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Monday, August 31, 2009

Cinema i n Sri lanka



The first film to be screened in Sri Lanka (called Ceylon up till 1972) was a silent newsreel shown to Boer prisoners of war in 1901. The first cinema hall was opened in Colombo in 1903. The Colombo Cinema Society , thought to be the first Film Society in Asia, was started in 1945. There was no ‘silent era’ as such in the history of Sri Lankan film making

Kadawunu Poronduwa (Broken Promise), made in 1947 with Sinhalese language dialogue, is accepted as the first Sri Lankan film. It was produced by S.M.Nayagam for Chitrakala Movietone in South India. After its release, more Sinhala films were produced in South Indian studios, using actors and actresses shipped over from Ceylon. These films, nurtured by Indian directors and technicians, were really South Indian in attitude, formation and presentation. Many were direct copies of South Indian films in both storyline and acting styles. The three major commercial production and distribution companies, Ceylon Theatres, Ceylon Studios and Ceylon Entertainments began to have a virtual monopoly of the cinema industry in Ceylon by the late 1940’s. The audiences for imported Tamil and Hindi films outstripped those for Sinhala films.

With the granting of independence to Ceylon in 1948 and the emergence of nationalism, efforts were made to redeem the Sinhala film from Indian influences. Sirisena Wimalaweera, who opened his Navajeevana Film Studios in 1951 and produced a film - Podi Putha (Younger Son) in 1955 - is credited with giving birth to the indigenous cinema of Sri Lanka. The Government Film Unit (GFU) was established in 1948 to produce newsreels and documentaries to educate the people on their newly won independence. Noted for its ‘creative treatment of actuality’ and high filmmaking standards, many GFU films won international awards. It became the ‘nursery’ from which many of Sri Lanka’s future eminent filmmakers emerged. Unfortunately, in later decades, its standards deteriorated when it became the outright tool of government propaganda.

The GFU protégé, Lester James Peries’ first feature film, Rekawa (Line of Destiny /1956) changed the face of Sinhala cinema forever. He used amateur actors and moved outside the confines of the studio, shooting on location in natural light. For the first time, the people of the country and their environment and culture were portrayed realistically on the screen. It was shown at the Cannes Film Festival and received international critical acclaim for ‘its poetry and honesty’. Peries’ next film, Gamperaliya (The Changing Village/1963) became both a commercial and critical success worldwide. Considered a milestone in mainstream cinema, it clearly set out the path Sri Lankan Sinhala cinema was to take. It won the Grand Prix (Golden Peacock) Award at the 3rd International Film Festival of India in New Delhi in 1965.

, hastened the decline in Sri Lankan cinema.


Gamperaliya set the standard and paved the way for other serious filmmakers to produce notable work in the 1960’s. A few examples are Dhasak Sithuvili (G.D.L.Perera 1965), Parasathu Mal (Gamini Fonseka 1966), Sath Samudura (Siri Gunasinghe 1966) and Hantane Kathawa (Sugathapala Senerat Yapa 1969). In 1970, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led coalition of socialist parties, which advocated centralized planning was swept into power. The film industry was nationalized under the monopolistic control of the State Film Corporation (now called the National Film Corporation – NFC). Its initial aim of protecting, preserving and developing an indigenous Sri Lankan film industry was achieved with the fostering of creative and quality film making practices in its first fifteen years. But by the end of the 1980’s, its broader, long-term aspirations and expectations were not be fulfilled. Some even argue that the total monopoly of the film industry by the NFC, specially over distribution

The 1970’s was an important decade of experimentation, of serious writing and debate about film as aesthetic form and industry, and a period of learning from the European and Japanese avant-garde. New trends developed, and many writers and directors who understood the creative possibilities of the cinematic language emerged to make significant films. Among the directors were Mahagama Sekera, Ranjit Lal, D.B. Nihalsinghe and Dharmasena Pathiraja. The latter’s ground breaking ‘alternative’ filmmaking techniques coupled with his style of ‘social realism’ introduced the concept of ‘Third Cinema’ to Sri Lankan audiences, seen in films like Ahas Gauwa (1974) and Bambaru Avith (1978). The 1970’s also saw the debut of filmmakers who are today considered major directors in the Sri Lankan cinema – such as H.D. Premaratne (Sikuruliya /1975), Vasantha Obeysekera (Wesgaththo /1970) and Sumithra Peries (Gehenu Lamai /1978). Sumithra Peries went on to make films considered to be pioneering for their positive portrayal and strong characterization of women.

While the established directors continued with their creative work in the 1980’s, this decade also saw the emergence of two other directors of quality – Dharmasiri Bandaranaike and Tissa Abeysekera. The latter’s Viragaya (1987) was arguably the film of the decade. The late 1980’s and the 1990’s saw the decline of the Sri Lankan film industry mainly due to the production of too many poor quality films and the restrictive distribution policies of the NFC. Investment in film production fell and technicians and artistes moved into the more lucrative world of television drama. However, a few younger filmmakers of talent emerged in the 1990’s such as Prasanna Vithanage, Sudath Devapriya, Boodie Keerthisena, Jackson Anthony, Mohan Niyaz, Linton Semage, Asoka Handagama, Udayakantha Warnasuiya and Somaratne Dissanayake. Of these Prasanna Vithanage has received the most international critical acclaim with his award winning films Pavuru Wallalu (Walls Within/1997) and Purahanda Kaluwara (Death on a Full Moon Day/1997). By January 2000, the film industry was liberalized with the ceasing of the NFC monopoly. The NFC retained its regulatory functions however. Various tax incentives for producers were introduced and the importation and distribution of foreign films opened up to the private sector. With the NFC now playing a more pro-active and competitive role among other film industry players, a bright future for the Sri Lankan cinema is promised.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Anuradhapura Era


Anuradhapura

3rd BC - 10th AD

Several centuries before the Jesus Christ, while the Greek empire was at its zenith, many other regions were emerging from the stone age; Anurdhapura was already and advanced civilization. The city was well laid out and well linked. Irrigated by sophisticated systems of man-made lake s and canals, this city was a world trade center. This is evidenced by the Greek merchant guide book titled "purples of the Erythraen Sea", Ptolemy's first ever map, and further by monk travelers Fa Hien and Buddagosha of, the 5 th century A. D.Anuradhapura was known from Tibet to Yellow Sea.But unlike Greek and Roman ruins, Anuradhapura has only the remains of a monastic architecture. This city's name means the City of Anuradha.


Anuradha was the first general of the king Vijaya: the legendary ancestor of the Sinhalese race. The city measured 52 square kilometers' and was maintained by at least 500 scavengers.The city was divided into several quarters. Foreign traders lived in one quarter. Their houses were of 2 or 3 stories. Artisans occupied some avenues.

Abayagiri Monastery


Abayagiri Monastery


This was the home of mainly the Dhammaruchi sect, although it was open to many other sects including Mahayanism. There is little literary evidence as the rival monks of the Maha Vihara were the compilers of the chronicle. How ever, this 500-acre monastery was the biggest for 600 years, and Was home for 5000 monks. It was an international center of the arts, philosophy and mysticism, With branches in Java, Burma and China. Its center was this dagoba in ruin built over a sacred foot of the Buddha.

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya HE OLDEST HISTORICAL TREE IN THE WORLD


Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya


HE OLDEST HISTORICAL TREE IN THE WORLD

The introduction of the Sacred Bodhi Tree, the oldest historical tree in the world and the most venerated, is commemorated by Buddhists in Sri Lanka on Unduwap Poya (full moon) day.

Unduwap Poya is more popularly known as Sri Sanghamitta Day, beacaus it was the missionary nun Sanghamitta who brought the sacred Bodhi hear. It was a branch of the original Ficus Religiosa under which the Buddha gained enlightenment when meditating in a park at Buddha-Gaya, India.

Sangamitta was the sister of the Apostle Mahinda, who introduced Buddhism to this country. His missionary work during the reign of Kings Devanampiya Tissa (250-210BC) was singularly successful. Many men and women wanted to be ordained as monks and nuns. The rules of the priesthood, however, forbade Mahinda from ordaining women. Accordingly, he advised the king to request the Emperor Asoka of India to send his sister, Sangamitta, with a party of nuns for this purpose. He also suggested that the Emperor be requested to send a branch of the Bodhi Tree at Buddha-Gaya which would be planted hear as an object of veneration and would keep the devotees always in mind of his teachings. King Tissa commissioned his nephew, Arittha, for this job. His mission was successful and Sangamitta duly arrived with a chapter of nuns and a branch of the Bodhi Tree in a golden pot.

The king, who had rushed to the port to meet her, went neck-deep in the sea to take the sacred branch, and in a gesture of proud humility took upon himself the duty of acting as a guard out side its temporary residence on the shore. From there the sacred saplin was with great ceremony to the capital city of Anuradhapura. On the way, the royal party broke the journey at Tantirimale, where a large shrine was later built to mark this occasion. All that is left of that shrine today is a vandalized 10-metre long reclining image of the Buddha, and a Bodhi tree that is said to have been raised from a sapling taken from the tree at Anuradhapura.

In Anuradhapura, the sacred Bodhi still stands where it was originally planted in the king's pleasure garden, although the garden is no more. Other kings after Tissa improved the site with ornamental gateways, flights of steps and channel the tree. Even after Anuradhapura was given up us the capital city, and the jungle tide overtook the Dagabas(stupas) and other monuments, the Bodhi Tree was protected by the villagers. They lit bonfires around it every night to ward off wild beasts. The firewood required for this purpose was collected in toto for the whole year and brought there in a procession on the night of the Nikini Poya, or August full moon.

This procession is continued even today in memory of those bygone times. It is called the Daramiti Perahera,or the procession of the bundles of firewood. In old Anuradhapura, now declared a sacred city, the ones ostentatious buildings are no more today than an inanimate pacthwork of the stone mason'sand craftsman's art. The only living thing is the sacred Bodhi Tree. Propped on platform upon platform, enclosed by white washed walls and an iron railing, and surrounded by altars laden with perfumed flowers and spluttering candles,it still remains green, once again a focal points of worship and pilgrimage.
In the words of historian Paul E Peiris: "It is doubtful whether any other single incident in the long history of their race had seized upon the imagination of the Sinhalese with such tenacity as the planting of the Sri Maha Bodhi.

"Like its roots which find sustenance on the face of the bare rock and cleave their way through the stoutest fabric, the influence of what it represents has penetrated in to the inner most being of the people."

Kuttam Pokuna (The twin Ponds)


Kuttam Pokuna (The twin Ponds)


These 3rd Century monks' bathing pools are archaeologically perfect.The water that feeds the ponds flows first into a filtering basin made of rock; It runs through a beautiful makara mouth and a lion's head into the smaller tank. A submarine conduit feeds the larger tank.

Isurumuni Lovers


Isurumuni Lovers

6th Century Gupta style carving. The woman, seated on the man's lap, lifts a warning finger, probably as a manifestation of her coyness; but the man carries on regardless."

The figures may represent Dutugemunu's son Saliya and the law caste (Sadol Kula) maiden Asokamala whom he loved. It's known that he gave up the throne for her.

Guard Stone (Naga King)


Guard Stone (Naga King)

This is the finest of it's kind in Sri lanka dated from 8th century AD and one of the climax of Sinhalease art works.

He is the god of water,The God of protection and with a vase of plenty which is a symbol of prosperity and carrying a flower stalk which is a symbol of pertility.

King figure is adorned with beautiful jewels and above it's head rise seven hooded cobras. It is said that he is from heaven and this is the moment he touches the floor.


Ruwanweliseya


Ruwanweliseya

Every monastery has a dagoba. Ruvanveliseya is the dagoba of Maha Vihara. It was built by a Sinhalese hero king Dutugemunu in the 2nd century B.C. The architect ingeniously combined the Buddhist philosophy in the architectural conception. He conceived this as a bubble of milk: representing life, which will burst in no time just like the fragility of our lives. Its dome represents the vastness of the doctrine; the four facets of the box oh top represents the four noble truths. The concentric rings there after indicate the noble eightfold path that leads man to illumination. The illumination: the whole truth is light and transparent like the rock crystal at the pinnacle. The 1956's restoration curb on the dome is much to the chagrin of the purists: which looks flatter than bubbly.

Sandakada Pahana (The Moonstone)


Sandakada Pahana
(The Moonstone)

The elaborate moonstone at its base is in itself a distinctive element of ancient sculpture in the island.

These semi-circular slabs of granite or gneiss acquired increasingly complex bands of decorations over the years. They range from the near abstract tongues of fire and bands of creeper vines - to symbolic interpretations of the four perils of life. The latter consists of the elephant, a symbol of birth, the bull indicative of decay; the lion, resent in disease. and the geese, a symbol of death. Some also band of geese, which represents the dist between good, and evil. To some, the moon-stone is symbolic of transcending worldly temptations and achieving nibbane.

At the heart of many moonstones is a lotus petal. Buddhists regard the lotus as a sacred flower, a symbol of the male and female creative forces that prevails throughout Sri Lankan art, architecture, sculpture and literature. It figures in the legend attached to the birth of the Buddha, when seven lotuses sprang into bloom at his feet as he took the first seven steps of his life. The lotus bloomed again in profusion at the moment he reached the state of Enlightenment.

Samadhi Buddha Statue


Samadhi Buddha Statue


Mahamevuna Uyana. Anuradhapura,
"Samadhi Budu Pilimaya"

This limestone image of lord Buddha is dating from the 3rd Century.Seated under a Bo tree, depicts the Lord Buddha in the serene state of Samadhi, or deep meditation. It's not secret why the Great Indian statesman Jawaharlal Nehru found solace and strength in a photograph of this statue when he was imprisoned by the British in 1940s.

The kindness of Lord Buddha flows through the half closed eyes, Watch as as long as you like. This is the finest Meditation Buddha statue in the whole World.

Palace of King Parakramabahu the 1st


Palace of King Parakramabahu the 1st


King Parakramabahu was one of the greatest developers in Sri Lanka, who rained from Polonnaruwa making it his royal capital during (1153-1196 AD)

The place of Parakramabahu is found to be in the place called the inner city (citadel). The extent of the inner city is about 25 acres, enclosed by a high wall. The place was named " Vijayantha Pasada", after the palace of God Indra. The chronicle describes it as a seven storied building with thousand (1000) chambers

Statue of Parakramabahu the 1st


Statue of Parakramabahu the 1st

The most important king during the Polonnaruwa period who ruled from 1153- 1186 A.D. During his period lots of development took place in irrigation, architecture, paddy cultivation, and agricultural products. Relationships with foreign countries were tightened and trading was done between South Asia, Arab and China.

He built or restored 165 dams, 3000 canals, 163 major and 2376 minor tanks.

His golden saying “let not even one drop of water goes to the sea without serving the agriculture and mankind” still remembered by Sri Lankans.
According to historians The yoke in the hand is to say that he had a great consideration on agriculture. some says he holds a cord which is a symbol of royalty.

Gal Viharaya


Gal Viharaya

Images of Gal Viharaya are the most impressive sculptures found at Polonnaruwa built in 12th century A.D. by King Parakramabahu the 1st.The great Buddha images of different postures are carved in one granite rock.

The first is a samadhi image in meditation posture while the second is inside a cave and the third standing buddha image with crossed arms and the fourth is a recumbent buddha image depicting the passing away.

The third standing buddha image is highly appreciated as it indicates Buddha’s great mercy and sorrows also see the ability of the artist who made the black patch going over the nose and avoided going over the eyes.

Gal Potha (Stone Book)


Stone book of King Nissankamalla (1187-1196 A.D.)

The largest slab inscription of SriLanka.20 tons in weight, 3 pages, 27 lines, 8m in lenth and 3m in width.belived to have brought from Mihintale using elephants and logs.

It describes the places king visited, connection had with foreign countries, about wars and rules & regulations to be abyed by even after his death.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Polonnaruwa Era


Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka‘s medieval capital was established as the city of the land in 11th century A.D.
Polonnaruwa replaced Anuradhapura as the capital city of Sri Lanka, Because of the invasion of south India.It was the capital of Sri Lanka from 11 AD to 13 AD.The important kings of, Polannaruwa period are, King Wijayabahu the first, King Maha Parakramabahu the first and King Nissankamalla.

When the South Indian Kings ruling the country, the Prince called Keerthi of the Sri lanka formed an army and came to attack. The South Indian King who occupied Anuradhapura. He defeated the South Indian King and become the King of Sri Lanka as Wijebahu the First.
He did not have time to develop the country but he united the country. Later the King had chance to the develop the country Wijebahu built his palace In Anuradhapura and he shifted the capital to Polonnaruwa.During Polonnaruwa period lot of developments took place. in irrigation paddy cultivation and agricultural Products.

Because of this foreign trade was done between South Asia, Arab and China. The most important King during this period was King Maha Parakramabahu the first he ruled tire country from 1153 AD to 1186 AD. During his period he built 165 dams 3000 canals, 163 major and 2376 minor tanks. Of all these the biggest tank was Parakrama Samadra.He was very interested in irrigation work and architecture. He united Sri Lanka in 1153 AD. He died in 1186 AD. After his death the Sinhalese kingdom began to break n due to civil war and foreign attacks.

At the end of 13 century the glory of Sri Lanka faded. For 70 years Sri Lanka was ruled by Cholas from South India.


polo_main.jpg (13758 bytes)

During the period of three Kings Buddhism was unified and helped the Sanga to perform Katikawatha at Gal Vihara. The three Kings built monuments such as Ata dage Wata dage, Hata Dage. Thuparama, Nissankalatha mandapaya, Lankathilaka, Manik Vihara, Kiri Vehera, Gal Vihara, - Rankoth Vihara, Thivanka Pilimage, Pabalu Vehera, Siva Devala, Sath Mahal prasadaya and Demala Maha Seya

General Information of Dambadeniya

13 th century
Dambadeniya on the Kurunegala - Nigombo road was a Royal capital in mid in the 13th century. Excavations have uncoverd remains of the temple of the tooth relic and the Royal palace, ponds and Garden layouts, moats & city walls etc.

Historic in nature, majestic in repose is Dambadeniya, selected as the capital of the kingdom of Sri Lanka by king Vijayabahu the 3rd (1232-36). The sovereignty of the country was at stake as a result of invasions, which dislodged Polonnaruwa as the capital. Vijayabahu, the king of the Dambadeniya dynasty fought the invaders and established Dambadeniya. On the summit of the Dambadeniya rock he built fortifications and sturdy walls and gates. The city was made secure in its day by a moat, a marsh and ramparts round the royal palace. During the reign of king Parakramabahu (1236-70), Damdeniya reached the zenith of its glory.

Wellagala Viharaya


Wellagala Viharaya

Kurunegala
North Central Province
Wellagala Wall Paintings

Ridi Viharaya


Ridi Viharaya

The Silver Temple of Kurunegala contain Kandyan style 14th & 18th century wall paintings, and exquisite medieval doorway with intricate carvings of ivory inlay, a curious pavement inside the main sanctuary, of Delft tiles of Biblical themes.
The Gift of 18th century Dutch Consul and a beautifully curved moonstone of the pre-8th century classically period.

Ancient Ruins of Haththakuchi & Rajangane




Haththakuchi ("Elephant’s Belly") near Galgamuwa, is an impressive rock temple complex of great atmosphere, dating back to 1st century B.C.

It is also closely associated with legends of heroic and saintly King Sri Sangabo, built at the foot of huge rock outcrop, excavations have revealed a group of four handsome shrines and a curious rotund, probably an image house with pavement and foundations intact.

A similar 8th century complex is found at Rajangane, also near Galgamuwa, A handsome circular pillared shrine with four entrances, raised on a terraced platform, many other notable structures, cave shrines, ponds and 1st to 9th century A.D. rock inscriptions make this an ancient site of much interest.

Yapahuwa 13 th century




Yapahuwa; An ancient fortress and capital built in the year 1301. Yapahuwa is a rock rising to a height of 90 meters. Many traces of ancient battle defenses can still be seen, while an ornamental stairway, remains its biggest showpiece.

"Yapahuva" the the 13 th. Century capital in Sri Lanka was made King Buvanekabahu I.
Here the chief object is the rock, which rises about 300 ft above the surrounding land.
The land at the base to the south is fortified with two moats and ramparts. In this enclosure there are the remains of a number of buildings.

The tooth Relic too was brought from Dambadeniya kept in the special built for the purpose.Yapahuwa is situated at Kurunegala - The North Western Province of Sri Lanka Kurunegala, the Capital of North Western Province is a treasure house of archaeology, having been the seat of four medieval kingdoms of Sri Lanka between the mid 12th and 14th century. Sri Lankan Kings built handsome citadels at Panduwasnuwara, Dambadeniya,Yapahuwa, and Kurunegala. Impressive remains of these citadels-fortresses, places, Buddhist temples, shrines, monasteries and hermitages, walls and moats as well as monuments of much earlier (even pre-Christian) and later European colonial periods, providing existing sightseeing to visitors.

The North Western province has number of medieval temples and edifices raised on pillars or small boulders. All of them contain classical masterpieces of Sinhala art & craft wall paintings, wood work, sculpture and images of lord Buddha.

Lankathilaka Viharaya



Completed in 1344, but in a more traditional Sinhalese style. Situated on a top of a gray rock above the fertile highland green, it justifies its name: "the beauty spot on Lanka's brow."

The shrine contains an ancient Buddha image of brick and plaster, plus devalas to the four guardian deities of the island, each with his consort.

A Pali language rock inscription at the site records the valuable gifts to craftsmen who toiled on the temple. Woodcarvers still work at the foot of the rock on which the temple stands.

This is a Magnificent building shining in white against the blue sky in the background. Being a brick building in three stories, it has a peculiar architectural design.Amidst the painted doors of wood and frescoes still bright with their original paint on walls and ceilings in the shrine room is found a superb seated image of the Buddha.

Gadaladeniya Viharaya


Built almost exclusively of stone in 1344 by the Gampola King Wickramabahu, situated on a hilltop, commanding views of the surrounding countryside.

The architecture is Dravidian. The entrance porch features large stone pillars, which support a roof of huge stone slabs. Within the vihara, an ancient stone and plaster Buddha image looks down upon milk rice pots that have collected food offerings for centuries.

The 638-year-Old jack wood doors still exhibit their original paintings.

Ambekke Devalaya




This Shrine is dedicated to God Kataragama. This temple is famed for its carved wooden pillars with intricate designs. The pillars leap to life with dancers, musicians, wrestlers, legendary beasts and birds.

Nearby are the ruins of an ancient Rest House with similar pillars carved in stone. All the above described monuments belong to the 14th century.

General Information of Gampola

Set in the salubrious hill country, on the banks of the undulating Mahaweli River, amongst the mountains and valleys, lay this bridge shead for resistance movements and refuge for strategic withdrawals-Gampola. When the Sinhala Kings commenced shifting their administrative capital from low land to the central mountainous region for strategic reasons Gampola with its unique setting was the ideal location. Gampola is surrounded by many important Buddhists temple. The interpolation of vedic and post vedic Hindu deities into the venerations of Mahayana deities firmly extrapolation as a part of religious practice of Sri lantern Buddhists emanated from Gampola. At Gadaladeniya and Lankatilaka temples the images of Saman, Vhibishana and Skanda were installed as attendants of the Buddha.

Major places In kotte

LITERATURE
The literature produced in the 15th century AD during the reign of the kotte kindom is known as the kotte Period. The rule of king Parakramabahu V1 is known as the golden era of Sinhala literature, where many, poets, writers, intellectuals were produced. Schools and educational institutes were established under royal patronage.



RELIGIOUS IMPORTANCE
During this period, international links were established between Ceylon and other countries in South East Asia. Bhikkus from Burma, Cambodia and Siam received higher ordination (upasampada) in Ceylon. The "Thripitaka" was scripted at the Papiliyana Sunethradevi Pirivena. The kotte Raja Maha Vihara and Sri Parakumba Pirivena, are two historically important places.



The Present Sri jayawardana Pura kotte
after the decline of the kotte kingdom,it became a residential town for people form faraway wished to settle down near Colombo .In 1977 kotte once again became the administrative capitol of Sri lanka.kotte developed fast with the magnificent parliament being built on a plot of land in the center of the 300 acre Diyawanna Tank.New roads,Hospitals,schools,government buildings play grounds and housing schemas have been built making one of the most sought after cities in and around Colombo.6 1/2 sq. miles in Extent.

General Information of Kotte

Kotte is an ancient city in the chronicle of Ceylon. The period between 1400-1597 AD is considered to be the KOTTE PERIOD. A according to historical evidence available, a merchant by the name of Alakeshwara was the first ruler of Kotte. However, the Kingdom of Kotte was first established by king Parakrama bahu the 6th who ruled who ruled whole island including jafna.For a period of over two decades, Jaffna was under the writ of the Kingdom of Kotte administered by Prince Sapumal. After the reign of Parakramabahu V1 the Kingdom of Kotte was sub divided into several provincial Kingdom.

The Portuguese invasion of Ceylon took place during this period. The Kotte rule which began with Weera Parakramabahu, Wijayabahu and Buwanekabahu, ended with King don Juan Dharmapala handing over the kingdom to the Portuguese in 1597.The city, which ruled a whole Island during the reign of king Parakramabahu V1 later, became a provincial kingdom bordered by the Deduruoya from the north and the Walawe Ganga from the south.The fortress of kotte was built by Nissanka Alakeshwara, a nobleman of kotte.He named it Sri Jayawardanapura kotte. It was built on a strip of land then known as "Darugama" bordering Diyawanna oya and kolonna oya from either side, which later came to be known as kotte.Kotte was a prosperous city in the ancient days. Situated 6 miles from the commercial port of Colombo trading was done by using waterways and rivers.It became important after king Parakramabahu established his rule by bringing it as the capital of the kingdom.

In 1567 king Dharmapala abandoned the city and shifted his residence to the Portuguese Fort in Colombo. After king Rajasinghe destroyed the city of kotte, it was neglected until the 19th century.Though kotte is an ancient city there are hardly any archeological remains that could be found today. This may be due to the invasions by the Portuguese.However the ruins of the moat, the fortress, palace of the sub king, are some of the historical sites which can still be seen.

Senkadagala Era


The city of Kandy lies at an altitude of 488.6 meters (1629 feet) above sea level in the center of the island and surrounded by the ranges of mountains. It is still very much a focal point of Sri lankan culture. It was the capitol of last generation of Sri lanka`s kings until it fell in to the hands of British in 1815.

Kandy was originally known as Senkadagala pura after a hermit named Senkada who lived there. Many of Sinhalese people call it “Mahanuwara” meaning the "Great City”. But the name Kandy was derived from the Word Kanda, which means mountain. Due to it’s geographical location Kandy was not an easy target for the foreign invaders who could gain the control of coastal area of the island. Thus Kandyan culture was abler to foster and maintain its own social structure, mode of living, Art & Architecture. The kings of Kandy ensured the safety and sovereignty of the hill capitol and it’s great culture until the British finally captured the city in 1815.


The royal palace in Senkadagala was built by King Vikramabahu the 3rd of Gampola on the advice of a Brahmin who selected the site as a lucky ground for a Capital city. The first king to ascended the throne of Senkadagala was Sena Sammata Wickramabahu.

When Wimaladharmasuriya the 1st ascended the throne in the city in 1592 he surrounded the whole of the vast city with a massive wall to ward off the foe and also fought against Portuguese at Danture and winning king returned to the city with the captive princess Dona Catherina as his queen and further improved the city and his palace using the skills of the captured Portuguese worriers and made the city of Senkadagala as the Capital of the hills. Then the Sacred tooth relic was brought back to the city from Delgamuwa Viharaya in the Sabaragamuwa Province and the King built (in 1592) a two storied temple in the neighborhood of the royal palace, thus adding yet another religious building to the already existing Natha Devale dedicated to the guardian god of the City. Since then it became the most sacred and venerated temple of the Buddhists.

There were 12 rulers who ruled the city of Senkadagala from 1469 to 1815 A.D.
During the period of Vimaladharmasuriya the 1st country was prosperous and peacefull.but with the succession of King Senarath, lots of internal problem arose and as he was not a crafty ruler but a pious Buddhist who has been a monk before ascending the throne. The king retired to Meda Maha Nuwara “Central Great City “as Portuguese marched to the under General Azevado and destroyed the whole city.
His successor Rajasingha the 2nd was a strong warrior and during his time there were two Portuguese invasions ;once in 1630 led by Constantine de Sa and in 1638 led by General Diogo de Melo de Castro.Portuguse were completely defeated in the famous Randeniwela battle in 1630 and in the remarkable Gannoruwa battle in 1638 but the Capital was set fire by the enemy. Even Rajasingha the 2nd had to face the internal revolt in 1664 led by Ambanwelle Rala.He was supported by Dutch who had arrived on cinnamon trade to the Country and extended the Kandyan Kingdom over a large territory in 1658.Although he joined the Dutch in the hope of driving away the Portuguese, his plans and hopes were in vain as Dutch were mainly interested in Cinnamon and so was the king who thought it was a source of income.

The Dutch began their Kandyan invasion in 1659.The territories won by the king over a period of 20 years were lost to the Dutch in three years. Battle took place in 1665 and again in 1675 and the Dutch were made to suffer defeat.

His successor was his son Vimaladharmasuriya the 2nd and according to his thought king of the hills is also the king of the whole country so he maintained peace and harmony with the Dutch and as a result people were able to live without fear.

The kings of Kandyan kingdom sought assistance from Vadugas (Nanayakkars of India who spoke Telugu as their language) from time to time against the invading Portuguese.Vimaladharmasuriya the 1st and King Senarath brought down Vadugas from Tanjore and Madura to fight the Portuguese. When King Rajasingha the 2nd fought the battle at Gannoruwa against Portuguese there have been a thousand Vadugas.With them came their families too who later inter mixed with the Sinhalese population in the hills.

Not only the common man even kings having connections with the Nanayakkar rulers of India even started marrying from vadugas as It is said that the Kings took these decisions in order to quell the power of his rebellious chiefs who were trying to get the throne back and to continue a pure royal line unmixed with the nobility.also there has been a absence of suitable royal families in Sri Lanka during that period. King Rajasingha the 2nd and his son Wimaladharmasuriya the 2nd had brought princess from Madura.
With the accession of Sri Vira Parakrama Rajasingha, The last Sinhalese king of Kandyan Kingdom had the throne in 1707 AD and his marrying a vaduga princess from Madura the Kandyan Kingdom fell in to the hands of Nanayakkars.

According to the law of succession in ancient Sri Lanka, It was passed from farther to son born of his queen or from brother to brother or sometimes to his sister’s son. However the royal status of both parents were considered important. But Narendrasingha selected the brother of his chief Madura Queen to succeed him as Sri Vijaya Rajasingha following the rule of succession had among the people in the Southern India at that time. With this came the end of Sinhalese dynasty and king Narendrasingha was the last Sinhalese king to rule the country.

This king was never religious or courageous but led the life of a playboy. He was known to Sinhalese as the “Sellan Nirindu” meaning playful king. He spent much of his life in his palace at Kundasale and at Hanguranketha; The villages close to the city. He had only a few close associates and many of kandyan aristocrats were against with him. But many foreigners were among his close associates. They never encouraged the development of the Buddhism but was very close to the catholic missionaries in Kandy.That led to criticizing of him and there were several uprising against his rule.

After all these events and incidents, Birth of a great Buddhist revivalist took place in this period, the venerable Velivita Saranankara, who became a great scholar and a guardian of Buddism.The king was not hostile towards him and later encouraged him in his religious work a little and He died in 1739.
As there was no children from his queen of Madura his wish was to hand over the throne to his brother in law. This was not fully accepted by the community because king left a son named Unambuwe Bandara with a queen of unequal rank. claim of the brother in law was unsuccessful. The child was educated by the venerable Valivita Saranankara and ascended the throne of Kandy in 1739 as Sri Vijaya Rajasingha.As a result the royal court was divided in to two. The king embraced the Buddhism and helped his teacher Ven. Valvita Saranakara to promote his Buddhist activities. Sri Vijaya Rajasinha too married another Nanayakkar prince from Madura and again got married to another from Madura seven years after the first. But he had no any children from either of them.

After the death of king the brother of his Madura queen ascended the throne in 1747 as Kirti Sri Rajasingha.He got married in 1749 to queen of Madura and He strictly believed that only a Buddhist could be the King of the Sinhalese and helped to develop the education which has been suffered due to the influence of Portuguese and King Rajasingha the 1st and renovated and built few religious monuments under the guidance of Ven. Valivita Saranankara .Dalada Perahera was once again conducted with great fashion along with the four Devala Peraheras and with the king himself taking part in the procession.It is said that he tried to follow the work of King Parakramabahu the great of Polonnaruwa Period. So his period of rule is considered a golden period of the history of Buddhism in the Kandyan period.
In 1760 there was a series of battle between the Dutch and the Kandyans and it went on for about six years. Dutch attempted twice to capture the Kandyan Kingdom and failed. Even a peace treaty was forwarded to the king but he refused it. When the Dutch could reach the city and destroyed the city, The King took the tooth relic and vanished from the capital. In 1766 the both parties entered in to an agreement as it was necessary to seek assistance of the Dutch to drive away the Portuguese.Again the rulers of Kandy felt the necessity of some foreign assistance to drive away the Dutch and sought the assistance of British.at first British were not that interested in the Kandyan Kingdom but later on having felt the importance of the Trincomalee habour they thought of getting assistance from the Kandyan kingdom for their war against the French.

Kirti Sri Rajasingha died in 1781 and his brother ascended the throne of Kandy as Rajadhi Rajasingha.The new king did not trust the British and sought the support of the French.British captured the Trincomalee from Dutch in1798 and defeated them in maritime provinces too in 1798.Then the British realized that it would not be difficult to establish their power over the island.

King Rajadhi Rajasingha died in 1798 and during his period again the kadyan Kingdom was collapsing in everything. Rajadhi Rajasingha had no children and the prime minister at the time called “Pilimatalawe” nominated an eighteen years old “kannasami” who was a distant relation of the deceased king as the successor to the throne thinking to capture the throne once the opportunity offered. The brother of three queens of the King disliked the decision and sought refuge with the British.So Kannasami ascended the throne in 1798 as Sri Vickrama Rajasingha.The king later disliked the activities of Pilimatalawe and in the mean time British tried to capture Kandy in 1803 and was a failiure. Then the British thought of getting the support of Kandyan chieftains who were against the King.Pilimatalawe infact approached the British for help. British thought of a tricky way of capturing Kandy and “John D’oyly” went on to learn the native language, associated with scholars, Composed poetry and studied the culture and belief of the people. That helped them to build up friendship with all the notable Kandyan chiefs of the time and learn the inside political story of Kandyan Kings

Sri Vickrama Rajasingha was a crafty ruler and did everything possible to make his ideas and plans true. He even divided chieftain on rule and drew his Nanayakkar relatives closer and appointed new chiefs like Molligoda in to high positions. The old chiefs like Ehalepola were made to feel angry and jealous on these acts of the King. He also appointed two chiefs where there had been one to administer certain provinces, so they would quarrel with each other. He punished those chiefs whom caused suffering to the poor people thus won the heart of many. The prices of essential goods were controlled and liquor was prohibited. He built a beautiful octagon in the Temple of the tooth relic for his use and the lake in front was prepared with forced labour. His decision to move out the four shrines dedicated to God Natha, Vishnu, Katharagama and Pattini was disliked by the Buddhist population. King was shown with an uncontrollable temper and once ordered to execute his son born to one of the sub queens. In the mean time the enmity between Pilimatalawe and the King risen day by day and he was dismissed from the office in 1810.Then Pilimatalawe tried to assassinate the king through a Malay man and failed. As a result of his act king ordered to execute him with 7 others. Then the king appointed Chief Ehelepola as the Prime Minister (Maha Adikaram) but never trusted him and moved out to take charge of Sabaragamuwa province and in the mean time he appointed another person to the same province as Ehelepola’s rival. Ehelepola kept in touch with the “De Oyle “ and raised a rebellion against the throne.”Moolligoda was sent to destroy it and Ehalepola had to take the shelter of British.

King was changed to act as a mad person from then onwards. A large number of people including Buddhist monks who were guilty and innocent were condemned to death as traitors. Then the brutal death punishment carried out on the wife and children of Ehelepola shocked the entire nation. It is said that for two days the whole of Kandy except the Kandyan court was like a house of mourning and no fire was kindled, no food was dressed and a general fast was held due to that incident. Both the people and their chiefs awaited the arrival of British to drive away the cruel king. British declared the war against the king of Senkadagalapura on the 10th of January in 1815 with the advice and help of Ehelepola and Molligoda maha adikaram too joined the British.although the king fled to Dumbara with his consorts and few attendants soon he was captured and on the 18th of February in 1815 and sent to Colombo and from there in 1816 to vellore in South India.Then on 2nd of March in 1815 the representatives of the two parties The British and the Sinhalease met in the audience hall of Kandy and to sign a pact as the British are the rulers of the whole country.

Although the Kandyan chiefs and peasants and monks joined British to get rid of the cruel king Sri Vikrama Rajasingha, They never expected the British to rule the country. They only asked British to help to drive away the king. Kandyan expected that Ehelepola would become their king. People again lost their hopes and they had no king to rule or protect them and their religion. Then the people got together under the leadership of Kandyan chief like “ Madugalle” and “Keppitipola”. In the men time British took “Ehelepola”, “Millawa” and few other in to custody, as they were to join the new rebellion. British could over come the situation with the capture of Keppetipola and Madugalle and condemned them to death. From then British continued to rule the whole country until 1948 and Sri Lanka was offered the freedom on 4th of February in 1948.

Water Sports


Condition of SriLanka is very good for water sports and available within a few hours from the city. winds condition are suitable for everyone and Srilanka hosted the 1983 World wind surfing Champion ship.Most of our beach resorts in Kalutara,Hikkaduwa,Beruwala,Colombo,Moratuwa Nigombo, Mt. Lavinia and Bentota. in the south west coastal area offer water sports such as windsurfing, Water skiing (some resorts have sea and rever frontage and offer both facilities), surfing, wave boarding, canoeing, sailing, boating, snorkelling, deep sea diving, exploration of offshore (submerged) wrecks, deep sea fishing, water polo, water gymnastics, water and jet scooter racing…. etc.

Golf in Sri Lanka

History of Golf

The history of golf in Sri Lanka can be traced back over a hundred years. Golf was first played on Galle face Green, the original venue of many a sport. It was popularized during the late 19th century due to the encouragement from regiments of the British Army.Actually, there is evidence that golf was played hear even earlier, during the Dutch period of 1651-1756. However, golf became popular all over the island during the British colonial period when clubs were formed in military and plantation areas.Only two of the original golf clubs, the Royal Colombo Golf club and the Nuwara Eliya Golf club, are in existence today. Both are over 100 years old and 18 hole golf courses in the island.

The annual Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship Tournament is conducted alternately at Colombo and Nuwara Eliya. It is open to all golfers both local and foreign, provided that they have a recognized handicap below 12. In Addition, each year, both clubs conduct their club championship tournaments which are open to visiting members.Whether you are an experienced golf player or just learning the game, a round of golf in sri Lanka in either of the century-old clubs is sure to be a pleasant and memorable experience.


Colombo Golf Club

The Colombo Golf Club was founded in March 1879 and later designated the Royal Colombo Golf club. Its first golf courses was on the Galle Face Green.The club moved to its present location at Model Farm Road, Borolo, in 1896. The nine hole course which was first constructed was gradually extended to form the superb 18 hole course of today.
A spacious two storied club house with a wide open verandah commands a view of the course and its surroundings. The white painted walls embellished with black timber work stand out against the smooth, green, well-tended course.

Golf enthusiasts visiting the island are welcomed as temporary members. Temporary members are entitled to use the club facilities which include a bar, restaurant and a well equipped professional's shop. Golf clubs are available on hire and caddies are allocated to each visiting player by the caddy master.For those who wish to learn the game, the services of a professional instructors are available. The Royal Colombo Golf club is situated within easy reach of the major hotels in the city.

Nuwara Eliya Golf Club

Five hours drive from Colombo and nearly 2,000m above sea level lies the picturesque 18 hole course of the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club. The golf course at Nuwara Eliya offers is reputed to be one of the best 18 hole courses in the East..

The Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, established in 1889, was selected as the venue for the first golf championship held in this country in 1891. The club is situated in the heart of Nuwara Eliya town, close to the park. The cosy club house with its boarded floors and open verandah, is equipped with a bar, restaurant, lounge, billiard room, badminton room and a professional's shop. These facilities are also available to visiting golfers on a temporary membership basis. clubs can be hired and professional coaching is available.

Rajawella Golf Club

Sri Lanka’s largest and newest golf course called Victoria Golf Club managed by Rajawella Holding Ltd. is situated at a cool & calm area near the Victoria dam which is closer to the little town of Rajawella in the Kandy District.It take only one hour drive from the Kandy city.



Email: victoria@sltnet.lk

Fishing


The Ceylon Anglers club, Chaitya Road, Fort (opposite the Lighthouse). Angling gear available for hire.the breakwater of the port of Colombo is a popular place for anglers. Entry is by permit issued by the ports Authority. The estuary of the kelani river, the wellawatta canal, and the Galle face spill beside the old Parliament Building are other sports frequented by anglers.

Recreational Activities in Colombo & Golf in Sri Lanka

Golf - The Royal Colombo Golf Club, on Middle Farm Road, Colombo 8, is an 18- hole Golf course, situated in a picturesque fringe of the city. The club accepts temporary members, and the caddies are of international class. Pro Shop is also available.

Tennis - The major hotels such as the Oberoi, Inter-continental, Ramada, Taj Samudra and Hilton have facilities for tennis. If you are a non-resident, advance bookings are advaiced. Several private clubs welcome temporary members and guests to their courts. Among these are the Orieant club; Rajakeeya Mawatha, near Royal collage, Sri Lanka Tennis Association 45, Sri Marcus Frenando mawatha, Colombo 7,Women's International club, 16, Guildfort crescent, Colombo 7. and Nondescripts cricket club, Maitland Place, Colombo 7.

Squash - The Oberoi, Inter-continental, Taj Samudra and Ramada hotels have facilities for squash. Temporary membership could also be sought at the Gymkhana club and at the otter Aquatic club, 380, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, (Bullers Road), Colombo 7.

Swimming - Within the city, the "Kinross Beach" at Wellawatte is a very popular place for good sea bathing and swimming. A little south of the city is Mount Lavinia Beach - 12km from the Fort - which is the most popular place for the sun and sea. The kinross Swimming & life saving club, station Road, Wellawatta, offers temporary membership to visitors Among private clubs which allow temporary members and guests to use their pools are the otter Aquatic club,380, bauddhaloka mawata, Colombo 7 .Sinhalese sports club, Maitland place, Colombo 7 and the Colombo swimming club, "strom lodge", Galle Road, Colombo 3 . Arrangement could also be made to use the swimming pools of the leading hotels in the city.

Health Clubs - All of the five-star hotels in Colombo have sports centres and health clubs on their premises which offer a wide range of physical fitness equipment’s and activities, only a few - the Hilton, Ramada and Taj - have temporary memberships for short-term visitors

Aerobics Classes - Fast becoming one of the most popular ways of staying fit, Some of the five star hotels having a regular program of aerobics classes conducted by trained instructors.

Rowing and Boating - The Colombo Rowing club, which has a fine club house by Beira Lake at 51/1 Chittampalam Gardiner mawata, Colombo 2 (entrance opposite lake house bookshop).The Royal Colombo yatch club, located at Colombo harbor, has dinghy racing.The Ceylon Motor Yatch club, 14 miles south of Colombo on Bolgoda Lake, Moratuwa too has dingy racing.

Zoo and Aquarium - The Zoological Gardens and Aquarium situated at Anagarika Dharmapala Mawata, Dehiwala, just outside the city limits on the south, are well worth a visit. The zoo has a very large collection of species from Sri Lanka and abroad. A very popular attraction is the circus by performing elephants held at 5.15 p.m. every day The zoo is open from 9 a.m. daily.

Parks - The Vihara Maha Devi Park - at Colombo 7, opposite the town Hall, is a very pleasant place for a quiet walk or to be in the shade of large fiowering trees. It is a well-tended large park . there are several small parks scattered throughout the city, many of which feature playgrounds.

Bambarakanda falls

Bambarakanda is the tallest of all SriLanka’s falls.789 feet in height. It is however, a wet season fall. A glorious spectacle from October to March when heavy rains turn it in to an impressive, unbroken deluge. The main access to the falls is along a minor but mortable road via Haputale and Kalupahana.Kalupahana is 22 km from Balangoda or 32 km from Wellawaya.from kalupahana proceeding 3 km along a narrow road through Weerakoongama you come to the gorgeous waterfall.

Ravana Ella( Ravana Falls)


It is on the Ella –Wellawaya road and visible from the main road. Although the main drop is 30 ft in height, it’s a wide fall and the water rushes over several steps adding to it’s beauty.Ravana falls is closely linked in legend with the great epic of the east.Ramayanaya.It’ name is from Ravana, The powerful demon king who once ruled SriLanka.The cave hidden behind the fall is still believed by many to be one of the places where he hid the beautiful princess, Sita, after her abduction from India.

Diyaluma Falls ( skein of water)


Diyaluma ,on the Poonagala Oya rever off the Koslanda- Wellawaya road is another spectacular sight spilling over a straight rock wall. 559 ft in height. Diyaluma is often rated as Sri Lanka’s highest water falls, upstaging Bambarakanda.It is 13 km from Wellawaya town and 6 km from Koslanda in the Hills and seen like a soft veil, is seen from the Balangoda – Wellawaya highway too.

Legend says that Gods, seeing the heart break of a prince whose runaway romance ended in the death of his sweetheart whom he had tried haul over the Diyaluma precipice, created this beautiful cascade to weep forever in the wilderness.

Devon falls


Visitors to the Tea country get the opportunity of viewing it. 280 ft in height and viewing place for this lovely falls is from the 20th milepost on the Talawakelle –Nawalapitiya road.

Bopath Ella (Bo-leaf fall)


Makes a leap of 100 ft on the Kurd gang, a tributary of the Kale ganga.a water fall not known for it’s height but for the sheer beauty of formation. The name Bo path Ella derives from it’s perfectly heart shaped head, much like the leaf of the sacred bo tree. It is one of the favorites picnic spot of Sri Lankans due to it’s proximity to the city of Colombo.

just 15 km from Colombo-Ratnapura road, once reached the Higashena junction, and then branches off to the Agalawatta road and from there it’s only a few minutes…

Water falls


The mountains of Sri Lanka abound with waterfalls of exquisite beauty. Numbering more than hundred and many of them are virtually unknown, hidden away in forest or approached by steps and remote tea plantation tracks. In fact for it’s size Sri Lanka has recorded water falls than another country.

Sri Lanka’s numerous revers, fed by two half – yearly monsoons, with topography of high and steeply scarped peneplains, and rever beds of hard erosion-resistant metamorphic rock, all provide ideal ingredient for the formation of waterfalls.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

The Mahaweli Centre (MC)


Located in the heart of Colombo, the Mahaweli Centre serves as a socio-cultural and educational institution devoted to several aspects of Sri Lanka's premier irrigation project, Mahaweli River Diversion Project, including a museum devoted to preservation and display of artefacts of Sri Lanka's hydraulic heritage. The Centre is equipped with an air-conditioned auditorium specially suitable for conventions with facilities for accommodating 250 delegates, modern audio-visual aids, screening 16 and 35 mm films, and audio recording.

Mahaweli Centre
Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawath,
Colombo 07, Sri Lanka
E-mail: slcbhq@lanka.ccom.lk

Sri Lanka Foundation Institute


Extremely popular with small to medium gatherings, and situated in a very quiet and picturesque part Colombo, SLFI offers for convention holders, air-conditioned auditorium with up-to-date audio and visual systems, catering facilities, rooms and all modern communication systems and ample parking space. Convention facilities are up to 350 delegates

Sri Lanka Foundation Institute
100, Independence Square, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka
E-mail: slcbhq@lanka.ccom.lk

Sri Lanka Exhibition & Convention Centre


The Sri Lanka Exhibition & Convention Centre (SLECC) is a foreign investment project within the Pico Holdings Group Network of Singapore.

The multi-purpose, custom-built and fully air-conditioned facility. Offering 40,000 sq. ft. of column free space overlooks the beautiful Beira Lake and is strategically located in the heart of Colombo, merely a short walk from most leading hotels and the commercial/financial district. We offer expertise in exhibitions and conventions organisation, event management and co-ordination, and are the pioneer foreign PCO/PEO.

Intertrade Lanka Management (Pvt) Ltd
12, D R Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka
E-mail: slcbhq@lanka.ccom.lk
Contact person: Mr. Sukhdev Singh - General Manager

Sausiripaya- ICTAD


Sausiripaya is the headquarters of the Institute for Construction Training & Development (ICTAD). An ideal location for a mini convention within Colombo city limits, with a fully air-conditioned sound proof auditorium with seating facilities for 220 delegates, audio recording facilities, visual aids, large screen computer application and simultaneous translation facilities for 3 languages.

Sausiripaya
123, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka
E-mail: slcbhq@lanka.ccom.lk

Mount Lavinia Hotel Catering Services


Mount Lavinia Hotel Catering Services is franchised to cater to all functions at the BMICH, and is an extension of the famous Mount Lavinia Hotel, which has a fine reputation for handling banquets since 1877 and can well claim to be Sri Lanka’s largest caterer. Its catering service ranges from a cosy cocktail to larger gatherings of over 1500 persons at conferences. Its quality of food and service and the attention to detail is highly acclaimed by both local and foreign clients. Whatever the function is, be it a cocktail, wedding reception, conference, convention, meeting, convocation, award ceremony, symposium, musical show, drama festival or garden party, you have the unbeatable combination of the BMICH and Mount Lavinia Hotel Catering Service.

Mount Lavinia Hotel Catering Services, BMICH, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka,
E-mail: lavinia@sri.lanka.net
contact person: Mr. Udeni Perera - Manager

Export Trade Centre


Located in the very heart of Colombo and easily accessible, with all facilities for a fair sized conventions. A two storied building, with the ground floor serving as Sri Lanka's export product showcase. Managed by Sri Lanka Export Development Board, and serves as an information centre designed to provide vital data to current and potential overseas customers. Air-conditioned auditorium provides Convention facilities up to 100 delegates.

Other facilities include foreign currency exchange, restaurant and parking, IDD, etc. Over 25 enterprises displaying and selling export quality products.

Export Trade Centre
Transworks House, Lower Chatham Street, Colombo 01, Sri Lanka
E-mail: slcbhq@lanka.ccom.lk

B.M.I.C.H. The venue for Conventions – a fitting place


The ultimate in Sri Lanka’s Convention facility is exemplified by the Bandaranaike International Memorial Conference Centre. The BMICH offers a full range of halls for plenary meetings as well as break-up rooms.

The Conference Centre continues the tradition of providing a venue for International Conventions, Trade Shows, Exhibitions, Seminars, Beauty Pageants, Musicals with Dramatic Presentations and all the usual conference services.

Catering has been franchised to the Mount Lavinia Hotel Catering Services.

Sri Pada ( Mountain of Butterflies )


The only mountains in the world where four major religions get together and worship. To the Buddhist, the imprint found on the summit of the mountain is the hallowed footprint of the Lord Buddha hence the Name “SriPada”. To the Hindus, the footprint is that of God Shiva. To the Christians, it is the footprint of St. Thomas, and to the Islam, it’s the foot print of Adam, hence the title “Adam’s peak”. Another name given by Sinhalese is “Samanala Kanda” meaning Butterfly Mountain due to the fleet of butterflies fling around with the start of the season.It is 2243m in height above the sea level and about 27km (16 miles) from bottom to the top by foot or 14.4km(9 miles) by vehicle and 12km (7 miles) by foot to the top of the pointed peak.

Since the 11th century the mountain has been a place of pilgrims. King Vijayabahu the 1 and King Nissankamalla of Polonnaruwa both recorded their pilgrimage here. Pilgrimage season begins from the full moon Poya day of December and continues until the Wesak festival in May. At other times the mountain is wet and rains make the trail dangeruose. Thosands of people makes the journey every year. Most of them climb in the night. The trail is illuminated by lamps. Pilgrims rests and the refreshment stalls make the climb easier. Those who reach the summit by dawn witness a glorious view of sun rising.

Sri pada pilgrims follow a number of traditions proceders. It’s customary for first time climbers to bathe at the stream call “Seetha Gangula” and to pile white cloth on their heads. At “indikatu pana” (place of the needle). The devotees stop and hang a threaded needle in to a shrub by path’s side, marking a spot where the Buddha is said to have stopped to mend a tear in his roab. It is bad form, by the way, to ask how far is it to the top...? Instead just exchange the greetings “karunawai”: “peace”. Some sing folk songs. The huge bell at the summit is strucked by every pilgrim once for each time they visited. Present visit is not counted, as it’s not completed until they return home. Wearing a sweater is a must as it could be very cold at the summit.

Major Skinner, the well known engineer of fame during the British rule over Ceylon (Sri Lanka formerly known as Ceylon), in his celebrated book, “fifty years in Ceylon”(1891) has described how he has seen the marvelous shadow of the summit which can be seen with sun rising when he had camped out there in 1840.

“I used to see the most wonderful effects when camping out. On one occasion, my sojourn on Adam’s peak lasted for a fortnight on the top of the cone, where I waited for clear weather, which I did not get. To admit of my completing of my observations. One morning as the sun was rising, the shadow of the mountain was thrown across the whole land and sea and to the horizon, and for a few minutes the apex was doubled, and so clearly marked that the little shed over the impression of Buddha’s foot was perfectly distinct in the shadow.

Another most curios effect was when the mist has lain deep in the valley bellow, between the great peak range of Rakwana, it was an exact representation of the sea: the clouds rolling against the base of the mountain resembling the surf beating against the cliffs which seemed to project in to the sea, the point of the hills peeping through the mist, appeared like beautiful islands.”

Revers In Sri Lanka


Mahavali Rever (Ganga) is the largest of the 103 rever basins found in Sri lanka.It covers about 16% of the island’d total area.The river itself has a winding course,rising about 50 km south of Kandy and flowing north then north-east to the sea near Trincomalee covering a distance of 320 km.It is the only perennial rever to cross the dry Zone.Sri Lanka’s all perenial revers are called Ganga,while seasonal streams are called Oya in Sinhala or Aru in Tamil.A number of revers have now been developed both for irrigation and power.The victoria project on Mahavali Ganga is one of the largest in Asia.

Rainfall in Sri Lanka



Rainfall

Annual 2540 mm to over 5080 mm in south west of the Island. Less than 1250 mm in the north west and south east of the Inland.

Rainy Seasons

South West Monsoon- May to August
North East Monsoon- November to February

Piduruthalagala In Sri Lanka


Sri Lanka's highest mountain which is about 8200 feet above sea level, it will take you through some exciting and anxious moments because of it's difficulty in getting to the top, but the climb is worth your effort, because it will take you through some beautiful scenery that one won't forget. One will come across beautiful small waterfalls, because many waterfalls begin from this mountain.

National Tree In Sri Lanka


NA (iron wood) or (Mesua Ferrea)
This rain forest tree grows to about 30 m high and indigenous to the lower wet Zone of Sri Lanka.

Remarkable Features of NA is beautiful bright Red Leaves and finally matured in to a deep green. Timber has a very hardness and durability and used to make bridges in the early times. But now not allowed for timber due to it’s religious value. It's believed that the first visit of Buddha was to grove of a NA Tree at Miyanganaya and also the next Buddha (mithriya) will attain enlightenment under a NA tree. The flower of NA is also used in herbal medicine and preparation of perfumes, cosmetics and soaps. This was named as the National Tree in 1986.

National Emblem In Sri Lanka


Sri Lanka used the British emblem when it was a British Crown Colony.

We continued to use it even after gaining independence in 1948. According to the recommendations of a select committee appointed to devise a state emblem more suitable for Sri Lanka (Ceylon) we opted for a new State Emblem. It had a Lion with Sword in its right fore paw encircled with a Palapethi open petal design top. Below there was a strip carrying the country's name in Sinhala, Tamil and English.

A new republican emblem was chosen after the country was declared a Republic on May 22, 1972. In addition to the lion with a sword and the Palapethi open petal design it portrays the Punkalasa, dhammachakka, sun, moon and two sheaves of paddy.

National Bird In Sri Lanka


Wali kukula (Ceylon Jungle fowl)
or
Gallus Lafayetti

Jungle fawl the National Bird of Sri Lanka is commonest in the National Parks and forests.A typical fowl strutting about and scratching the ground for food.

English Meaning of Anthem

Mother Lanka we worship Thee!
Plenteous in prosperity, Thou,
Beauteous in grace and love,
Laden with corn and luscious fruit
And fragrant flowers of radiant hue,
Giver of life and all good things,
Our land of joy and victory,
Receive our grateful praise sublime,
Lanka! we worship Thee.

Thou gavest us Knowledge and Truth,
Thou art our strength and inward faith,
Our light divine and sentient being,
Breath of life and liberation.
Grant us, bondage free, inspiration.
Inspire us for ever.
In wisdom and strength renewed,
Ill-will, hatred, strife all ended,
In love enfolded, a mighty nation
Marching onward, all as one,
Lead us, Mother, to fullest freedom.

National Anthem in Sri Lanka


After gaining independence from foreign rule the people of Sri Lanka were kindled with patriotic feeling. On the recommendation of the Sri Lanka Gandharva Sabha a competition to select a national anthem was conducted in January 1948.
At this competition Mr. Ananda Samarakoon's composition "Namo Namo Matha" was chosen as the National Anthem on 22nd November 1951.The main theme of the Anthem is designed to install honor and respect to the Motherland and create national development through unity.
During the early 1950s there was a controversy about the national anthem. A defect was found in the lyrics and the opening words were changed as "Sri Lanka Matha - Apa Sri Lanka". The first rendering of the National Anthem was made on Independence Day February 04th, 1952 by a group of 500 students from Musaeus College, Colombo and it was broadcast over the radio. The National Anthem is incorporated in Section 7 third schedule of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Climate in Sri Lanka


Sri Lanka Lies between 6 - 10 of North Latitude and Between 80 - 82 of East Longitude. It has a Maximum Length of 432 km (Devundara to Point Peduru) and Maximum Breadth 224 km (Colombo - Sangamankanda) . The Land Area is 65,525 Sq. km. The Area Excluding the Inland Water 62,336 Sq. km. The hills appear in the center and the south of Center. Sri Lanka is generally a warm country.

Sri Lanka has no marked seasons. A special feature is that the hot and humid lowlands and the salubrious hill country are separated by a few hours motoring.
Average mean temperature along the coast is 26.7 C (80 F) and 19.7 C (66.50 F) in the hill country. In Colombo, the commercial capital, situated on the west coast, the temperature varies from 26.4 C (79.5 F) to 27.8 C (82.12 F). Relative Humidity varies from 70% during the day to 90% at night. In the lowlands the climate is typically tropical with an average temperature of 27OC in Colombo. In the higher elevations it can be quite cool with temperatures going down to 16OC at an altitude of nearly 2,000 meters. Bright, sunny warm days are the rule and are common even during the height of the monsoon - climatically Sri Lanka has no off season. The south west monsoon brings rain mainly from May to July to the western, southern and central regions of the island, while the north-east monsoon rains occur in the northern and eastern regions in December and January.

vesak Festival in Sri lanka


One of the biggest religious festivals of Sri Lanka is the Vesak festival which is celebrated in the month of May. This is the most significant of all Buddhist festivals and it marks three of the holiest of all Buddhist beliefs i.e.: the Birth, Enlightenment and Parinibbana of Lord Buddha.
Vesak devotional songs, sil campaigns, Bodhi Poojas, Dansalas, Pandals, lanterns, greeting cards and stamps are some of the things that we see every year at the time of this Buddhist festival.

Buddhists commemorate the important events that took place in the life of Lord Buddha on this Vesak Full Moon Poya Day. First comes the birth of Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini in Nepal which took place under the arbor of Sat trees where queen Mahamaya gave birth to him.

The second event was Siddharta Gautam's supreme attainment as the Buddha, the Enlightened One. The third event was Lord Buddha's Parinibbana over 2500 years ago at Kusinagar.
In the Vesak week we find many activities conducted by the Buddhists devotees such as devotional song campaigns, almsgiving, lighting of Vesak lanterns ..etc. Many Viharas are filled with Atasil devotees and pilgrims all over Sri Lanka to mark this great event.

In temples Buddhists worship, offer flowers, light lamps and burn incense. These traditional observances, in essence, have their value in satisfying the religious and emotional needs of the people. On this holy day the Dana plays an important role. Every devotee gives alms. This is a sign of sharing with joy and peace with people. The Vesak Pandal depicting various Jathaka stories with paintings are erected all over Sri Lanka. They are illuminated and presented beautifully.

Many Vest lanterns are displayed at houses, which are very attractive and beautify the nights.
There is a long-standing tradition in Sri Lanka of sending greeting cards on this joyous occasion. People share their happiness among relatives and friends by exchanging Vest cards. Many associations arrange to hold an exhibition of paintings or competition on Vest lanterns. The winners are awarded valuable prizes.

Thaipongal in sri lanka


January is the celebration of Thai Pongal, the merriest and by far the most popular of the Hindu festivals of Sri Lanka. This feast of the sun, the harbinger of a plentiful harvest, should, strictly speaking, be observed on December 23, the day after the northern solstice. but Hindu astrologers have, however, fixed the date to coincide with January 14, the first day of the auspicious month of Thai. this family festival, with many time - hallowed rituals begins with the boiling of a pot of rice at sunrise on the front doorstep of the house and the delightful cry of the family gathered round the pot: "Pongal! Pongal! auchu!" which means exactly what one would expect" It's boiling It's boiling!"