Mihintale ,The Sacred Hill Review by Mr.Bell

Mihinthale is the medina of Sinhalese Buddhist’s ; this sacred hill rising eight miles east of the city, was the sense of king Tissa’s meeting with the great apostle & his consequent conversion.

But though this alone would cause it to be the goal of thousands of pilgrims, still more sacred to the average Buddhist does it become from the fact that the bones of the missionary rest here on one of the highest plateau.

As in all other stories, told of the beginning of Buddhism, so in this one legend & chronicle are interwoven. On the very summit of the great hill is pointed out the boulder on which monk “Mahinda (Mihindu) “ alighted after his miraculous fight from India to convey the good tidings, and here as story relates with probable truth, it was where king Tissa, in pursuit of the Elk-Sambhur are called “Elk” to this day in Ceylon-encountered the stronger & listened to him.

The run of eight miles from Anuradhapura is a mere nothing to those possessed of a motor-car, & part of the way may be followed along the bund of Nuwara-Wewa; by horse & trap, supplied from the hotel, it takes longer naturally & by bullock hackery lomgest of all. There is also a motor coach going to Trincomalee everyday, & this passes Mihintale, but it is runs in the beat of the day, it is not very desirable;  the fareis five rupees each way : the hotel trap costs eleven rupees both ways, allowing for staying a night. What ever arrangement is made, a night should be spent at the very rough little rest house if possible. As the only time for climbing the hill in comfort is early or late, a day excursion does not leave sufficient time.

The direct road to Mihinthale is singularly uninteresting & devoid of shade ; it is jungle-lined almost the whole way, but the trees are mostly of no great height & have been cut back many yards on each side of the track to interfere with the playful little habits of jungle beasts who used to leap out on unwary passer-by, & even on the coach not far from the nuwara wewa, near Anuradhapura station, is the ruined monastery of Toluwila, a coined name, for nothing is known as to the past history of the place. It is indeed of no great interest, though the plan follows recognized lines & is especially clear in definition.

The whole eight miles between the sacred hill & the royal city were once covered by a carpet by order of king Bathikabhaya (19B.C) (The king who entered the relic-chamber at Ruwanweli) so that the pilgrims might pass from one to the other without soiling their feet. The wonder of this fact is naturally felt with greater or less force according to whether the road has been traversed in a bullock-cart or a motor car.

Mihinthale is not seen until we are actually there, stopping at the rest house (second class) where the keeper should be notified beforehand if meals or accommodation are required.

Next to the rest house is the P.W.D Bunglow & just beyond it’s compound a path leaves the main road & strikes across to the top end of the small bazzar. Another path from here leads on across the road. This is exceedingly pretty, running through cleared out (1910) woodland it passes on the right a hospital or dispensary with  a stone “Medicine- Boat” (This is one of the only tree on such receptacles hitherto discovered in Ceylon) being a slab hollowed out like the human figure. From an inscription on one of the guard stones the conjecture as to this being a hospital is confirmed, the inscription (translation) begins, “ for the benefits of the hospital”, and ends “ any-one who tales by force what has been provided for this (hospital) will become a got slaying rakkhasa a terrible curse ! a little father on the left are the ruins of vihara.

The first flight of stone steps bursts on one with the beauty of a dream fulfilled, stairways leading to heaven! Just such a version must that have been seen by Jacob. Overhanging trees throw green shadows on the worn stone, & the shifting golden lights between may well be taken for the angel visitants for twenty centuries or more the uncovered feet of innumerable dark multitudes have ascended & descended, their owners filled with reverent awe, & seeing vision as surely as did Jacob-vision of the mighty Buddha over shadowing the island with his presence & of Mahina, hrs apostle, alighting on the topmost crag which towers up in to the azure sky far overhead.

This is difficult to see more that a short way in front, but the top of the flight reveals a precipitous crag on the right heavily draped in foliage, crowned by a tottering dagaba of ruined brick, called Giribandha, which can be reached by a worn & steep path. In the cave below there is an important in scription signifying; cave dedicated to the community by the noble Asili son of the righteous king Gamini.

Not many visitors ascend this Eyre. They usually pass on to the second flight of steps & thence to another, above which, on a flattish terrace, are several ruins. On the left the first seen is of fair size & contains two specimens of stone canoes. This is knows as the “Alms Hall” & was doubt less the refectory for the monks living around.

“On the north side of the quadrangle is an elongated room, feet in length, brick walled & shut off from the kitchens. This was probably the actual “ sale a manager” where meals were served” (1910 ii report)

Just a little above it is a small vihara with mighty inscribed slabs, “tables of stone” of the time of Mahinda iv (A.D 975) bearing a detailed records of temple privileges & regulations.

Right across the track is a third building very small, known as the halfway house, once a Mandapaya or entrance hall or porch. Turning right from this a little path leads down words beside s dressed terrace wall ; to one of the wonders of Mihintale, an open air bath, much carved, where a most robust & pugnacious lion, ramping on his hind legs, holds up the stone work. Alas, he faces north-east & is so hemmed in by trees it is impossible to get a good photograph. Three attempts proved failures & his majesty must remain unrepresented in this book. The stone bath itself has been carefully resorted, & has a fringe on interesting carvings around it. Mr.Bell says of it “there is probably no more handsome specimen of bold artist work of its kind in granite to be found in Ceylon than this finely conceived piece of sculpture. 

Sinhalese Traditional Sweets

Kokis

Kokis is a deep-fried, crispy and sweet Sri Lankan dish made from rice flour and coconut milk. Although considered as a traditional Sri Lankan dish, it is believed to have come from the Dutch. This is an important dish when celebrating Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

Although kokis is considered as a traditional Sri Lankan dish, it is believed to be of Dutch origin, from the time when parts of the country were under Dutch rule during the mid-17th century to the late 18th century. Its name may have been derived from the word koekjes meaning cookies or biscuits in the Dutch language. The Swedish Rosette (cookie) & Persian Bamiyeh would be the most identical dishes for Sri Lankan Kokis.

Sinhalese people prepare and consume a number of traditional dishes, including kokis, to celebrate their new year in mid-April. These are traditionally prepared by the women of the household, usually a few days before the New Year. Nowadays however, they are made mostly by older women, as many people of the younger generation lack the time or the skill and knowledge required to make them due to their busy lifestyles.

Konda Kavum

Konda Kavum is one of the most popular traditional sweets from Sri Lanka. It needs some skill to cook konda kavum, specially to cook Konda Kavum with a nice shape. This oil cake/kavum has a top part and it is said ‘konda’ (in Sinhala, konda means hair and this top part is similar to a bun of hair) We Sri Lankans celebrate New Year in April. Mostly it falls around 12-14 of April each year and this is a festival we enjoy much. All the traditional dishes get highest place on festive tables and Konda Kavum is one of those sweets.

Kalu Dodol

Kalu dodol is a sweet dish, a type of dodol that is popular in Sri Lanka. The dark and sticky dish consists mainly of kithul jaggery (from the sap of the toddy palm), rice flour and coconut milk. Kalu dodol is a very difficult and time-consuming dish to prepare. The Hambanthota area is famous for the production of this dish.

The Hambanthota area in southern Sri Lanka is famous for kalu dodol, and is sometimes referred to as the kalu dodol capital. The kalu dodol industry is a major source of income for many people in the area. The kalu dodol shops in Hambanthota are frequently visited by pilgrims coming to visit the nearby holy town of Kataragama.

Kalu dodol is believed to have been introduced to Sri Lanka by Malay migrants, perhaps from Indonesia. It has also been attributed to the Portuguese, who occupied parts of the country during the 16th and 17th centuries. With the introduction of artificial ingredients in recent times, the preparation of kalu dodol has occasionally deviated from the traditional recipes.

Kalu dodol, along with other traditional sweets, is commonly prepared and consumed in celebration of the Sinhala New Year. As the process of making the dish is difficult and time consuming, nowadays most people don't make kalu dodol themselves, instead preferring to buy it from shops.

To make the dish, the kithul jaggery and thin coconut milk is mixed and boiled in a large pan until the mixture is reduced to half the original amount. The rice flour, thick coconut milk and the rest of the ingredients are then added. It is necessary to continuously stir the mixture while simmering, to prevent it from burning and sticking to the pan. The oil that floats to the surface of the mixture must also be repeatedly removed. Once the mixture becomes thick, it is poured into a tray, pressed, and left to cool.This labour-intensive process can take up to nine hours. The firm kalu dodol is cut into pieces before serving.

Bentota

Facing the Indian Ocean, a tropical lagoon and a major river Bentota offers water sports possibilities nowhere else to be found.Apart from swimming, body-surfing or diving in the sea, you can jet-ski, windsurf, parasail or enjoy a romantic river safari on the river and lagoon.

Being one of the most established beach resorts in Sri Lanka, Bentota is known for its professional touristic infrastructure.The many 5* hotels are often build in fantastic locations and even if you don't stay there drop in for a tea and enjoy the scenery.

But Bentota is not only 5*. You still can find many mid-range and budget places along the river or the southern beaches.

Especially for families Bentota is a well sought after destination.Safe swimming conditions combined with fun water sport and exciting excursions are providing for the ideal background for a relaxed holiday in Sri Lanka.

Bentota, Sri Lanka is 90 km from Sri Lanka's international airport and 60 km from Colombo.

The East Coast

The best know town in the East Coast of Ceylon is Trincomalee. It is as the mouth of the Mahaweli River. Ceylon’s longest river, and has, as mentioned earlier, one of the best natural harbors in the world. At the time it was captured by the British from the Dutch, Trincomalee was described as “ The Finest & Most Advantageous bay in the whole” if India in which is a whole fleet many safely ride & remain in tranquility to bay which is of such importance to the English that is assures their sovereignty over the west of India & places them in a position to defend their possession against all European powers. Admiral Lord Nelson who as a midshipman visited Trincomalee in the seventeen seventies, On H.M.S seahorse, called it “The Finest Harbor in the world”

Trincomalee was also the back-door through which the Dutch, Danes, French & British established contact with the Sinhalese king when the western coast was controlled by the Portuguese & Dutch. It was hear that the Dutchman de Boschower landed & remained to be a friend of king Senarath of Kandy. Returning to Europe & haring failed to get his own government to come to the aid of the Sinhalese in their efforts to over throw the Portuguese, he persuaded the Danes to send a naval mission to Ceylon, under the 24 years old ambassador Ove Gedde, which landed at Trincomalee. The Portuguese built a fort where the temple of a thousand columns stood, & held it for fourteen years.

The Dutch took Trincomalee in 1639, planning in what is still known as Dutch Bay. In 1672, the French occupied a couple of island in the bay. The Dutch recaptured the island &held Trincomalee for the next 110 years. The English emissary John Pybus landed in Kottiyar, south of Trincomalee, in 1762 & visited the king of the kandy. It was the first fort to fall to the English in 1795.

Trincomalee is 265.53km from Colombo by road, there is also a train service. Today many refer to go by air from Colombo. From Anuradhapura the town is 106.21km by a good road. At one time & especially during the second world war, Trincomalee was an important naval station. A good deal of Ceylon tea is now shipped through the Trincomalee harbor.

There are god hotel & rest houses. There are several island in the harbor, the chief of which, Sober Island, is a popular resort for picnics. Swami Rocks, 121.92m high, was once the site of a Hindu temple. Here may be seen a monument to Francina Van Rhode, the daughter of a Dutch official who tradition says, became engaged to an officer &, on his sailing away, flung herself in to the sea. The ancient “Koneswaram” temple has been recently resorted.

The main road & the railway track from “Polonnaruwa” join the east coast passing a group of small towns before reaching Batticaloa, the administrative capital of the Eastern in province. At Gal Oya (Gal Brook) junction (not to be confused with Gal Oya of the river valley scheme much further south) the railway branches to Trincomalee & Batticaloa. Before reaching “Chenkaladi” the road passes several interesting tanks or lakes. Particularly Vakaneri, with abundant bird life. About 48.28km island we passes Maha Oya (Maha Brook) 4.0km. From the Maha Oya , at Kanniyai, are the beast known hot springs in Ceylon. Same springs are so hot that you could boil an egg in the water. Others are cooler. From one cold water flows. A small cement canal has been built a anyone who cares to can mix cold with hot baths. The spring are named according to the legend, after kanniyai, the mother of the prehistoric king, Ravana.

There is a small “Veddha “ (Trapper) village near Maha Oya. Veddhas descendants of aborigines who live in the jungles, come to a fair at Maha Oya which is held on Wednesday, to sell honeys, & forest products.      

From the low ground around the “Vakaneri” tank rises impressively in the distance the towering mass of granite traditionally called “Dimbul-Gaha” but also named Gunner’s Quoin. It is said to have been the principal quarry which supplied the stone for many images. Pillars steps of the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa. There is an air service to Batticaloa. Whence “Valachenai”  & “Kalkudah” can be reached easily. Ceylon’s first paper factory is at Valachenai. Kalkudah, 4.02km from the “Gal Oya” railway junction, has excellent sea bathing & a good couple of hotels and rest house. It is the landing place for Batticaloa during the north east monsson..

Batticaloa itself is an old Dutch town with ruins of a fort close to the present rest house. Admiral Joris Van Spliberger landed here about in 1602 & made his way to Kandy via “Mahiyanganaya”. The Sinhalese name for Batticaloa is “ Madakalapuwa, or Muddy Lagoon”. It is muddy but when the moon is out one may bear the singing fish. The beat place to here them singing is about the centre of the lagoon bridge on the road to the south. A rescoring has been made from the bridge, six or seven different pitches being heard.

The railway ends at Batticaloa but the coastal road continues south passing small towns such as “Kalmunai” & “Akkaraipattu” until “Arugam Bay” is reached. The beaches of the east coast are broad & sunny. Arugam Bay itself, 109.43km south of Batticaloa, has a fine sea front & facilities for bathing while good sport is had in the forest that comes down to the sea. There is a very good circuits bungalow at Arugam Bay, especially built & equipped for tourists. 16.09km from Arugam Bay , if you take the road inland you come to “Lahugala” where every day large herds of elephants in their natural state may be seen.

From “Kalmunai” to “Gal Oya” valley multi-purpose scheme is but a short distance through a vast expanse of fertile paddy fields. The scheme controls a 99.78km river called the “ Gal Oya” with a catchment of 181300sq m receiving 190.5cm to 254cm for rain annually. It serves three main purposes, namely, irrigation, food control & the generation of hydroelectric power. The construction of the main Dam at “Inginiyagala” the spillway, the hydro-electric power station, & the first twelve miles of the principal channels that carry water from the reservoir was completed by an American firm of engineers, Morrison- Knudsen international co. in 1953. The reservar was filled to elevation 76.2m. in 1952 & was named “Senanayaka Samudraya after the man who promoted the scheme , the Hon’ble D.S Senanayaka, first prime minister of Ceylon. It has a water spread of 7270sqm, & at full supply level a short-line 96.56km long. It irrigates about 485625200sq m of land in the Gal Oya valley. Mr.J.S Kennady one time director of irrigation, was mainly responsible for the technical formulation of the scheme.

The country around has an ancient history. An inscribed pillar discovered near “Amparai”, the chief town in the valley, shoes that it was set up in the 10^th century in the regin of a king named “Duppula iv” (A.D 924-935) it names the district Digavapa mandala    & throws light on the area as it was a thousand five hundred years ago.

There are two good rest houses “Inginiyagala”, on the banks of the lake and “Amparai” ,a busy market town. There are thousands of colonist settlements scattered over the valley. The river valley board itself carries on certain industries, such as sugar plantations, a sugar mill, manufacture of potable spirits & boat-building. The hardy institute provides a training in various technical fields. At “Dighavapi” there is an ancient Buddhist temple which is being excavated & resorted by the archaeological department. The administrative centre is at “Uhana”, not far from the aerodrome.

The flight from Colombo takes less than an hour. One on the chief attraction of Gal Oya is the bird life in the lake which has been declared a protected area. A trip round the lake in a motor boat takes one near the jungle & it is sometimes possible to pick out elephant, wild buffalo & deer. On the eastern side of the valley there is a very good circuit bungalow at “Ekgal Aru” with lovely views.   

A Taste Of Rice & Curry

When in Sri Lanka, you eat what the Sri Lankan eat, Rice & Curry. Although western influence has crept into the plate of the people in Colombo & the island’s other large towns, villagers in the more remote areas still continue to eat the traditional three plates of rice a day-said to give them health, strength & energy. It is a popular belief if you forego any of your daily portion, you will become weak & lethargic.

On the whole, the food here, like that of so many other southeast. Asian countries has absorbed much from it’s traders & conquerors. The island’s rich heritage of indigenous dishes has been enhanced by the Dutch, Portuguese, British, Malays, Arab & South Indians, who passed through this beautiful country leaving behind their own recipes, spices herbs & methods of cooking.

Some old Dutch & Portuguese foods like bolo fiado (Laminated Cake) brocder ( Dutch Christmas Cake) & boroa (Semolina Biscuits) are now a very much a part of the Sri Lankan cuisine.

Other ethnic groups have made their own special contribution like the Muslim Biriyani (Special rice cooked in meat stock) & Wattalappam ( Coconut Milk Pudding) & the Tamil Thosai (pancakes) & Vade (Special Doughnuts)  

Rice and Curry Curry & Rice

Rice & curry, however, still comprises the main meal in almost every Sri Lanka. Household. A complete meal of rice & curry consists generally of a plate full of rice with spoonfuls of various curries & sambola heaped upon it.

Curries come in a variety colors & flavors. As all Sri Lankan meat, fish, vegetables & even eggs are curried. They are named after their seasonings rather than their main ingredients.

Curries are cooked in coconut milk. The white kernel of the coconut is grated with a “Hiramanaya” ( A Serrated metal disc fixed on a wooden bench) mixed with a little water then squeezed, yielding a first squeezing called the “Mitikiri” ( Thick Milk) & two subsequent squeezing of “ Diyakiri” (Thin Milk)

The quantities of thick & thin milk to be use during preparation differ according to whether you want your curry to be mild, creamy, thick, thin or dry. There are creamy white curries (Non Spicy), brown curries (Using row curry powder), bright red curries (Fiery hot with plenty of pounded dried red chilies) and black curries which appeal more to the taste buds than the vision.

Most Sri Lankan house wives make their own curry powder,  as the ready – mixed ones in the market are offer adulterated, curry powder is a roasted & ground mix of fennel seed. Coriander, Cumin, Turmeric, black & red pepper, Mustard, Cardamom, Cloves, Curry & Bay leaves, Cinnamon, Fenugreek & a little raw rice.

Traditionally, food was cooked in a clay pots ( Chatty )over a glowing wood fire. This method gives curried a rich, subtle, earthy flavor. Metal pans. However, are fast replacing the chatty today.

With the curries comes “Mallung”, a mild & nutritive addition to the diet. It is made of finely shredded green vegetables & ( In some areas) dried shrimps, mixed with grated coconut & spices.

Spicy Sambols

Sambola is a very popular dish among locals, though foreigners mat find the dish too hot & spicy for their tongues. This dish is commonly known as “ Rice Puller” as it, whets the appetite of those used to spicy foods. Pol Sambola ‘( Coconut Sambola) one of the most popular of sambols, is a simple preparation of grated coconut & plenty of red pepper , onions, lime, salt & slivers of Maldives fish. Maldives fish is a hard, fermented son dried fillet of tuna that enhance the falvor of the polsambol. 

Yapahuwa - A kingdom of Ancient Lanka

An ancient fortress and capital built in 1301, approximately 145 km. from Colombo, Yapahuwa is a rock rising to a height of 90 metres.There are many traces of ancient battle defences, but the biggest showpiece is its ornamental stairway. The steps of this stairway are narrow and need to be manoeuvered sideways. According to historians this may be a form of defence as the steps can neither be ascended or descended hastily. Thus it paved the way for those at the top to arm themselves against an enemy onslaught. 

At the top of the stairway is a large stone doorway flanked by thick walls and two exquisitely carved windows. During early excavations one window was found in fragments while the other called the Sivumeduru Kawuluwa (perforated palace window) is well preserved. At present it is in the archaeological museum situated at the entrance to the rock fortress. This marvellous piece of work is a slab of stone four feet seven inches thick, while the mouldings within are three inches in thickness. It's surface is punctured with 45 circles through which light once entered the hall. 

Yapahuwa is also home to the singular Chinese-looking 'Yapahuwa lion' stone sculpture, the likeness of which is reproduced in the Rs. 10 currency note. 

Historians compare Yapahuwa rock with Sigiriya but Yapahuwa was built on a much smaller scale. The Yapahuwa rock and its surrounding area became the capital of Sri Lanka for a short period in the 13 th century. According to chronicles King Bhuvanekabahu I (1273-1284) built his palace on this rock rising loftily on the outskirts of Kurunegala. 

The land at the base to the South is fortified with two moats and ramparts. 

A cave temple was built for monks at the apex. In this enclosure there are remains of a number of buildings. The Sacred Tooth Relic was also brought from Dambadeniya and was kept in the special chamber. 

The first archaeological excavation at Yapahuwa was carried out by H.C.P. Bell, the first Archaeological Commissioner in Sri Lanka (1810 - 1811). A special monument had been discovered during that time. According to the reports magnificent types of palace entrances were found by H.C.P. Bell during his excavations. 

During the recent excavations carried out by Dr. Senarath Dissanayake, Yapahuwa has had pre-historic (from 1,000 B.C. to 500 B.C.) or early historic (from 500 B.C. to 200 A.D.) human settlements and it was the earliest settlement to be found on a rock. According to available evidence it had been a more urban settlement than a rural one. 

The latest archaeological excavations at Yapahuwa reveal that the kingdom had close diplomatic relations with China during the 13th century. 

Early excavations reveal that several Chinese ceramics were found which were among the finest ceramics found in the country. 

A large number of celadon pottery parts and a large number of Chinese coins too were found. During H.C.P. Bell's excavations he had also found 12 Chinese coins. 

The history surrounding Yapahuwa is fascinating. Yapahuwa was first occupied by the Chief Subha to defend it against South Indian forces penetrating Southwards. 

Thus the rock was named after Subha; Subhapabbata in Pali and Yapahuwa in Sinhala. A South Indian ruler Arya Chakravarthi stormed the citadel of Yapahuwa paving the way for shifting the capital to another site. This fortress capital of the Sinhalese kings when abandoned was inhabited by Buddhist monks and religious ascetics. 

The relics were carried away from the temple to South India by the Pandyans and then recovered in 1288 A.D. by Parakramabahu III (1287 - 1293) who temporarily placed them in safety in Polonnaruwa. The Pandyans left Yapahuwa but in the mid 16th century, the Portuguese marched in. They demolished most of the buildings and Yapahuwa was in ruins. 

A special note of thanks is due to former Principal, Yapahuwa Maha Vidyalaya W. Abeysinghe for his guidance throughout the tour. 

How to get to Yapahuwa: Colombo - Kurunegala - Puttlam road - Padeniya junction - Daladagama junction - Maho town - Morogallagama road - Yapahuwa.

Sri lanka Holiday Events – 2014

The following compiled events are scheduled to be held in 2013, thought the actuals dates may change the events will be held within the stipulated months. Please contact us should you require further information about them. Some will have tickets for them others are open to all, follow closely for updates. Note that all “poya” or full moon days of each month are public holidays, no government or private offices will be working, banks will be closed and supermarkets & hotels will refrain from selling/serving liquor as its banned by law.

March - The annual Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held in Sri Lanka over a period of 10 days in March. Festivals during the previous years saw participants from around the world join this festival. The route covered Sigiriya, Kandy, and Colombo. About 40 participants from around the world participate in the event. Colourful hot-air balloons floating around the island is quite a spectacular sight. The festival is hosted by Air Magic, a pioneer hot air ballooning company in Sri Lanka.

April – April is a holiday month in Sri Lanka where the Sinhalese and Tamil communities celebrate the dawning of the New Year. All hotels organize traditional games & sweet meats to celebrate, the time when Sri Lankan families, Sinhalese and Tamils, get together to celebrate this one of a kind festival, where the whole country does everything from food preparation, cooking and eating to an auspicious time schedule. In the past it has marked the end of seasonal harvest and to conduct traditional rituals, religious ceremonies, offer thanks for a good rice harvest, and wish peace and prosperity to all for the New Year. Today the celebrations and traditional rituals are only seen in the rural areas.  In anticipation of the holiday rush, Nuwara Eliya – the salubrious upcountry hill station, spruces itself up for the “April Blooms festival” (10th April)  and various activities ranging from golf tournaments, motor cross races, and flower shows are all held. For those heading for the southern beaches, Whale and Dolphin spotting is an adventurous experience at this time of the year, offered by various hotels of down south and water sports based in the Bentota .

May – On Vesak full-moon Poya day in May, Buddhists all over the world venerate the life of Lord Buddha – his birth, enlightenment and passing away.  Homes, villages and cities in Sri Lanka are lit up in serene splendor with oil lamps, intricate hand made lanterns, and colourful Pandals depicting the life story of Lord Buddha are erected across the island. The month of  May also marks the start of the surfing period in Arugam Bay in the east coast known for its killer surf,  Arugam Bay is listed as one of ten top surf spots in the world.

June – During the full-moon poya day of June, Buddhists celebrate Poson when the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Ven. Mahinda, is remembered. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees flock to Buddhist shrines across the country to pay homage to the Buddha, Dhamma (Buddha’s teachings) and the Sangha (the Buddhist monks). Mihintale where Buddhism originated on the island in 247 BC is takes on a serene air during this period with thousands of pilgrims lighting incense and oil lamps in honour of Buddha.

July – July which is the month of Esala poya is when several Pereheras (cultural processions) are conducted in several parts of the island.

July/August – “Vel” and “Mayurapathy Chariot Festival” both held in hindu kovils in Colombo 04.

July/August – Hikkaduwa beast fest – a beach carnival like no other centered on the resort town by the same name.

August – During the month of August, Kandy dazzles for two weeks with the sounds and lights of the Kandy Perehara – a magnificent procession where the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is majestically paraded on elephant back along the streets of Kandy. This ritual, which has been taking place for hundreds of years, is an experience of a lifetime. Colombo’s Bellanwila temple also holds its annual perehera which is also a colourful procession.

September – National kite festival, a bash of colours in flight, along the mt.Lavinia beach famous for seafood restaurants serving the very best.

October – Sri Lanka golf classics held in Victoria golf club, Kandy.

November – World spice festival, Colombo.

November – Deepawali, Hindu festival of lights celebrated by Hindu’s all over the island.

December – Unduwap poya day, Adams peak season begins, 25th Christmas is celebrated in grand style in most of the hotel and mainly in Colombo along with “31st  night” New years eve.

Sri Pada Mountain - Adams Peak

Adam’s peak is Ceylon’s most famous mountain (224.19m) although it is not as high as “Piduruthalagala, Kirigalpotta or thotapalakandha”. It is a sacred mountain to Buddhist.

All the early travelers refer to it in connection with Ceylon. “Marco Polo”, who visited the island about the year A.D 1293, says “In this island there is a very high mountain, so rocky & precipitous that the ascent to the top is impractible, as it is said, expect by the assistance of iron chains employed for that purpose. By means of these some persons attained the summit, where the tomb of Adam, our first parent, is supposed to be found. Such is the account given by the Saracens.

About fifty years later, “Iban Batuta”, the Moroccan who ascended the mountain speaks of the chains, of the trees of the “leaves which never falls” & of the “flowers of various colors with the red roses” there were no doubt the rhododendrons. Another fourteenth century  travelers; the floren tine friar marignolli,writes, “On the high mountain of which we have spoken, perhaps after paradise the highest mountain on the face of the earth, some think is paradise itself. But this is mistaken ; for the name shows the contrary.. & from seyllan to paradise (he adds) according to what the natives say after the tradition of their fathers, is a distance of forty Italian miles.

The peak is seen far more readily from the sea than from the land when it is not shrouded by mists & fogs. Arab traders who came to Ceylon from the beginning of the Christian era, or even before saw the peak in the distance in changing colors according to the time of day. They came to accept the tradition that Adam & Eve found a home in the sacred mountain after they were expelled from paradise. They called it “Father Adam’s Mountain” Baba-Adam-mail & later, pico de Adam.

After the steep climb through mountain paths & forest one arrive at the peak. The summit is of elliptic form & is surrounded by a parapet about five feet high. Within the enclosure, which is called the “Maluwa” a level space of irregular breadth runs all the ways round. In the middle is a rock nine feet at the highest point. In the centre of it is a hollow exhibiting the outline of a foot print.

King “Walagambahu” (First century B.C) is said to have discovered the foot print. Driven into  exile by the Tamil invaders he wandered in the jungles around the peak. One day he saw a deer in the distance which lured him to the top of the mountain & vanished. The foot print according to the Buddhist tradition is that the “Gauthama Buddha” . the “Mahawanshaya” states “when the teacher, compassionate to the world, had preached the doctrine there (At Kelaniya) he rose, left the trace of his foot step, plain to sight on samanthakuta & after he had spend the day as it pleased him, on the side of the mountain with the brotherhood, he set forth to” Dighavapi”.

Some have claimed that the ture impression of the foot was left on a precious stone produced for the purpose by the “God Saman” which lies buried beneath the large rock & that the foot print on the exposed hollow is an artificial print cut to the order of a Sinhalese king. Vishnuite Hindus associate the peak with saman, worshipped in India as Lakshman. The saivities claim that the foot print is that of “Siva”. The Sinhalese call the mountain sripada & sometimes “Samanalakandha or Samanthakuta Paruwatha” . the Portuguese writer De COuto refers to a tradition that the impression on the rock is a mark left by Saint Thomas

The majority of pilgrims climb the peak during the north-east monsoon when it is not covered by the mist, fog & rain. There are several routes, of which the most popular is that via maskeliya after detraining at Hatton. Vehicles halt near the Dalhousie tea factory & the climb of begins about a mile from there. Many pilgrims stop at the “Sitha Gangula” , bathe & wear clean clothes before resuming the climb. There are flights of steps in the steeper parts & the ascent. Lies through forest tracks. A rock which marks the base of the cone of the peak is called “ Indi-Katu-Pana where there are resting places or “Ambalama”. The last lap from Indi-Katu-Pana to the summit is over a precipitous surface, but the pilgrim is helped by ladders, iron railings & chains. Three hours is about the shortest time that even the most athletic climber will take to reach the top.

The Rathnapura route is more strenuous. A motor road takes one as far as carney estate at Gilimale. Between the gilimale & the summit,  the ascent upward of 2128.6m is made in less that 14.48km. there are other routes from Dehiowita & Kuruwita, respectively, which meet the Rathnapura route at Heramitipana. Most pilgrims reach the peak in the early hours of the morning to see the sun rise & the wonderful phenomenon called “the shadow of the peak “

This is how the Bella Sidney Woolfs describes it : to those waiting for the dawn on the summit of the peak, the sun takes a long while to rise. It is bitterly cold. Below lies a drift of snowy cloud pierced by dark peaks, a mysterious no Man’s land. Slowly the clouds turned to gold & rose pink- roll away, the sun comes up like a golden ball & mile upon mile of mountain & plains is revealed. As soon as the sun is up the famous shadow of the peak appears to westward. It lies like a huge dark cone across the country- some times of a blue so vivid that no word describes the intensity of the color. As the sun rise higher it fades away. It is an extra-ordinary apparition-a fitting climax to a night spent on  the peak.    

CMB - Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport in Sri Lanka

The Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport is a large airport located in Sri Lanka serving the area of Colombo, Katunayake. Below a few things we know

Also known as

බණ්ඩාරනායක ජාත්‍යන්තර ගුවන්තොටුපොල, Bandaranayake

IATA / ICAO Code

CMB / VCBI

Longest Runway

10,991 feet

Decimal Coordinates (Lat/Lng)

7.181 and 79.884

Coordinates by Time (Lat/Lng)

N 7° 10' 50" and E 79° 53' 2"

Website / Homepage

http://www.airport.lk/

Wikipedia Article

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandaranaike_International_Airport

The airport began as a Royal Air Force airfield in 1944 during the Second World War, RAF Station Negombo

In 1957 it closed as the British left the island, and SWRD Bandaranaike removed all the British Military airfields from Ceylon (Sri Lanka), the airfield was handed over to the Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) and renamed Katunayake. Part of it still remains a military airfield.

In 1964 Anil Moonesinghe, the Cabinet Minister of Communications started the building of a new international airport to replace Ratmalana, with Canadian aid. The airport was completed in 1967, and Air Ceylon, the national carrier, began international operations from it using a Hawker Siddeley Trident and a leased British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) VC-10.

It was named after former Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranaike, in 1970. It was renamed Katunayake International Airport in 1977, but was changed back to Bandaranaike International Airport in 1995.

On 7 November 1971 the first Boeing 747 landing took place, the Boeing 747-200B was operated by Condor was carrying German tourists from Frankfurt.

In the early 1990s the position of the airport's runway (04/22) was shifted northward and the old runway was made into a taxiway for departing and arriving aircraft.

Airport expansion projects have recently been undertaken at the airport under the Stage 1, Phase II Expansion Project. A pier with eight aero-bridges opened in November 2005. A new terminal with an additional eight gates is proposed to be built under Stage II of the Phase II Expansion Project. Construction of the new Stage II, Phase II Expansion Project is expected to commence in November 2014 and is expected to be completed by 2016, a section of the terminal is to be opened for the passengers by end 2015.

On 7 May 2007 the Sri Lankan Government decided to shift some military aviation operations out of the space adjoining the airport to SLAF Hingurakgoda, thus paving the way for more civilian operations.

As part of the airport development program, a passenger train service was launched between the Airport and Colombo Secretariat Station, in June 2010. They also unveiled plans to extend the Colombo-Katunayake airport express train to Ratmalana International Airport

The airport is used by Emirates as an alternative emergency airport for its Airbus A380 aircraft.

Bandaranaike International Airport is equipped with 6 double jet way gates in preparation for airlines introducing Airbus A380 service.

On 9 January 2012, an Airbus A380-800 operated by Emirates flight EK 413 from Sydney landed at Bandaranaike International Airport. This was the first time in history that an Airbus A380 had landed in a Sri Lankan airport. EK 413 had taken-off from Sydney en route to Dubai, but needed a refuelling stop. Originally planned to refuel at Singapore, it was decided to land in Colombo instead. The exact cause as to why the A380 needed to refuel is not known.

On 26 July, The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of Sri Lanka police set up a new security system at the Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake to identify criminals. The new system is expected to help identify the most wanted criminals.

Bandaranaike International Airport is equipped with 18 double jet way gates in preparation for airlines introducing the Airbus A380. Emirates airline to fly the A380 to Bandaranaike International Airport in 2015 or 2016, deploying the aircraft on its daily Dubai–Colombo service.

Introducing Unawatuna

Lying behind a crescent of beach lapped by turquoise waters, Unawatuna’s setting is so perfect it could be a cliche. Easily the most popular beach town in the South, Unawatuna doesn't offer the same opportunities for surfing or diving as other parts of the coast but the waves are good for swimming and the sands are clean and white.

Unawatuna has a classic mellow traveler vibe and pretty much every bit of development is aimed at the mostly young visitors who flock here. With the coast road a kilometer away, Unawatuna isn't plagued by the same kinds of traffic irritations found at many other beach towns. It’s quiet, which only adds to the allure. At night people wander the beach, sipping cold beers at the many simple beach side cafes.

In late 2004, however, this idyllic scene turned horrible. The tsunami caused major damage, washing away many of the guesthouses and killing hundreds. Thanks to generous donations from foreigners who had vacationed here, as well as the efforts of teams of foreign volunteers, who were drawn by Unawatuna’s natural allures, reconstruction happened faster here than any other place in Sri Lanka.

Unfortunately, the calamity was not turned into an opportunity to right some of the previous excesses of development. Business owners ignored plans for a setback from the water and rebuilt their places right on the sand. Some guesthouses sit on the high-tide mark. This, coupled with an unsightly pile of rocks dumped in the middle of the beach, detracts from the area’s natural beauty.