Sri Lanka SIRI | ශ්‍රී ලංකා සිරි

Isurumuniya Lovers (ඉසුරුමුණි පෙම් යුවල)

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:28:26 PST

2010-07-24 (Lali's Home Comming, Thammanna Hotel, Anuradhapura)

While attending our batch mate Lalindu's Home Coming, I had chance to visit ancient Buddhist temples (ATAMASTANA - අටමස්ථාන) in Anuradhapura, with few of my batch (UCSC_2003-4) mates.

4-6th 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 The Great King Dutugemunu's son Saliya(සාලිය) and the law caste (Sadol Kula - සැඩොල් කුල) maiden Asokamala(අසෝකමාලා) whom he loved. It's known that he gave up the throne for her.

Badulu Train (උඩරට මැණිකේ)

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:28:13 PST

2006-03-04 & 05 (Siripa Wandanawa - Hatton to Rathnapura)

During second semester of the 2^nd year, with my batch (UCSC_2003-4) mates.

The Railway line from Colombo to the Hill Country.

The first railway line of the Sri Lankan Railway Network is the Colombo-Kandy line, built by the British in the mid 19th century.

The Original objective of constructing the railway line from Colombo to Badulla was to provide transportation to European planters to transport their crops, coffee and tea, from the hill country to Colombo easily & with less expense.

Mother (අම්මා /அம்மா)

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:28:01 PST

2007-02-10 & 11 (Lourdes Feast Day - Holy Cross Church, Kalutara)

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in Kalutara was built in 1908.The Grotto is situated in the premises of Holy Cross Church. Kalutara. Located on Small Mountain which directly faces “Kalu Ganga Lagoon”.
Because of its outstanding view, this church becomes the central venue for the catholics in Kalutara area.
Annual Lourdes Feast held on 2^nd weekend of the month of February. The Centenary year of Our Lady Of Lourdes Grotto Kalutara was celebrated on the 14th and 15th February 2009, with the precence of Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis Archbishop of Colombo , Chancelor of the University of Colombo.

The two main Catholic Schools of Kalutara are situated on either sides of the Grotto. They are, Holy Cross College towards the South of the Grotto which was started in 1901, currently managed by Marist Brothers and Holy Family Convent situated towards the North of the Grotto which was started in 1933 and currently managed by Holy Family Sisters.

Hidden Beauty

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:46:13 PST

2008-11-08 (2nd Turn to Hanthana) with UCSC 2008-9 batch.

We were the 2^nd and now it is turn of 6^th batch of UCSC to follow the same steps in Hantana which we were cross over 4 years back. As same as all other Sri Lankan Universities freshers they also selected this place as the destination of their first year batch trip.

This bush was captured in-between first and second hill tops in Hantana. My self, Kande, Manju & Sedar become the first group of UCSC who did this foolish thing again which we already does before in August 2004.

Shade to Others

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:27:35 PST

2008-08-01,02 & 03 (Annual Retreat - Viyani Retreat & Guest House, Buluthota, Rakwana)
With Catholic Student Movement of University of Colombo.

This is center of Tea Estate in Viyani retreat house Buluthota. I must say that, this is the best location for retreat house and according to my experiance this is the best retreat house among the all retreat houses around in Sri Lnaka.

Take your turn to Buluthota to feel the joy of life.

Rose and Statue

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:27:25 PST

2006-07-26,27 & 28 (Annual Retreat - Monte Fano Retriet House, Ampitiya, Kandy)
With Catholic Student Movement of University of Colombo.

Captured this Rose and Statue inside the OSB seminary in Ampitya.

The members of the Sylvester Benedictine Order (OSB) with a 162 year record service in Sri Lanka, was mainly co-ordinate through this place. (Montefano, Ampitiya, Kandy)

Episcopal Consecration of the Bishop of Rathnapura, His Lordship Bishop Cletus Chandrasiri Perera O.S.B, was held in July 11 of 2007, and he is the gift given to this Order.

Another important thing of this place is that copy of the Holy Shroud is kept under the supervision of OSB fathers in these premises. Special chapel call “Holy Shroud Chapel” was build to adore this real size shroud.

Belilena Cave (බෙලිලෙන)

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:27:15 PST

2008-04-06 (1st Year Batch Trip - Kitulgala)
With LLB students of Open University of Sri Lanka.

Belilena is a very large cave, in which the 12,000 year old skeletal remains of the prehistoric ‘Balangoda man’ (Homesepiens Balangodensis) have been found.

In order to reach the cave you have to walk through the jungle, close to the Inoya estate (approx. 8 km from Kitulgala itself and Kitulgala is 36 km from Avissawella that is in the border of Colombo District which is 55 km from Colombo).

Located 2000 feet above sea level, the Belilena Cave lies amidst picturesque environs close to Kitulagala. Recent archaeological excavations conducted at the cave have unearthed several fossils believed to be more than 32,000 years old.

Kitulgala is also popular among the local and intenationl travelers because of some other reasons as well.

White Water Rafting through Keleni River
Sri Lanka's BEST government rest house..
The Bridge on the River Kwai filming location in 1957.

Sri Lanka Planetarium (ශ්‍රී ලංකා ග්‍රහලෝකාගාරය)

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:27:04 PST

2008-02-28 (Researchers Educational Trip No 1 - Sri Lanka Planetarium)
4^th years educational trip no 01 of UCSC_2003-4 batch.

Declared open on 1^st of February, 1965 during Ceylon Industrial Exhibition.

After 4 years of university life we found our way to one and only Planetarium located in our own university premises.

We enjoyed 1 hour show about our own solar system, galaxy and star signs (Mythical) which we can observe in 7pm-4am in our sky.

After the show everyone felt like we were just wake up in the morning and all researchers talk about that the common show in this planetarium have to enhance with the use of new technology to more attractively and effectively teach to the students.

Entrance through Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.
English shows on the last Saturday of the month at 1400 hrs.
Special shows in English can be arranged for parties of 75 or more.
For further information please contact: Planetarium, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. Tel: +94-11-2586499.

Religion Under Nature

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:26:53 PST

2006-07-05 (Subodhi - Moratuwa)
With Catholic Student Movement of University of Colombo.

Without any argument this is the most favorite retreat house in Sri Lanka.
Seminars for catholic students and various religious activities are carried out here.

Fr. Dr. Mervyn Fernando is the founder of this place. It is truly outstanding location for retreat, recently build chapel in the center of the premises add extra value to this place.

This place located in 255 bus root (Katubadda Junction to Piliyandala), adjoining to Bolgoda Lake.
Other side of the lake it is University of Moratuwa, which holds Sri Lanka’s largest Engineering Faculty and one and only Architecture Faculty.

"Pirunu Kale Diya Noselei" (Filled Pot)

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:21:00 PST

2007-08-03,04 & 05 (Annual Retreat - Santhana Retreat House, Haloya, Galaha)
With Catholic Student Movement of University of Colombo.

During the evening break of second day (4^th August) I captured this fully filled water pot, near by the canal which flow near by the retreat house.

In Sri Lanka we always said that “Pirunu Kale Diya Noselei”. (ජන වහර)
This image is best example to prove it.

What its mean is, even though continuously water flows, and can’t go into inside of the pot because pot already fully filled.

"Gamai Pansalai" (Vilage and Temple)

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:21:20 PST

2007-08-03,04 & 05 (Annual Retreat - Santhana Retreat House, Haloya, Galaha)
With Catholic Student Movement of University of Colombo.

This picture was captured by "brenda" (Anushka Mendis) who is my UCSC batch mate while we are on our way to Kandy, for the Annual retreat of CSM UOC.

Another special thing about this is he took this shot at the time that Colombo-Kandy intensity express train running on its natural speed passing Ambepussa area. (around 60 Kmph)

This is true image of the traditional Sri Lankan concept "Gamai-Pansalai Wawai-Dagabai".

The Last Supper

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:21:38 PST

2007-01-27 (AGM - St. Mary's Church Bambalapitiya)
This is front view of Alter of St. Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya.

View more Church Alters.

It represents the scene of the last supper The Last Supper from the final days of Jesus as narrated in the Gospel of John 1:21, when Jesus announces that one of his twelve disciples would betray him.

Hanthana

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:22:28 PST

2004-08-21 (1st Year Batch Trip - Hanthana)
1^st year batch trip of UCSC_2003-4 batch.

Hanthana Mountains is the most common place visited by almost all the freshers in Sri Lankan Universities.

It is same to the Computer Science undergraduate in UCSC.

This how my batch mates followed the same steps in August 2004, whether they like it or not.

Madduma Bandara

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:22:57 PST

2005-09-26 (Trip to Kandy - Dalada Maligawa & Peradeniya Gardens)

With Catholic Student Movement of University of Colombo.

Built by the “Madduma Bandara Weera Lama Peramuna” in memory of child hero Madduma Bandara Ehelepola inside Dalada Malilgawa premises.

Aged 9 years. Who on 17 May 1814 faced the executioner’s sword with supreme courage exhorting his elder brother with words :

"elder brother don't fear, I will show you how to die"

Holy Cross Church, Kalutara

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:23:16 PST

2007-02-10 & 11 (Lourdes Feast Day - Holy Cross Church, Kalutara)

Holy Cross Church located on Small Mountain which directly faces “Kalu Ganga Lagoon”.
Because of its outstanding view, this church becomes the venue for almost every catholic wedding in Kalutara area.
Annual Lourdes Feast held on 2^nd weekend of February month.

Tsunami Victim

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:23:40 PST

2005-01-14,15 & 16 (Tsunami - Galle Distric)
Near by ‘Kahawa’ where the train washes out by Tsunami.
3 days in Galle District (after Tsunami December 26^th 2004) with UCSC friends for project carried out for National Child Protection Authority.

Patterns of Nature

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:23:54 PST

2007-03-02,03 & 04 (Center AGM - Monte Fano Retreat House - Ampitiya, Kandy)
With Catholic Student Movements of Universities in Colombo region.
Benedictine Monks
Montefano Pics

Ambuluwawa, Gampola

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:24:39 PST

2007-02-25 (3rd Year Batch Trip - Ambuluwawa)
3^rd year batch trip of UCSC_2003-4 batch.
Ambuluwawa Stamps

"Niyagala Mala" (Gloriosa Lily)

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:25:18 PST

2005-09-26 (Trip to Kandy - Dalada Maligawa & Peradeniya Gardens)
With Catholic Student Movement of University of Colombo.

Siri Dalada Maligawa

cjkumarage@gmail.com (CJ) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 05:26:02 PST

2005-09-26 (Trip to Kandy - Dalada Maligawa & Peradeniya Gardens)
With Catholic Student Movement of University of Colombo.