After Sheryl completed the Sri Lankan leg of her adventures and returned home to Australia, I remained with the family in Kirigala for another fortnight. Highlights included my first visit to Kataragama during its annual perahera or temple procession and a short stay in Negombo.
Before setting out on our pilgrimage to Lord Skanda's temple at Kataragama, Percy's brother Gamini brought his family to the Kirigala home. Gamini and his wife Shiromi - a well known television actress- front the family gathering on the lawn.
Aira relaxes on the steps with Shiromi and Shiromi's mother
Prabhash and Desika are in New Zealand for Prabhash's study. Desika's family pay a visit to the Kirigala home. Her older sister's little daughter takes centre stage for the photo.
We begin our journey south to Kataragama and on the way we inspect the great tank constructed by Mrs Bandaranaike and named for her little daughter Chandrika who was
later to herself become President of Sri Lanka.
Some travellers have sought to be remembered on the pillars of the pump house
At a junction we stop to honour an adventurous local woman Gajaman Nona who was nationally renowned for her poetry and who Percy proudly claims is an ancestor of the Abeygunawardhenas. This might explain Percy and Riya's skills as poets.
Reaching Tissamaharama we pause at an ancient stupa that once held the holy tooth relic now kept at the Tooth Temple in Kandy and paraded annually in the Kandy Perahera.
Lake Tissamaharama was close to where we stayed for our visit to nearby Kataragama
A shadow of a palmtree on the rice fields beside our guesthouse.
Low country drummers prepare for the Perahera at the Kataragama temple
In the temple courtyard the chosen elephant is prepared to be the vehicle of Lord Skanda
Two of the richly caprisoned elephants in the Kataragama Perahera
The south face of Kiri Wehera - a perfect stupa near the Kataragama temple
In the words of Chandana Liyanaarachchi's popular song "Kiri Weherata Ihalin
Dhanga Karana Sandaawathi" (The Moon is dancing above Kiri Wehera )
As the crowds made their way home from the temple one stoic little fellow stood his ground
On our way home we stopped to buy curd and treacle from Siriyawathi and her daughter
one of the southern beaches demanded we stop for a stroll
Percy and daughter Riya took a moment to relax
At the southern tip of Sri Lanka the waves smash wildly against the rocks of Dondra Head
Percy and John haven't been together this close to Sydney since 1989
It felt like the population of Dondra were out to cheer us on, but it was their Perahera day.
that night we stayed with Percy's relatives near Galle. Percy and I slept in the truck.
You can reach Negombo by train from Colombo Fort Station but don't choose this engine
Lake Tissamaharama was close to where we stayed for our visit to nearby Kataragama
A shadow of a palmtree on the rice fields beside our guesthouse.
Low country drummers prepare for the Perahera at the Kataragama temple
In the temple courtyard the chosen elephant is prepared to be the vehicle of Lord Skanda
lp
Two of the richly caprisoned elephants in the Kataragama Perahera
The south face of Kiri Wehera - a perfect stupa near the Kataragama temple
In the words of Chandana Liyanaarachchi's popular song "Kiri Weherata Ihalin
Dhanga Karana Sandaawathi" (The Moon is dancing above Kiri Wehera )
As the crowds made their way home from the temple one stoic little fellow stood his ground
On our way home we stopped to buy curd and treacle from Siriyawathi and her daughter
one of the southern beaches demanded we stop for a stroll
Percy and daughter Riya took a moment to relax
At the southern tip of Sri Lanka the waves smash wildly against the rocks of Dondra Head
Percy and John haven't been together this close to Sydney since 1989
It felt like the population of Dondra were out to cheer us on, but it was their Perahera day.
that night we stayed with Percy's relatives near Galle. Percy and I slept in the truck.
the stay in the village got me closer to nature and Riya closer to the 21st century
I hadn't seen real clay cooking pots for twenty years
Near Galle a visit to Mahathero Seelavimala - Percy's 94 year old teacher - was, as we suspected, our last chance to see this impressive monk. He passed away three weeks later.
then further up the west coast we visited a favourite rock pool at Ambalangoda
where a little human greets his mother ocean with filial devotion
Negombo
Negombo and its beaches is close to the International Airport, so it is often an arrival point and a departure point for tourists. With the Tamil Tiger war at an end, European and other tourist are beginning to return. Old and new hotels and resorts are rallying their resources.
You can reach Negombo by train from Colombo Fort Station but don't choose this engine
Sunset on Negombo beach as its fishing fleet puts out to sea for the night
the morning sees the boats return with their catch
The first European invaders - the Portugese - made Negombo a port and introduced catholicism to the island in the 15th century. Many catholic families remain in this area.
Cards can be a way of whiling away the time for three-wheeler drivers
Heavy clouds hid the mountainous upcountry as the plane carries me home
the morning sees the boats return with their catch
The first European invaders - the Portugese - made Negombo a port and introduced catholicism to the island in the 15th century. Many catholic families remain in this area.
Cards can be a way of whiling away the time for three-wheeler drivers
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