Paravi Duwa Temple (Matara)

Not to be confused with Paravi Duwa (Trincomalee)

Paravi Duwa Temple, also known as Uposathaghara Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: මාතර පරවිදූව විහාරය), is a Buddhist temple of the Siam Sect situated on an offshore island called Pigeon Island located near the Matara beach, Sri Lanka. It is connected to the mainland through a bridge. The site is a popular destination for local as well as foreign tourists.

Attribution

1) Offshore Temple in Matara, Sri Lanka by Hafiz Issadeen is licensed under CC BY 2.0

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This page was last updated on 28 February 2023

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Jaffna Public Library

Jaffna Public Library (Tamil: யாழ் பொது நூலகம்; Sinhala: යාපනය මහජන පුස්තකාලය) is located near the Ancient Fort in Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

History

The library was established as the private collection of the scholar K.M. Chellapha, who began lending books from his home in 1933 (Knuth, 2006). In 1934, a committee set up a formal library, with Chellapha as the secretary and initially, there were about 1000 books, newspapers, and journals kept in a single room (Knuth, 2006). Subsequently, this collection was shifted into a building on Jaffna’s main street and was opened to subscribers (Knuth, 2006). With the popularity the library gained, a new major building was built and opened in 1959 (Knuth, 2006).

It was among the biggest libraries in Asia during the early 1980s with its entire collection of around 97,000 books and with centuries-old manuscripts (Chandrasekar & Sivathaasan, 2016). The collection became well-known internationally and was popular among Sinhalese and Tamil intellectuals, as well as the general public (Knuth, 2006). However, on the night of 1 June 1981, the library was burnt by a few Sinhalese mobs during the riots that occurred during the District Development Council elections (Chandrasekar & Sivathaasan, 2016; Knuth, 2006). The damaged library was rehabilitated by the Government of Sri Lanka in 2001 with a new structure and collection and the renovation was completed in May 2003 (Chandrasekar & Sivathaasan, 2016). The library was reopened to the public on 23 February 2004 (Chandrasekar & Sivathaasan, 2016).

Presently, this library operates with five branch libraries located at Nallur, Vannarpannai, Gurunagar, Tamil Hindu Cultural Centre and Navanthurai in Jaffna (Chandrasekar & Sivathaasan, 2016). All these branches are administered by the Jaffna Municipal Council (Chandrasekar & Sivathaasan, 2016).

Attribution

1) Public library, Jaffna by Dhammika Heenpella is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

References

1) Chandrasekar, K. and Sivathaasan, N., 2016. Children’s section of the Jaffna Public Library: user satisfaction survey. Library Review, 65(1/2), pp.108-119.
2) Knuth, R., 2006, Destroying a Symbol: Checkered History of Sri Lanka’s Jaffna Public Library. In 72nd IFLA General Conference and Council, pp.20-24.

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World Buddhist Museum (Kandy)

The World Buddhist Museum (Sinhala: ලෝක බෞද්ධ කෞතුකාගාරය) is one of the Museums in Sri Lanka. It was established in a colonial-era building on the premises of the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy.

The museum building, built by the Department of Public Works in 1880, was originally used as the District Secretariat or Kachcheri (Abeywardana, 2004). It was then used as the High Court before converting it to a museum.

The museum houses a large collection of Buddhist artefacts from 17 countries including Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Japan, China, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Bhutan, and Afghanistan. The museum was declared open to the public on 20 May 2011 by then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa to mark the 2,600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi anniversary celebration.

Attribution

1)  30492-Kandy by xiquinhosilva is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

References

1) Abeywardana, H.A.P., 2004. Heritage of Kandurata: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Colombo: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka.  pp.51-52.

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Agra Walawwa

Agra Mansion or Karunaratna Walawwa (Sinhala: අග්‍රා මන්දිරය, කරුණාරත්න වලව්ව) is an old palatial mansion located in Bendiyamulla in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka. It is presently used as the Kachcheri (or District Secretariat) of the district. However, it has been proposed to convert this building into a museum after the opening of the new Kachcheri building complex constructed nearby.

History

The mansion was constructed in the 1930s by Don David Karunaratne, a politician and one of the wealthiest men in the Gampaha area. He was elected to parliament at the 1st parliamentary election in 1947, representing the United National Party (UNP), for the Gampaha electorate. He is also popular for his social work. Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya and Gampaha Base Hospital are said to be established/developed with his help. After the death of Karunaratne, his remains were deposited in a small Stone-built Memorial erected on a plot of land he owned. This memorial was designated an archaeological protected monument by the Government in 2015.

Karunaratna had two daughters Chandra and Edith. Of the two, Chandra was married to Percy Chandrasoma Jayakodi, who was also a relative of former Sri Lankan Minister Lakshman Jayakodi (1930-210). Edith was married to A.E.C.D.S. Gunasekara, who was then a Director of the Irrigation Department.  Edith was the first of the two daughters to die and Chandra died in 2006.

After the demise of Karunaratne, the property was inherited by his elder daughter Chandra. However, by the mid-1970s, there were no direct descendants to claim the property. In 1978, the mansion was taken over by the government and converted into the District Secretariat of Gampaha.

The mansion

The Agra mansion is said to have been built by Indian artisans according to Indian and European architecture. The construction works started at the end of the 1920s and were completed in the early 1930s. Magnificently carved wood carvings are found on furniture, ceiling, and staircase leading to the upper floor of the building. Mirrors with finely carved frames are installed on the walls on both sides of the stairs and the towers have been decorated with vegetable designs like bitter gourd, luffa, and winged bean. The carvings on the mirror tables and cupboards depict popular stories among the people such as "the fox and the vine" and "the crow and the piece of cashew nut".

The 1966 film Parasathu Mal, directed by Gamini Fonseka, was filmed on the property.

References

1) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. No: 1919. 12 June 2015. p.395.

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Avukana Buddha Statue

The Avukana Buddha Statue (Sinhala: අවුකන බුද්ධ ප්‍රථිමාව) is an ancient rock-cut Buddha statue located in the premises of Avukana Raja Maha Viharaya in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka.

History

From the inscriptions found on the premises, the history of the Avukana temple can be dated back to the 1st century A.D. (Nicholas, 1963; Paranavitana, 1970).

Period: 1st century A.D.               Script: Later-Brahmi                    Language: Old Sinhala

Transcript: Pukana lene Padagama Data jetha tipati dina Pusa mahata vare

Translation: The cave of the members of the Corporation. The alderman, Datta of Padagama, gave the three categories of revenue (to the cave) on the day when Phussa was president.

Citation: Paranavitana, 1970

There is a controversy over the period of the Avukana image. Scholars have pointed out that the Buddha statue at Avukana could be the same statue mentioned in the Sri Lankan historical record Culavamsa. According to Culavamsa, an image of Buddha had been constructed during the reign of King Dhatusena (455-473 A.D.) in the name of 'Kalasela Sathu Pathima' (Vanarathana Thera, 1990). The name 'Kalasela' is the Pali (language) equivalent of 'Kalagala' and is also the old name for Avukana occurring in the documents of the Kandy period (Ray, 1959).

However, depending on the characteristic features of the statue other scholars have dated this image to the 8th century A.D. (Deegalle, 1999; Vanarathana Thera, 1990). A donatary inscription found from the site mentions the shrine which encloses the Avukana Buddha statue (Ray, 1959). That inscription has been written in characters of about the 8th-9th centuries A.D. but it does not record anything about the image.

 

Avukana Rock Inscription
Period: 1st century A.D.
Scripts: Later Brahmi
Language: Old Sinhala
Transcript: Si(ddham) Vayavada Tisaha puti Bahuravamati Kalubaha Vava Saga dini
Content: Kalabaha Tank of Mata of Bahakava was given to the Sangha by the son of Tissa of Vayavada.
Reference: Nicholas, 1950; The information board at the site by the Director-General of Archaeology.

Avukana Vihara Slab Inscription

Period: 9-10th century A.D.             Script: Medieval Sinhala                  Language: Medieval Sinhala

Transcript: (1) Det-atgamu da...(2) Urahadabeva vehe(ra) (3) (tabu) pahana yi

Translation: (This is) the stone (slab) placed by Da... of Det-atgama at Urahadabeva Monastery.

Citation: Ranawella, 2005.

Statue

The statue is 38 feet, 10 inches in height (Vanarathana Thera, 1990), and has been carved out of living rock. A narrow strip has been left at the back of the image to keep the statue connected with the rock. On the head of the statue is a "Siraspota" symbolizing the radiance of the supreme knowledge of the Buddha. The oval-shaped face is adorned with half-closed long eyes and long ears (Lambakarna). The robe closely touches Buddha's full body but leaves the right shoulder bare. The lotus pedestal of Buddha is said to be a later work added to the statue.

The right hand of the image is in the pose of Abhaya Mudra but the raised palm and the straight fingers of the right hand have led some scholars to interpret that pose as Ashir-Mudra (Vanarathana Thera, 1990). The left hand is in the ring-hand attitude and holding the edge of the robe. The image originally was covered with an image house but only the lower walls of that building are remaining today (Wikramagamage, 2004). 

The Siraspota on the head of the statue is said to be added to the image during the period of British rule in Sri Lanka [(British Ceylon: 1815 - 1948) Fernando, 1990]. A wooden hood fixed on a railway girder had also been added to the image later for the purpose of protecting the statue. However, it obscures the view of the image and made a threat of collapse (Fernando, 1990). Therefore, the Archaeological Department carefully removed the wooden hood (Fernando, 1990). 

Excavations

From the excavations done near the lotus pedestal of Avukana Buddha in 1952, archaeologists discovered a statue of Indra (Deegalle, 1999) along with four other images of guardian deities. They were found deposited in a stone receptacle containing 25 compartments (Wikramagamage, 2004). It is believed that these statues had been deposited here at the time when the lotus pedestal was added to the image (Vanarathana Thera, 1990). Professor Senarath Paranavithana has named these figures Indra, Brahma, Yama, Kuvera, and Varuna (Vanarathana Thera, 1990).

A protected site

In 1941, the site was declared a protected area under the Antiquities Ordinance by the Archaeological Department, and conservation work was started at the site in 1948 (Fernando, 1990).

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References

1) Deegalle, M., 1999. a Search for Mahāyāna in Sri lanka. Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies, 22(2), pp.343-357.
2) Fernando, W.B.M., 1990. [Wijesekara, N. (Editor in chief)] Section III: History of the Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka; 1930-1950. Archaeological Department Centenary (1890-1990): Commemorative Series: Vol. I: History of the Department of Archaeology. pp.109-110.
3) Nicholas, C.W., 1950. Some offices and titles in the early Sinhalese kingdom. University of Ceylon Review. pp.116-128.
4) Nicholas, C. W., 1963. Historical topography of ancient and medieval Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New Series, vol VI, Special Number: Colombo. Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch). pp.166-167.
5) Paranavitana, S., 1970. Inscription of Ceylon (Vol. I). Department of Archaeology Ceylon. pp.91-92.
6) Ranawella, S., 2005. Inscription of Ceylon. Volume V, Part III. Department of Archaeology. ISBN: 955-91-59-57-7. p.153.
7) Ray, H.C. (Editor in chief), 1959. History of Ceylon: Vol. I: Part I. Ceylon University Press. Colombo. p.405.
8) Vanarathana Thera, K., 1990. [Wijesekara, N. (Editor in chief)] Section I: 248 BC - 500 A.D. Archaeological Department Centenary (1890-1990): Commemorative Series: Vol. IV: Sculpture. pp.29-30.
9) Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural and historic sites: Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. pp.31-32

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Ranmihithenna Tele Cinema Park

Ranmihithenna National Tele Cinema Park (Sinhala: රන්මිහිතැන්න ජාතික ටෙලි සිනමා උද්‍යානය) is a tele-cinema village situated in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. It is the country’s first-ever national tele-cinema park.

The foundation stone for the construction of the first phase of the tele-cinema park was laid on 30 October 2008. The then Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse declared open it on 30 March 2010.

The park consists of 235 acres of a landscape featuring lakes, forests, model villages and colonial buildings in addition to industry-standard pre-production facilities. Some of the structures built in the park resemble colonial Bombay, as it was used to shoot the Bollywood film, Bombay Velvet (2015). Also, the village comprises some other interesting sets that resemble some iconic buildings elsewhere on the island such as the Cargills Millers Building, the Queen’s Hotel, and the Nippon Hotel.

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Attribution

1) Mahinda Rajapaksa National Tele-Cinema Park by Dissaa is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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Uchchavalika Viharaya

The conserved Stupa mound at Uchchavalika Viharaya (Photo credit: Google Street View)

Uchchavalika Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: උච්චවාලික රජ මහා විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple in Bolana in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. It is situated about 2.5 miles away from Ambalantota on Ridiyagama road beside the left bank of the Walawe Ganga River.

History

There was a Buddhist temple named Uccavalika or Uccatalanka Viharaya probably in the Mahagama area (present Hambantota area) in the 1st century B.C. (Nicholas, 1963). The present Viharaya at the site is believed by many as that ancient temple mentioned in the chronicles.

Presently the site consists of a conserved image house and two old Stupas and a dilapidated image house with the remains of a broken Buddha statue in the Samadhi posture. The two Stupas have been built on raised terraces. The conserved image house consists of two sections; the sanctum and the verandah. A standing Buddha statue unearthed from this place is said to have been brought to Colombo National Museum.

A protected site

The old Stupa, image house, ruins of buildings and Stupa mounds in the Mahabolana-Uchchawalitha Rajamaha Vihara premises in the Grama Niladhari Wasama No. 140, Bolana South of the Ambalantota Divisional Secretary’s Division are archaeological protected monuments, declared by a government gazette notification published on 30 December 2011.

References

1) Nicholas, C. W., 1963. Historical topography of ancient and medieval Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New Series (Vol VI). Special Number: Colombo. Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch). p.65.

2) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. No: 1739. 30 December 2011. p.1092.

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Jaffna Cultural Centre

Jaffna Cultural Centre, also known as the Saraswathi Mahal (Tamil:யாழ்ப்பாணக் கலாசார மத்திய நிலையம்; Sinhala: යාපනය සංස්කෘතික මධ්‍යස්ථානය), is a state-owned cultural centre located near Jaffna Public Library Premises in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka.

The centre was built under an Indian grant at a cost of USD 11 million. The foundation stone for the centre was laid by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Jaffna in March 2015. The construction of the complex was started on 26 September 2016 after selecting the best design for the centre through a National Design Competition held in two rounds. The centre was declared open on 11 February 2023 by the then Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe with the presence of Indian Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan, celebrating 75 years of friendship between India and Sri Lanka.

The centre comprises a theatre-style auditorium (with projection facilities) with a capacity of 600 people, a multimedia library with online research facilities, an 11-storey learning tower, exhibition and gallery space and a museum. 

Travel tips

Things to do at Jaffna Cultural Centre;

The centre is ideal for holding/participating in social events and meetings and experiencing the cultural heritage of the local Jaffna community.

Visit nearby attractions;

Travel places and other tourist sites/monuments to visit near Jaffna Cultural Centre;

Jaffna Public Library	Jaffna Clock Tower	Jaffna Fort
Category: Academic, historical Distance: 80 m (1 min walk).	Category: Monuments Distance: 130 m (1 min drive).	Category: Archaeological, colonial, ruins Distance: 600 m (2 mins drive).

St. James' Church	Sri Naga Viharaya	Jaffna Archaeological Museum
Category: Religious Distance: 1.1 km (3 mins drive).	Category: Religious Distance: 1.1 km (4 mins drive).	Category: Artefacts, heritage, museum Distance: 2 km (6 mins drive).

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Liyangastota Amuna

Liyangastota Amuna (Sinhala: ලියන්ගස්තොට අමුණ), is a diversion weir on Walawe Ganga River located between the margin of Ratnapura and Hambantota Districts, Sri Lanka.

Liyangastota Amuna or anicut was built by British administrators in 1889 as a diversion weir to feed Ridiyagama and Kadawara tanks through the left bank channel whereas the right bank channel feeds Mamadola and Oluwila tanks (Silva et al., 2014). The 73 m long and 5.8 m high anicut has four scour sluices but only flood flow can spill over the anicut (Arumugam, 1969; Silva et al., 2014).

Travel tips

Things to do at Liyangastota Amuna;

The site is a good place for nature lovers and photographers and is safe for baths on days with low water levels. Remember not to litter.

Visit nearby attractions;

Travel places and other tourist sites/monuments to visit near Liyangasthota Amuna;

Ridiyagama Tank	Ramba Raja Maha Viharaya	Abarana Ella
Category: Bathing, photography, sights Distance: 8 km (15 mins drive).	Category: Archaeology, religious, ruins Distance: 8.8 km (16 mins drive).	Category: Bathing, nature, photography Distance: 11.6 km (26 mins drive).

Madunagala Hot Water Wells	Uchchawalike Raja Maha Viharaya	Ridiyagama Safari Park
Category: Bathing, nature Distance: 15.1 km (25 mins drive).	Category: Archaeology, religious, ruins Distance: 15.1 km (25 mins drive).	Category: Nature, safari ride, wildlife Distance: 15.4 km (26 mins drive).

References

1) Arumugam, S., 1969. Water resources of Ceylon: its utilisation and development. Water Resources Board. p.113.

2) Silva, E.I.L., Manthrithilake, H., Pitigala, D. and Silva, E.N.S., 2014. Environmental flow in Sri Lanka: ancient anicuts versus modern dams. Sri Lanka J. Aquat. Sci, 19, pp.3-14.

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Ape Gama (Battaramulla)

Ape Gama (Photo credit: Saranga Thilaksiri, Google Street View)

Ape Gama, formerly known as Janakala Kendraya (Sinhala: බත්තරමුල්ල ජන කලා කේන්ද්‍රය අපේ ගම පරිශ්‍රය), is a replica of traditional old day Sri Lankan village established near Indian Peace Keeping Force war memorial in Battaramulla in Colombo District, Sri Lanka.

The construction work of Ape Gama was commenced by Laksala with the purpose of attracting local and foreign tourists, showing the traditional industries and culture of Sri Lanka. The site was declared open to the public on 13 November 2013 by then-President Mahinda Rajapakse along with a Laksala showroom complex. In September 2015, it was wrested from Laksala (within the Ministry for Cultural Affairs) and gazetted under the Ministry of Education.

The village consists of thatched roof houses and mud huts, farming and animal husbandry-related set-ups.

Travel tips

Things to do at Ape Gama premises;

The site is open to tourists during normal business hours and is used as an event location also. The place has food stalls, handy craft shops and workshops with live demonstrations of making traditional arts. Facilities are available for conducting meetings and gathering as well as for conducting music and dancing classes.

Visit nearby attractions;

Travel places and other tourist sites/monuments to visit near Ape Gama;

Jathika Sandun Uyana	National War Heroes’ Monument	Diyasaru Uyana
Category: Foods, night activities Distance: 700 m (2 mins drive).	Category: Monument, war memorial Distance: 800 m (2 mins drive).	Category: Photography, sights, wildlife Distance: 2.2 km (4 mins drive).

Kimbulawala Street Foods	Diyatha Uyana	Beddagana Wetland Park
Category: Foods, night activities Distance: 2.3 km (5 mins drive).	Category: Urban park, shopping, eating Distance: 2.5 km (6 mins drive).	Category: Photography, sights, wildlife Distance: 4.7 km (10 mins drive).

References

1) Silva, A. de., 2019. Craft Artisans and State Institutions in Sri Lanka. International Centre for Ethnic Studies. ISBN 978-955-580-234-5. pp.39-40.

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National Sandalwood Garden

National Sandalwood Garden (Photo credit: Rakshitha Muranga Rodrigo, Google Street View)

National Sandalwood Garden, also known as Jathika Sandun Arana (ජාතික සඳුන් අරණ), is an urban park located near the Parliament Complex, adjacent to the Ape Gama premises in Battaramulla in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. It is the country’s first-ever, state-funded sandalwood garden.

Extending to an area of about 9 acres, the garden has been established on a land plot belonging to the Urban Development Authority. The construction work of the garden commenced on 20 July 2020 under the instruction of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The construction took place in two phases, with the first phase costing Rs. 132 million and the second costing Rs. 162 million. It was declared open to the public on 20 July 2021 by then-Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse.

The garden consists of 300 red sandalwood plants and 900 white sandalwood plants. It also houses Mukunuwenna seedlings in order to support the primary plants as they have the ability to retain soil moisture.

See also

#) Jathika Namal Uyana

Travel tips

Things to do at National Sandalwood Garden;

Although the sandalwood trees are not yet fully grown, tourists flock to the park to take photos and pass the time. An outdoor theatre is also available to the general public for recreational activities. A night visit to the park would be great to feel a different experience as multicoloured illuminations and colour-changing glass wall fountains come into action with the sunset.

Visit nearby attractions;

Travel places and other tourist sites/monuments to visit near National Sandalwood Garden;

Diyasaru Uyana	National War Heroes’ Monument	Kimbulawala Street Foods
Category: Photography, sights, wildlife Distance: 1 km (1 min drive).	Category: Monument, war memorial Distance: 1.4 km (2 mins drive).	Category: Foods, night activities Distance: 1.6 km (2 mins drive).

Diyatha Uyana	Siri Perakumba Pirivena	Beddagana Wetland Park
Category: Urban park, shopping, eating Distance: 3 km (7 mins drive).	Category: Archaeology, ruins, temple Distance: 3.6 km (7 mins drive).	Category: Photography, sights, wildlife Distance: 5.2 km (11 mins drive).

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This page was last updated on 21 February 2023

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Diyawanna Lake

Diyawanna Oya Wetland, also known as Diyawanna Lake (දියවන්නා ඔය), is an urban wetland located about 11 km away from Colombo in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, the administrative capital of Sri Lanka. It is one of the most important marshlands that contribute towards water retention and flood protection in the Colombo Metropolitan Region (Thibbotuwawa et al., 2010). The Parliament of Sri Lanka is also located on a small island in Diyawanna Oya within this wetland system.

Wetlands are simply habitats with the permanent or temporary accumulation of water with associated floral and faunal communities (Thibbotuwawa et al., 2010). The Diyawanna Oya Wetlands are inland freshwater marshes and one of the three interconnected marshes which form the Colombo Flood Detention Areas [(400 ha) IUCN & CEA, 2006]. The three marshes are Kollonnawa marsh (214.3 ha), Kotte marsh (97.4 ha) and Heen marsh [(87.7 ha) IUCN & CEA, 2006]. 

The Diyawanna Oya and surrounding marshes were important natural defensive barriers for the ancient Kotte Kingdom and are therefore of historical importance, and the area has been described in ancient poetry (IUCN & CEA, 2006). The wetland area was subjected to modernization with the construction of the new parliamentary complex in 1979 and the subsequent declaration of Sri Jayawardanepura Kotte as the administrative capital of the country in 1980 (Ruzaik, 2021).

The Diyawanna wetland comprises vast marshlands, wooded areas and the flowing Diyawanna Oya and spreads over Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte and Kaduwela Municipal Council administrative boundaries (Ruzaik, 2021; Thibbotuwawa et al., 2010). The marshlands are connected to Diyawanna Lake, which is part of the Diyawanna Oya stream and is drained by Kirulapone Canal via. Dehiwala and Wellawatta Canal to the sea (Ruzaik, 2021). The wetland area receives an average annual rainfall of 2,427.8 mm and a temperature ranges between 31 °C and 24 °C (Ruzaik, 2021).

The wetland serves as a major recreational ground for exercise, sports, bathing and family outings for the surrounding dwellers as well as visitors from outside (Marawila & Thibbotuwawa, 2010). The inhabitants in surrounding areas use the wetland as a source of income from fishing, cattle grazing, collecting reeds, rushes and fuel wood (Marawila & Thibbotuwawa, 2010; Thibbotuwawa et al., 2010). It also provides important hydrological services and it is a rich habitat of endogenous fauna and flora (Thibbotuwawa et al., 2010). As a result, the Department of Wildlife has declared Diyawanna Oya as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1984 in terms of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance [(section No 1 of 1994,)  Ruzaik, 2021].

Travel tips

Things to do at Diyawanna Lake;

Diyawanna Lake is surrounded by an urban environment and therefore, the site is always full of locals. Recreational activities such as boat riding are available at the community parks established around the lake. Small shopping and eating huts, playgrounds, open theatres, and aquariums as well as urban wetland parks provide tourists to experience the local culture, cuisine and wildlife.

Visit nearby attractions;

Travel places and other tourist sites/monuments to visit near Diyawanna Lake;

Diyatha Uyana	Beddagana Wetland Park	Diyasaru Uyana
Category: Urban park, shopping, eating Distance: NA (at the edge of the lake).	Category: Photography, sights, wildlife Distance: NA (at the edge of the lake).	Category: Photography, sights, wildlife Distance: NA (at the edge of the lake).

National War Heroes’ Monument	Kimbulawala Street Foods	Siri Perakumba Pirivena
Category: Monument, war memorial Distance: 10 m (at the edge of the lake).	Category: Foods, night activities Distance: 10 m (at the edge of the lake).	Category: Archaeology, ruins, temple Distance: 40 m (at the edge of the lake).

References

1) IUCN & CEA, 2006. National Wetland Directory of Sri Lanka. IUCN Sri Lanka and the Central Environmental Authority. Colombo, Sri Lanka. ISBN: 955-8177-54-7. pp.61-63.

2) Marawila, T.D. and Thibbotuwawa, M., 2010. To develop or to conserve? The case of the Diyawanna Oya Wetlands in Sri Lanka. SANDEE Working Paper No. 52-10. pp.1-37.

3) Ruzaik, F., 2021. Amenities for Encouraging Ecotourism in Diyawanna Area. Excellent publication. pp.99-118.

4) Thibbotuwawa, M., Marawila, T.D. and Samaratunga, P., 2010. Conservation Vs. Conversion: Examining the Case of the Diyawanna Oya Wetland Area in Sri Lanka. Working Paper Series No. 15. Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka. pp.1-22.

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This page was last updated on 18 February 2023

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Nilgala Savannah Forest

Nilgala Savannah Forest is a savannah-dominated forest located north of Monaragala town in Monaragala District, Sri Lanka. A part of it is a protected forest under the Forest Department, whilst a part is the Gal Oya National Park under the Department of Wildlife Conservation (Goonewardene et al., 2003). The forest extends into an area of 12,432 hectares (Goonewardene et al., 2003; Karunarathna et al., 2019). Its elevation range between 200m to 700m within the Irindahela, Hangale, Yakun hela (highest point 700 m), Hamapola, Badangamuwa, Keenagoda, Makada, Karadugala, Kukulagoda, Ewalahela, Gorikkada hills (Karunarathna et al., 2006). The government established the Nilgala dry zone park in 1954 (Goonewardene et al., 2003). 

The mean annual rainfall in the Nilgala forest area varies between 1,500-2,000 mm, received mainly during the northeast monsoon (October– January), and the mean annual temperature is 28-31 °C (Karunarathna et al., 2019). The major vegetation of the forest is classified as dry monsoon grassland (savannah), although the area around Nilgala is mostly lowland tropical dry mixed evergreen forests (Karunarathna et al., 2019). Furthermore, four sub-vegetation categories were identified within forest limits; savannah grasslands, monsoon forests, anthropogenically modified vegetation (e.g. croplands and home gardens) and degraded vegetation with predominantly thorny weeds (Karunarathna et al, 2013).

Nilgala literally means 'blue rock'. Other than biodiversity, Nilgala is rich in archaeological monuments, such as prehistoric, proto-historic and historical Buddhist monasteries (Karunarathna et al., 2006).

References

1) Goonewardene, S., Hawke, Z., Vanneck, V., Drion, A., de Silva, A., Jayarathne, R. and Perera, J., 2003. Diversity of Nilgala Fire Savannah, Sri Lanka: with special reference to its herpetofauna. Report of Project Hoona, pp.1-29.

2) Karunarathna, D.M.S.S., Amarasinghe, A.A.T., Abeywardena, U.T.I., Asela, M.D.C. and Sirimanna, D.G.R., 2006. Preliminary study on herpetofaunal diversity of Nilgala forest area in Monaragala district, Sri Lanka. In Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium. p.74.

3) Karunarathna, D.M.S., Henkanaththegedara, S., Amarasinghe, A.A. and De Silva, A., 2013. Impact of vehicular traffic on herpetofaunal mortality in a savanna forest, eastern Sri Lanka. TAPROBANICA: The Journal of Asian Biodiversity, 5(2). pp.111-119.

4) Karunarathna, S., Bauer, A.M., De Silva, A., Surasinghe, T., Somaratna, L., Madawala, M., Gabadage, D., Botejue, M., Henkanaththegedara, S. and Ukuwela, K.D., 2019. Description of a new species of the genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Nilgala savannah forest, Uva Province of Sri Lanka. Zootaxa, 4545(3), pp.389-407.

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This page was last updated on 17 February 2023

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Sri Lanka Batik industry

The Batik industry in Sri Lanka (Sinhala: ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ බතික් කර්මාන්තය) is a traditional industry engaging in producing distinctive wall paintings/curtains and garments such as sarees, shirts, sarongs, lungis and beachwear well-suitable for tropical climates. The majority of batik production is carried out by small and medium-scale business holders based in home industries in the country (Wijayasenarathne & Thushari, 2022).

Batik as an industry

Batik was introduced as an industry to Sri Lanka in 1960 by a lady named Soma Udabage who learned about it in Indonesia in 1959 (Ruwanpathirana, 2012). Following her, several people including Vipula Dharmawardena, Ena de Silva, and Keerthisena took into batik designing (Ruwanpathirana, 2012). The Batik industry reached its peak in the 1970s and had good appeal mainly from tourists visiting Sri Lanka (Ruwanpathirana, 2012). However, the industry started to decline when the Sri Lankan government adopted open economic policies and allowed the free import of textiles in 1977 (Ruwanpathirana, 2012). It further deteriorates with the beginning of the Sri Lankan civil war in 1983 which resulted in the collapse of the tourism industry (Ruwanpathirana, 2012).

The batik-making has grown in Sri Lanka since its introduction in the 20th century from Indonesia and developed its own unique style.  Local talents resulted in putting new ideas into this foreign art creating its own identity. Presently, many designs used for Batik making mainly represent key traditions and symbols of the country's history and predominantly Buddhist culture (Ruwanpathirana, 2012). As a result of this, the Sri Lankan Batiks have obtained an indigenous outlook that deviated from its original Indonesian culture.

Batik techniques 

Batik which is of Javanese origin is considered a resist dyeing technique applied mainly to textile fabrics to produce colourful designs. It was not an art practised in ancient Sri Lanka although there are some traditional clothes similar to Batik such as Somana, a particular garment worn by the chieftains during the Kandyan Period. However, Somana did not follow the wax process, instead used vibrant colours mixed with some form of formula to retain the colours on the fabric (Ruwanpathirana, 2012). 

Most of the Sri Lankan batiks are printed on 100% cotton poplin fabrics using traditional methods (Ruwanpathirana, 2012). Tjanting tools and brushes are used for waxing while all the designs are drawn by the hands of Batik artists (Ruwanpathirana, 2012). Stamping, templates, or pens are not used even for repeated design motifs (Ruwanpathirana, 2012). To hold the fabric while the wax is applied, ordinary wooden frames are used with pins.

Batik production often involves the use of synthetic dyes such as Naphthol and VAT which are used for colouring the patterns drawn on the fabrics (Wijayasenarathne & Thushari, 2022).

Attribution

1) 20180307-DSC00388 by Robert Lee is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

2) 20180307-DSC00387 by Robert Lee is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

References

1) Ruwanpathirana, U.S., 2012. Potential of upgrading Sri Lankan Batik industry. Doctoral dissertation: Department of Textile and Clothing Technology, University of Moratuwa. pp.1-2,6-11,55.

2) Wijayasenarathne, H. and Thushari, I., 2022. Blue and Grey Water Footprint Assessment: A Case Study from a Small-Scale Batik Industry in Sri Lanka. pp.221-223.

 

This page was last updated on 16 February 2023

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Kalutara Nigrodharama Viharaya

Nigrodharama Viharaya (Sinhala: උතුරු කළුතර නිග්‍රෝධාරාම විහාරය) is a Buddhist temple situated in Deshasthra village in Kalutara-North, Sri Lanka.

History

According to the locals, the history of Nigrodharama Viharaya goes back more than 200 years. The existing architecture of the image house indicates that it was constructed during the 19th century. The paintings of the image house show features of the Kandyan style and have been retouched a few times. However, the paintings on the upper walls and ceiling have not been retouched or altered.

The preaching hall and the monks' dwelling building have been constructed in 1917 and 1950 respectively.

A protected site

The portion with ancient frescoes in the Buddha shrine of the Nigrodharama Vihara precincts in the Grama Niladhari Division No. 717-D-Kalutara North, in the Kalutara Divisional Secretary’s Division is an archaeological protected monument, declared by a government gazette notification published on 6 June 2008.

References

1) Goonatilake, H., 2009. Sri Lanka-Myanmar Historical Relations in Religion, Culture and Polity. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, 55, pp.77-114.

2) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. No: 1553. 6 June 2008. p.533.

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This page was last updated on 12 March 2023

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Wel Bodhiya & Neth Bodhiya (Kandy)

Wel Bodhiya & Neth Bodhiya (Sinhala: වැල් බෝධිය සහ නෙත් බෝධිය) are two Bodhi trees located adjacent to each other on the premises of the Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Wel Bodhiya: This Bodhi tree is located in front of the Natha Devalaya shrine. Folklore says that this is one of the off-shoots of the Sacred Bo-tree in Anuradhapura brought here by a Brahmin.

Neth Bodhiya: This Bodhi tree is located outside the entrance archway to Pattini Devalaya at the northern wall and has been planted on top of a stepped terraced platform. It is said that the mother of King Sri Vira Parakrama Narendrasinha (1707-1739 A.D.), who suffered from blindness, was cured at this place.

Attribution

1) Devotees by Francisco Anzola is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

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This page was last updated on 14 February 2023

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