Sri Lanka

[madushan_11]

Sri Lanka

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Talpe.jpg

Sri Lanka's place in world history may not be as a might army of conquerors, or an invincible warrior nation defending her honour against the British empire. The magic of this fairy tale island extends far beyond the deeds of her people, who are among the warmest and most hospitable in the world. In the days when the world was young, it was said this enchanting island consoled Adam for the loss of Paradise and made the beautiful Sita of the Indian epic the Ramayana, forget a king's love. Sri Lanka's legendary beauty, fragrant spices, precious gems, rare pearls, sublime culture and hospitable people called princes, poets, traders, empire builders, explorers and admirers to its shores.

For whether by accident or design, Sri Lanka is a land of happy surprises, lavish abundance, delightful paradoxes and improbable contrasts. Peerless natural beauty is everywhere. Sunlit seas, sun-drenched beaches, verdant tropical lowlands and dramatically beautiful highlands. Just 160 km away from the coconut and mango groves of Colombo, its seaport commercial capital, the highlands of Nuwara Eliya beckon as a veritable 'Little England', where asparagus, carnations and strawberries flourish in misty mountain gardens. From the stately architecture of ancient civilisations to the wild beauty of jungle kingdoms, from the rich splendour of its gem mining to the precious spices of the orient, from the ancient rulers to the piquant potpourri of ethnic diversity that make up Sri Lanka's population now, this is a land that shares its enriching experience generously with all its visitors. Small wonder that it was christened 'Serendib' by early Arab traders, from which the English language coined the word 'serendipity' - a happy discovery made by accident.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Theseaattwilight.jpg

[madushan_11]

Colombo - Kolomtota - The Capital

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/Colombo/aaaaaaa.jpg

The island's combined charm of varied landscapes and stunning beaches find a midway point in its chief city and seaport, Colombo. Until recently its capital, the city is an eclectic blend of old colonial architecture and the more modern reflections of its time. European colonial mansions and churches, Buddhist and Hindu temples, mosques, quaint old gem and handicraft boutiques, noisy bazaars and street markets contrast colourfully and carelessly with international chain hotels, high-rise blocks and towers, modern department stores and shady tree-lined boulevards.

Snap up a sapphire bracelet, a batik designer shirt, hand-painted ceramics or a hand-carved demon mask, attend a tea auction or get your horoscope cast. When the culture immersions grow too daunting, there's a host of newly appointed restaurants and diners where you can lunch on fresh seafood, western or continental food , tee off on the sculptured lawns of the Royal Colombo Golf Course. Walk off the crowded streets and shady residential areas, and succumb to the pleasures of the shopping experience, or go in for a taste of the cultural with the regular traditional pageants and fiestas which the locals delight in. You could even make the beautiful drive to the nearby newly crowned capital of Sri Jayawardenapura, where the Parliament House rests on the calm waters of a lake fringed by forest cover, a strikingly tasteful example of traditional architecture. Either way, this is one city that rewards every partaker.



Colombo Buld. - http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=183869

[madushan_11]

Kandy - A World Heritage City

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Heritage/556-156-4.jpg

The history of Kandy and it's townscape witnesses rapid and drastic change from the beginning of British rule particularly after the 1818 rebellion. As Sir Lowry in his Gazetteer recorded " The story of English rule in the Kandyan country during the rebellion of 1818 cannot be related without shame.. Hardly a member of the leading families remained alive.. Those whom the sword and the gun had spared, cholera and small pox and privations had slain by the hundreds.. Others became ignorant and apathetic. Any subsequent development efforts of the government for many years were only attempts begun and abandoned".

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Heritage/KandySriLanka.jpg

However, Ananda Kumaraswamy - the great savant of eastern culture writing in 1912 after nearly hundred years of British occupation had this to say. "Hardy mountaineers of the interior, preserved their independence enabling us to form an estimate of Sinhalese as a live and individual people, with a national character and a national art; an individuality and art which is more difficult and often impossible to trace in the low country districts long subjected to western influence".

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Heritage/TempleoftheTooth-Kandy.jpg

Since its founding in the 14th Century, Kandy which remained the last stronghold of local kings had gone through many a vicissitude. Although Colombo represents the prime commercial and administrative center, Kandy continues to remain the cultural capital of Sri Lanka with a rich heritage of living monuments.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Heritage/ViewfromthetopKandy.jpg

Dalada Maligawa

Undoubtedly the greatest attraction of the city is this building, the Temple of the Scared Tooth Relic or the Dalada Maligawa. It is one of the most sacred places for the Buddhists all over the world. The temple is visited by thousands of devotees every day. Specially famous for its Sinhalese style architecture, the most dominant feature of the building is the Octagon (Pattirippuwa). This was the place from where the king addressed the public on important occasions.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Heritage/CopyofDaladaMaligawaOutside.jpg

The changing nature of the city

Kandy city is the largest urban center in central Sri Lanka that functions as a district and a provincial capital. The city has maintained the cultural dominance and traditional landscape features that have historic importance for over 400 years. The landscape of the city has changed over the years due to the political, economic, social and cultural influence. The city has a long process of urban development on which the present urban problems have emerged. Welfare of the city dwellers and users of urban facilities should be given more emphasis when planning. Any expansion of the infrastructure or a change in the landscape should accommodate urban functional requirements. In a process of urban planning, population component has to be considered as one of the most important criterion as it could positively affect the expansion of housing areas, increasing sources of income, and human resources. The negative effects would be over population, street congestions, emergence and expansion of slum or shanties and urban pollution. As a result of these series of changes, the land use of the city particularly housing are becomes congested, social hazards develop and the peaceful environment could be disrupted. Therefore, a careful study on these effects in relation to population size, density, composition and migratory trends would be necessary prior to a comprehensive planning scheme.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Heritage/KandyViewThilanka.jpg

In addition to the largest housing concentration, the city serves as one of the leading commercial centers with a large volume of wholesale and retail transactions and is the second largest educational and health-care enter next to Colombo. Kandy also plays an important role as a judicial center. As a transport center with all types of trans port facilities, It is leading in the central Sri Lanka. The city has a structure that could provide rooming and hotelling facilities to a large number of tourist population. In addition, the concentration of leading banks and financial institutions provide the highest financial services next to Colombo . Kandy also serves as one of the leading communication centers. Therefore, the functional mechanism of the city provides employment and services to a large number of people of the city and its periphery.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Heritage/KandyDaladaMaligawa.jpg

Festivities

Traditional Services

Sacred Tooth Relics of Sri Dalada Maligawa undergo change of shift services on full moon day in July every year, under the patronage of Rev.Chief of Malwatu and Asgiri temples together with Diyawadana Nilame.

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Diyawadana Nilame traditionally tenders the invitation for "Vas rites" later to these acts. The customary ownership of service matters of the Rt. Honourable two prelates, are assigned to three priests in terms of the long tradition. The three priests are appointed by two to the upper floor, and one to the ground floor. However another priest is now being appointed to the pattirippuwa. Identical services and attention rendered by Rev.Ananda thero to Lord Budda are being repeated by priests who are assigned such services to Sri Dalada. These Bhikkus gain the respect and assistance for these duties by a host of staff, attached to the temple. Particularly during the time of Sri Dalada procession, Dalada Siritha recital is chanted from the time the casket is taken out and replaced each day.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Heritage/675be8da.jpg

Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Heritage/gardens2.jpg

The best garden in the country. Begun as a Pleasure Garden of a Kandyan King, the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya is surrounded by the river Mahaweli on three sides and is connected to the opposite bank by a suspension bridge.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Heritage/gardens6.jpg


The garden itself is an example of the wealth and beauty of the tropics with over hundred varieties of palm trees., palm avenues, where the palms such as Talipot grow to an immense size, wondrous arches of glossy foliage, lovely fernery and orchid houses with rare blossoms and spice trees in groves make it a rich botanical heritage.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Heritage/gardens8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Heritage/81e06be4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Heritage/7a532570.jpg

Kandy View Point

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/beach/Heritage/KandyDaladaMaligawa.jpg

[madushan_11]

Kandy City Website -

http://www.kandycity.org

[madushan_11]

South Asia's Latest Boomtown

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=184332

[drwho]

madushan_11> nice pictures.

I would suggest that you post the pictures in "cityscapes and skylines" and in "urban discussion" instead of the ASF main forum.

[Jo]

Nice botanical garden.. well, it all looks very pleasant.

[Ashok]

i never knew how beautiful Kandy is

[madushan_11]

Nuwara Eliya, (pronounced Noo-ray-lee-ya), the City of Light, is a town in Sri Lanka. It is at an altitude of 1990 m (6,128 ft) in the central highlands, and is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the island's highest peak.

The town's altitude means that it has a much cooler climate than the lowlands of Sri Lanka, with a mean annual temperature of 16o rather than the 26o of the coasts. In the winter months it is cold at night, and there can even be frosts, although it rapidly warms up as the tropical sun climbs higher in the sky.[/

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/135919033hhcVnM_fs.jpg

Many of the buildings retain features from the period, and even new hotels are often built and furnished in the colonial style. The Hill Club is the best preserved of the hotels, and charges admission for non-residents who wish to wallow in its nostalgia. Many private homes still have English-style lawns and gardens.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/ella4.jpg

The town really comes alive in April for the Singhalese and Tamil New Year. Prices triple and it is virtually impossible to find accommodation as affluent Singhalese from Colombo invade the town.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/HeritageHotel-NuwaraEliya.jpg

Star attractions at this time are supercross at the Diyatalawa circuit, Formula Three car racing, and horse races. Parties are held nightly in the hotels, and the season culminates in the nine-furlong Governor's Cup, and the flower show at the end of the month.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/NuwaraEliyaPostoffice.jpg

The town's other attractions include golf courses, trout streams, a park, and boating or fishing on Lake Gregory. Country walks include the ascent of Pidurutalagala.



Grand Hotel

http://www.srilankahotels.de/grandhotel/images/ghsetting640v.jpg

http://www.srilankahotels.de/grandhotel/images/ghsetting640j.jpg

http://www.srilankahotels.de/grandhotel/images/ghrestaurants640aa.jpg

Another Heritage Hotel

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/HeritageHotel-NuwaraEliya.jpg


The Hill Club

http://www.billwood.com/travel/srilanka/d1.jpg

http://www.billwood.com/travel/srilanka/d2.jpg

Houses -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/nuwaraeliya.jpg

Tea Estates

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/TeaPlantationsSriLanka.jpg

Water Falls

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/CopyofStClairsFall.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/ella3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/oshadee_i/Copyofnuwaraeliya19.jpg

[serendib]

http://www65.tok2.com/home2/iseki1/image/srilanka/kandy1/kandy-image1/kandy-08.jpg

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http://www65.tok2.com/home2/iseki1/image/srilanka/kandy1/kandy-image1/kandy-07.jpg

[serendib]

http://www65.tok2.com/home2/iseki1/image/srilanka/colombo/colombo-image1/colombo-06-v720.jpg

http://www65.tok2.com/home2/iseki1/image/srilanka/colombo/colombo-image1/colombo-08-v720.jpg

http://www65.tok2.com/home2/iseki1/image/srilanka/colombo/colombo-image1/colombo-09-v720.jpg

http://www65.tok2.com/home2/iseki1/image/srilanka/colombo/colombo-image1/colombo-13-v720.jpg

[serendib]

Kandy Sunset

http://www.ampiaistehdas.net/kuvat/valokuvat/Sri_Lanka/kandy.jpg

[serendib]

A fishing boat crawls into the dock.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61402.jpg

Boats line an old Dutch canal.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61415.jpg

The streets are lined with small eateries for tourists like this one.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61413.jpg

[serendib]

Kandy Lake

http://www.asvanna.co.uk/images/Kandy%20Lake.jpg

[Jo]

A beautiful and special country no doubt. I got to visit it some day.

Some text explaining what we see would be appreciated, because I am not familiar with these places ;)

[serendib]

based in Kandy, The train travels to Matale.The Buddhist Cave Temples at Aluvihara. The train ride, a mere 24 kilometers, takes two hours, including a 20 minute pause at Wattegama.

Train Station

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61701.jpg

Steps to the upper caves and the ancient Stupa.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61713.jpg

Entrances to one of the caves.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61714.jpg

The caves all contain reclining buddhas of various sizes. They were constructed beginning in the first century BC. The site is also famous for being the place where the Buddhist scriptures were first set down in Sri Lanka.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61715.jpg

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61722.jpg

The area around the caves.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61718.jpg

Looking to the north and east, toward the mountains.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61719.jpg

At Night .. The Lake

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61734.jpg

[serendib]

Entrance In Kandy

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Buddha images peer from every corner

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61835.jpg

The Hall of Buddhas beside the Temple

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61809.jpg

Paintings tell the history of the Tooth.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61836.jpg

Main image of the Buddha in the Temple of the Tooth. The statue is flanked by smaller Budda images donated by major Buddhist countries from all over the world.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61810.jpg

grounds outside the Temple of the Tooth.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61811.jpg

Kings Council, Where the king met the chief

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61813.jpg

small stupa and adjoining temple in a complex next to the Temple of the Tooth.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61814.jpg

Another Temple

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61839.jpg

City Of Kandy

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61834.jpg

[serendib]

Rice fields in the mountains between Kandy and Dambulla.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61904.jpg

The tree-lined streets of a small mountain town. Pleasant by day,

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61906.jpg

stupa before the entrance.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61911.jpg

the world's tallest Buddha statue in that particular position.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61912.jpg

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61926.jpg

The Cave Temples date from several periods, beginning in the 3rd century BC, and continuing into the 18th century.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61929.jpg

The mysterious carved Buddha in Cave 2.The site contains about 150 Buddhas, and many paintings and frescoes.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61916.jpg

Cave 2 again.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61917.jpg

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Fresco-covered walls and Buddha statues create an eerie, other-wordly atmosphere.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61919.jpg

The view from the top.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/61925.jpg

[serendib]

Rice fields on the plains.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62026.jpg

Country road, carrying to Aukana.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62027a.JPG

Kala Wewa, one of the scores of artificial lakes that dot the island. This one was constructed in the 5th century.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62006.jpg

A heron near the shore.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62007.jpg

Ancient Statues OF Budha.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62001z.jpg

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62011.jpg

[serendib]

Sigiriya fortress, viewed from Dambulla Caves.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62101.jpg

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An extensive complex of fountains and pools dominates the entrance to the site.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62104.jpg

The gardens slash across the landscape.

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Kings Gardens .. Some Still Function After thousands of years.

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Ruins of barracks or storehouses nestle on a ledge about halfway up the rock

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62112.jpg

The lion's paws, where the steep part begins. Originally there was an entire stone lion face over the stairs, but it has disappeared. The rickety iron staircase begins here.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62113.jpg

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62118.jpg

Ruins On The Top .. some 500ft Above

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62146.jpg

[serendib]

Wasgomuwa Forest Reserve

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62401.jpg

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An elephant ambles across a swampy area.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62405.jpg

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Storks and pelicans congregate.

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Sri Lanka's most famous mountain, Adam's Peak (flat top, left),

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62413.jpg

[serendib]

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62601.jpg

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62606.jpg

[serendib]

The Royal Palace.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62510.jpg

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62511.jpg

The rear of the Royal Palace reveals an entire complex of ruins.

http://warden.idv.tw/michael/lanka/62513.jpg

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[TYW]

nice island!! i like the landscape;)

[Jo]

Interesting Buddha images! They have quite different faces compared to in SE Asia, and looking kinda muscular :)

[centralized pandemonium]

Awesome.

[colombo]

Dambulla Cave Temples

http://www.questier.com/Photos/2002_SriLanka/20020903_Sri_Lanka_17_Dambulla.jpg

[taprobane]

Ancient Dambulla

http://www.globalgeografia.com/album/sri_lanka/dambulla.jpg

[serendib]

http://www.globalgeografia.com/album/sri_lanka/peradenya.jpg

[serendib]

Ancient 7 story Building in Pollonnaruwa Sri Lanka

http://www.globalgeografia.com/album/sri_lanka/polonnaruwa.jpg

[serendib]

http://www.globalgeografia.com/album/sri_lanka/unawatuna.jpg

[serendib]

http://www.beart.org.uk/Sri%20Lanka/panorama%2028-39%20compressed.jpg

[serendib]

http://img97.exs.cx/img97/4472/resizeof91850086acnhovfs9je.jpg

[serendib]

http://www.christinat.ch/charles_new/bilder/srilanka/065horton_plains_nationalpark.jpg

http://www.christinat.ch/charles_new/bilder/srilanka/060horton_plains_nationalpark.jpg

http://www.christinat.ch/charles_new/bilder/srilanka/063horton_plains_nationalpark.jpg

[serendib]

Beragala

http://www.people.freenet.de/diasrest/wellawaya-beragala.JPG

Koslanda

http://www.people.freenet.de/diasrest/koslanda.JPG

[serendib]

http://www.lankanstyle.com/mkportal/modules/gallery/album/a_342.jpg

[serendib]

http://www.lankanstyle.com/mkportal/modules/gallery/album/a_346.jpg

[serendib]

http://img75.exs.cx/img75/8581/45334938eytifffs2ae.jpg

[serendib]

http://img207.exs.cx/img207/7217/adamspeakjpg7hv.jpg

[BrizzyChris]

Great photos. Brings back so many memories. Sigiriya is just magical...something out of my dreams.

[Jo]

Do you have anything more from Adams Peak?

[serendib]

Adams Peak Sunrise View

http://img238.exs.cx/img238/2756/resizeofuntitleddsf3vs.jpg

http://img238.exs.cx/img238/5592/resizeofuntitledda7aw.jpg

[serendib]

SunSets and SunRises From Sri Lanka

Blue Sunset In The South

http://img144.exs.cx/img144/5987/bluesunset2da.jpg

Sunrise In Kandy Over Buddhas Statue

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/9078/buddahsunrise0tx.jpg

Dusk in the Hills

http://img144.exs.cx/img144/7237/duskinthehills2jp.jpg

GalleFace Colombo

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/3072/gallefacesunset7il.jpg

Hatton Sunrise

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/9831/hatton5eq.jpg

Hikkaduwa Sunset

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/9396/hikkaduwastadium5sc.jpg

Kandy Sunset

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/5946/kandy9ej.jpg

Another From Kandy

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/1070/kandysunset1yk.jpg

Negumbo Sunset

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/3586/negumbosusnset4we.jpg

In The South

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/7816/southernsunset1yj.jpg

See You Again Tommorrow

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/8272/seeyoutomm7it.jpg

Another

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/543/srilankasunser1rc.jpg

Galle Sunsets

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/693/srilankaalmostatnightveryamazi.jpg

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/8209/sunsettingovergalle6gc.jpg

In Pollonaruwa Over a Lake

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/8890/sunsetinpollonnaruwa9ag.jpg

[pon]

Very beautiful country.

[serendib]

CH-635 This Mi-24 is hovering above Mihintale.
http://photos.airliners.net/middle/6/7/7/782776.jpg

CH542 (cn 31235) This Bell-212, loaded with relief goods, passes the damaged village of Arugam Bay,
http://photos.airliners.net/middle/5/7/7/782775.jpg

Antonov An-32B
http://photos.airliners.net/middle/6/4/8/709846.jpg

737 A MiG-27 is approaching the camera-ship which is an An-32B
http://photos.airliners.net/photos/9/6/2/619269.jpg

MiG-27M Sri Lanka Air Force
http://photos.airliners.net/photos/7/5/5/610557.jpg

Mil 24 - Defensive anti-SAM flare demo by a #9 squadron flight. In the past these flares have worked quite well to save aircraft/crew from Tamil LTTE terrorists SAMs in Northern Sri Lanka
http://photos.airliners.net/photos/3/3/4/543433.jpg

Mil Mi-17-1 - A flight from # 6 Squadron over central Sri Lanka which has a lot of remains of old Sri Lankan civilization. The remains of an ancient dagoba/temple complex is on bottom left.
http://photos.airliners.net/photos/3/4/1/529143.jpg

Mil 24V - Live fire from twin 23mm pod-mounted cannon on the wing pylon. Demonstration for camera by #9 Squadron flight.The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) deploys two versions of the 'Hind' - the Mi-24P with twin 30mm Pushkai cannon and the Mi-24V with four .50 inch heavy machine guns in a Gatling type arrangement mounted in the chin turret.
http://photos.airliners.net/photos/4/7/7/514774.jpg

Mil 24V -CH-622 From # 9 Squadron demonstrating agility in attack mode. Dedicated to Mil-24 crew Squadron Leader Tyronne Sylvesterpillai, Flight Lieutenant H.S.de Silva, First Officer C.C.Anura & Corporal Atukorale KIA by Tamil LTTE terrorist SAM on Dec. 19th 1999 during close air support mission in Jaffna.
http://photos.airliners.net/photos/5/3/9/502935.jpg

Mil 24V - 9 Attack Squadron flight over the ancient garden city/palace built by King Kasyapa in 477 - 495 AD. Palace also served as a fortress for the King from invading armies for 20 years of rule. 1500 years later, modern defenders of Sri Lanka fly by!
http://photos.airliners.net/photos/7/5/7/499757.jpg

Mi 24 v - Attack Squadron 9 flight at sunrise.
http://photos.airliners.net/photos/6/9/9/495996.jpg

CH-626 Dedicated to the four SLAF Mil-24 crew (including Commanding Officer of the #9 Squadron, Group Captain Jagath Rodrigo) KIA by a SAM while responding to a Tamil LTTE terrorist suicide attack on SL naval craft on Oct 26th 2000 in Northern Sri lanka.
http://photos.airliners.net/photos/2/4/9/491942.jpg

Flight at first light!....These # 9 Squadron machines and crew are an important part of the defense against Tamil Tiger Terrorist attacks in Northern Sri Lanka. The lives of many SL Army soldiers depended on these ops.
http://photos.airliners.net/photos/1/4/0/491041.jpg

Pilots of # 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron spend their time at low level, skimming the tree tops or flying 'nap-of-the-earth' engaging northern Tamil Tiger rebels.Unlike here passing a Buddhist dagoba & statue in jungle but safe central SL. Photo taken during training mission in typical lush green Sri Lanka.
http://photos.airliners.net/photos/5/0/0/485005.jpg

[serendib]

Boat Near Sigiriya

http://img142.echo.cx/img142/6329/boatinsigiriya1xw.jpg

Buddhist Temple

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/379/buddhisttempleseenigama6ui.jpg

Early Morning In Sri Lanka

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/3804/earlymorninginsrilanka6hw.jpg

Fruit Stand Sri Lanka

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/1479/fruitstandsrilanka8jm.jpg

Gem Mine Ratnapura

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/8391/gemminerakwana4so.jpg

Ratnapura Butterfly

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/1966/morningsideestatebutterfly9ef.jpg

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/1383/pinnawalaelephantorphanage9ot.jpg

Ratnapura Statue Buddha

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/6567/ratnapurastatuebuddha6hz.jpg

Sabaragamuwa

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/8512/sitalayaplacewheresitawaskept3.jpg

Sunrise

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/153/sunriseadamspeak1ez.jpg

Unawatuna

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/5176/unawatunagallesrilanka3qi.jpg

[simply_me]

wow..cool pics.. great job serendib!!!

[serendib]

Beruwala

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/5734/beruwala9xt.jpg

Dalada Maligawa

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/6814/daladamaligawa9mv.jpg

Kothmale

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/245/kothmale7qj.jpg

Pinnawala Herd

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/6222/pinnawala0bp.jpg

Rainbow

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/2981/rainbow5ef.jpg

Masks

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/8972/traditionalmasks7bg.jpg

Kandy Villa

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/292/villa2oa.jpg

Nuwara Eliaya

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/2871/downhillfromnuwaraeliya8oi.jpg

Paddy Feilds

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/4232/electricpaddys1vq.jpg

Galle Architecture

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/7055/gallearchitechture6ys.jpg

Pollonaruwa

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/3641/pollonaruwa6ld.jpg

Rankoth Vihara

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/7066/rankothviharaya2lb.jpg

Ruwanveli Saya

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/7513/ruwanwelisayaanuradhapura6va.jpg

River Sabaragamuwa

http://img156.echo.cx/img156/1931/sabaragamuwa0vx.jpg

[VISAAKAN]

Pilots of # 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron spend their time at low level, skimming the tree tops or flying 'nap-of-the-earth' engaging northern Tamil Tiger rebels

:) :) :) As usual Serendip is spinning. There is not a mountain or even a rock in the Northern Vanni. Besides no Srilalnakan helicopter or plane will dare to fly this low in Tamil Eelam.SL AIRFORCE don't even have this many planes, all of them were destroyed by the LTTE in the famous Airport and Airbase attack. :bash: :bash: :bash:

http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/jul/24ltte.htm

ALL THE AIR LINE PICTURES WERE TAKEN FROM THE FOLLOWING SITE

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search..

ALL HELICOPTER PICTURES WERE TAKEN IN Feb 2001. SL Airbase was attacked by the LTTE in July 2001, all of them were destroyed. :bash:

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/1/4/0/491041.jpg

[Anniyan]

is LTTE more powerful than the govt.. ??

[VISAAKAN]

http://www.mackoo.com/fonds/kandy.jpg

http://www.dailynews.lk/2002/12/24/z_king.jpg

THE LAST KING OF SRILANKA, SRI VICKRAMA RAJASINGHE - a TAMIL who built this lake and Palace.


Isn't it ironic, the Sinhalese are so proud of this lake built by a Tamil King. The last king of the Kandyan Kingdom Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe II is not a Sinhalese but a Tamil. People who want to distort the history for political reasons claim him as a Sinhalese.He is from the Tamil blooded Nayakar dynasty.Before he became the king his name was Kannusamy. Even the person who contested him for the throne too was Tamil named Muthusamy.

Rajasinghe II married a Tamil princess from Madurai. Tamil was the official language in the Kandyan kingdom when he was the king. In 1818 the surrender document was written in Tamil and English only NOT IN SINHALA. It was signed by the King in Tamil only and could be seen in the Colombo Museum unless they have altered it for political reasons. 11 Kandyan Lords also signed the document and out of them five lords signed in Tamil. Ratwatte Disawa a forefather of Bandaranayake and Ratwatte family signed it in Tamil.

The king was captured by the British kept in a confinement in a location near Cylinco house opposite the Central Bank and when he died his body was sent to Vellore , in Tamil Nadu. The last Kandyan King's monument is still there in Vellore.


The Tamil blood is running in many Sinahalayas veins including the President Chandrika Bandaranayaka. Neela perumaal the forerunner of the President of Srilanka is a Tamil. ("- an Indian officer of 'high standing' who serving under the King of Kandy and bearing the name Neela Perumal, was made high priest of the Temple of the God of Saman, and commanded to take the name of Nayaka Pandaram (Chief Record Keeper) in 1454. If this tradition has truth in it, we may surmise that the Indian name of Nayaka Pandaram came in time to adopt the form of Pandara Nayaka. By the time it has turned into the Sinhalese Bandaranaike." - Relative Merits by Yasmine Goonaratne, p.3.)


The kandian convention signed between the British and the officials of the Kingdom of Kandy in 2 March 1815.


FIVE Sinhalese chiefs signed the convention in TAMIL NOT IN SINHALA LANGUAGE.

Ehelepola Molligoda - first Adikara & Dissave of the 7 Korales,
Pelime Talawe - 2nd Adikara & Dissave of Saffregam,
Pelime Talawe - Dissave of the 4 Korales, Monarawila - Dissave of Uva, Ratawatte - Dissave of Matele, Moligoda - Dissave of the 3 Korales, Dulleywe - Dissave of Walapane, Millawa - Dissave of Wellase and Bintene, Gaagama - Dissave of Tamankada and Galagoda - Dissave of Nuwara Kalawiya, signed the convention, along with Robert Brownrigg (1812-1820), the British Governor.

[VISAAKAN]

http://www.mackoo.com/fonds/kandy.jpg

http://www.dailynews.lk/2002/12/24/z_king.jpg

THE LAST KING OF SRILANKA, SRI VICKRAMA RAJASINGHE - a TAMIL who built this lake and Palace.


Isn't it ironic, the Sinhalese are so proud of this lake built by a Tamil King. The last king of the Kandyan Kingdom Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe II is not a Sinhalese but a Tamil. People who want to distort the history for political reasons claim him as a Sinhalese.He is from the Tamil blooded Nayakar dynasty.Before he became the king his name was Kannusamy. Even the person who contested him for the throne too was Tamil named Muthusamy.

Rajasinghe II married a Tamil princess from Madurai. Tamil was the official language in the Kandyan kingdom when he was the king. In 1815 the surrender document was written in Tamil and English only NOT IN SINHALA. It was signed by the King in Tamil only and could be seen in the Colombo Museum unless they have altered it for political reasons. 11 Kandyan Lords also signed the document and out of them five lords signed in Tamil. Ratwatte Disawa a forefather of Bandaranayake and Ratwatte family signed it in Tamil.

The king was captured by the British kept in a confinement in a location near Cylinco house opposite the Central Bank and when he died his body was sent to Vellore , in Tamil Nadu. The last Kandyan King's monument is still there in Vellore.


The Tamil blood is running in many Sinahalayas veins including the President Chandrika Bandaranayaka. Neela perumaal the forerunner of the President of Srilanka is a Tamil. ("- an Indian officer of 'high standing' who serving under the King of Kandy and bearing the name Neela Perumal, was made high priest of the Temple of the God of Saman, and commanded to take the name of Nayaka Pandaram (Chief Record Keeper) in 1454. If this tradition has truth in it, we may surmise that the Indian name of Nayaka Pandaram came in time to adopt the form of Pandara Nayaka. By the time it has turned into the Sinhalese Bandaranaike." - Relative Merits by Yasmine Goonaratne, p.3.)


The kandian convention signed between the British and the officials of the Kingdom of Kandy in 2 March 1815.


FIVE Sinhalese chiefs signed the convention in TAMIL NOT IN SINHALA LANGUAGE.

Ehelepola Molligoda - first Adikara & Dissave of the 7 Korales,
Pelime Talawe - 2nd Adikara & Dissave of Saffregam,
Pelime Talawe - Dissave of the 4 Korales, Monarawila - Dissave of Uva, Ratawatte - Dissave of Matele, Moligoda - Dissave of the 3 Korales, Dulleywe - Dissave of Walapane, Millawa - Dissave of Wellase and Bintene, Gaagama - Dissave of Tamankada and Galagoda - Dissave of Nuwara Kalawiya, signed the convention, along with Robert Brownrigg (1812-1820), the British Governor.

[PlaneMad]

I have got quite a few photographs of Colombo airport and of the ongoing expansion which i took last month.

[serendib]

post them ....:)