Discover-SriLanka

DISCOVER - SRI LANKA: PROLOGUE

IN PRAISE OF MY BEAUTIFUL ISLAND,

INFORMATION, PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO.

THE 13th CENTURY VENETIAN TRAVELER MARCO POLO DESCRIBED THE ISLAND AS 'THE JADE PENDANT IN THE INDIAN OCEAN'. THE ABUNDANCE OF GEMSTONES, SPICES, RAIN FORESTS AND WILDLIFE; THE MAGNIFICENT BEACHES, ANCIENT RUINS AND A WRITTEN HISTORY OF OVER 2500 YEARS MAKE THIS ISLAND A TOURISTS' PARADISE.

THE RUINED CITIES OF ANURADHAPURA AND POLONNARUWA ILLUSTRATE THE GLORY OF THE ANCIENT KINGDOMS. THE GIGANTIC STUPAS AND BUDDHA STATUES ARE AMONG THE BIGGEST MAN MADE STRUCTURES OF THE WORLD. THE MASSIVE RESERVOIRS, BUILT BY ANCIENT KINGS TO IRRIGATE THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF LAND, ARE MARVELS OF HYDRO ENGINEERING. THERE ARE EIGHT UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN SRI LANKA

THE ISLAND WAS KNOWN TO THE GREEKS AS 'TAPROBANE' AND TO THE ARABS AS 'SERENDIB'. EARLY MERCHANTS VISITED THE ISLAND IN SEARCH OF GEMSTONES AND SPICES, MAINLY CINNAMON AND PEPPER. COFFEE AND TEA PLANTATIONS WERE STARTED BY THE BRITISH COLONIAL RULERS. CEYLON TEA IS FAMOUS THE WORLD OVER.

TOURISM INDUSTRY IS A MAJOR MONEY SPINNER FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL ISLAND. THE VAST EXPANSE OF BEACHES, RAIN FORESTS AND NATIONAL PARKS WITH HERDS OF WILD ELEPHANTS, THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS WITH LITHE WATER FALLS, BRING IN THE TOURISTS. THE ISLAND IS DOTTED WITH HUNDREDS OF HOTELS TO ACCOMMODATE THE TRAVELER. AN ISLAND OF 25,000 SQ; MILES HAS 103 RIVERS AND 25000 RESERVOIRS, MOSTLY MAN MADE. WITH VARYING CLIMATIC CONDITIONS THIS IS TRULY A 'SMALL MIRACLE'.

" THE ISLAND OF SRI LANKA IS A SMALL UNIVERSE, IT CONTAINS AS MANY VARIATIONS OF CULTURE, SCENERY AND CLIMATE AS SOME COUNTRIES A DOZEN TIMES ITS SIZE........I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ANY COUNTRY WHICH SCORES SO HIGHLY IN ALL DEPARTMENTS - WHICH HAVE SO MANY ADVANTAGES AND SO FEW DISADVANTAGES. LOVELY BEACHES, BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES, IMPRESSIVE RUINS, A VIBRANT CULTURE AND CHARMING PEOPLE- NO WONDER SRI LANKA IS A SMALL MIRACLE ".***** Arthur C. Clark *****

21 November, 2011

SRI LANKA - CHAMELEON [ CAMOUFLAGE ]

Chameleons have the ability to change color according to mood or prevaling circumstances.

Pics : Nelsonlanka

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18 November, 2011

SRI LANKA - ANTIQUES

Civil disputes were solved by the provincial Chieftains appointed by the Government Agents in colonial Ceylon during the British era. Photograph shows a dais used by a presiding Chieftain in a Provincial Court House.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

Photoshoot co-ordinated by : Udumbara Mapitigama

16 November, 2011

SRI LANKA - ELEPHANTS [ DISPLAY OF AFFECTION ]

Living in herds, friendly interactions among elephants is a common sight. Elephants show affection by gentle rumbling and 'touching' with their trunks.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

Sony DSC H7

15 November, 2011

SRI LANKA - FLOWERS

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

Sony DSC H7

13 November, 2011

SRI LANKA - ANTIQUES [ DUTCH FURNITURE ]

Ebony has a very high density and will sink in water, this high density lends a fine smooth finish to any ornamental object made of this wood of high value. The intricately carved furniture belong to the Dutch period of Ceylon.

Pics by courtesy : Asoka

10 November, 2011

SRI LANKA - RELIGIOUS EVENTS [ KATINA CEREMONY ]

Every year after the full moon in October a Katina Ceremony is held in Buddhist temples to express gratitude to the monks by the laity. Devotees, dressed in white, participate in a procession taking offerings mainly new robes for the monks.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

Sony DSC H7

SRI LANKA - PHILATELY [ NATURE ]

The Sinharaja forest reserve depicted in the stamps is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve. The hilly virgin forest with a dense vegetation is home to many species of birds, reptiles and frogs.