuwara 

Eliya are located within the Central Province as well as Sri Pada. The province 

produces much of the famous Ceylon tea, planted by the British in the 

1860s after a devastating disease killed all the coffee plantations in the 

province. Central Province attracts many tourists, with hill station towns 

such as Kandy, Gampola, Hatton and Nuwara Eliya.

Contents  [hide] 1 History 2 Geography 2.1 Climate 3 Demographics 3.1 Ethnicity 4 Administrative divisions 4.1 Districts 4.2 Divisional Secretariats 4.3 Cities 5 See also 6 References 7 Maps 8 External links

SRI LANKA - THE TWIN PONDS OF ANURADHAPURA

Kuttam Pokuna

Contents  [hide] 1 History 2 Dimensions 3 Construction 4 External links

History

One of the best specimens of bathing tanks or pools in ancient Sri Lanka is the 

pair of pools known as "Kuttam Pokuna" (Twin Ponds/Pools). The said pair of 

pools were built by the Sinhalese in the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura. 

These are considered one of the significant achievements in the field of 

hydrological engineering and outstanding architectural and artistic creations 

of the ancient Sinhalese.

Source : Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

SRI LANKA -THE AUKANA BUDDHAA STATUTE

The Avukana statue is a standing statue of the Buddha near Kekirawa in 

North Central Sri Lanka. The statue, which has a height of more than 40 feet 

(12 m), has been carved out of a large granite rock face during the 5th 

century. It depicts a variation of the Abhaya mudra, and the closely worn 

robe is elaborately carved. Constructed during the reign of Dhatusena, it 

may have been made as a result of a competition between a master and a 

pupil. Avukana statue is one of the best examples of a standing statue 

constructed in ancient Sri Lanka. It is now a popular tourist attraction in the 

country.

Contents  [hide] 1 Location and appearance 2 Characteristics 3 Construction 4 Current situation 5 See also 6 References

Source : Wikipedia the free encyclopedia