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Photo Essay ~ Sri Lanka:
A Land of Many Wonders
by LUCÍA BURBANO
On a map, the island
of Sri Lanka looks like a teardrop falling from the Indian
subcontinent. The Arabs named the island Serendib, the origin of
the English word “serendipity,” meaning the role of chance in
happy discoveries. Either by chance or attracted by the island’s
location and natural resources, travellers ranging from the
Malays to the British have left their mark on Sri Lanka. Marco
Polo described it as “the finest island in the world” whereas
Pablo Neruda, the Chilean writer and Nobel Prize winner, found
unsought solitude in the country’s immense tropical rainforest
while working on "Residence on Earth." Two famous names, amongst
others, exemplify what a mesmerizing effect that Sri Lanka can
exert on its visitors. Travellers to the island encounter a warm
welcome from local residents, a stunning heritage, a slow pace
where stress is a meaningless concept, and a well preserved
natural environment that satisfies both the sea lover and the
hill trekker. This series of photographs illustrates the
diversity of Sri Lanka that has been harshly hit by Nature and
an ongoing local conflict between the government and the LTTE
(Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Elam). Through it all, Sri Lanka never fails to fascinate.
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Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage
Tea, which was introduced by the British in the nineteenth century, is the main industry in Sri Lanka. Traditionally, Tamil ladies are in charge of gently picking the heart of the plant, which is then processed to produce the best quality tea. Ceylon tea is recognised to be one of the best worldwide. There are different types depending of the thickness and colour, and it grows mainly in the hill country, where the altitude and humidity blend in to provide ideal conditions for it. Sri Lanka is a very fertile country, where enormous, juicy and delicious fruits grow effortlessly. Local vendors line the roadsides selling mangoes, papayas, pineapples and coconuts. Founded in the 70's to look after orphaned baby elephants, the Pennewala Elephant Orphanage is now the world’s largest of its kind, and it keeps growing every year. Visitors to the sanctuary get the chance to see how baby elephants are fed and enjoy a bath in the nearby river. The combination of wild monkeys and ruined city reminds the visitor of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, which is set in the neighbouring country of India. Like in the book, these monkeys in Polonnaruwa seem to have taken these ruins as their own territory. This picture was taken during poya, or full-moon, a very sacred day and bank holiday in Sri Lanka. Families and friends get together to watch the sun disappear under the sea. A very popular and beautiful place to watch the sunset is from the ramparts that border the Fort, or old town, in Galle. Sunset is a very precious time for Buddhists. It is the time to pray to Lord Buddha, a ritual they practise three times a day, at sunrise, midday and sunset. Temples are filled with candles and incense creating an atmosphere of respect and devotion. The ruined city of Polonnaruwa is one of the highlights of what it is known as ‘the Cultural Triangle’. This reclining Buddha is one of the most famous sights in the country and a spectacular piece of art for its dimensions and detail. Train journeys are full of entertainment, so you do not need to worry in case you forgot to bring something to read. People walk up and down the aisle, selling you chillies, fruit, prawns, tea or rotti, keeping your senses busy. If you are lucky enough to get a seat, the views are also enjoyable. Using public transport is definitely a good way to discover how the country works. Trains, despite being slow, are full of character and constitute a veritable piece of history. It is impossible not to think of the influence of the Industrial Revolution and British legacy when boarding one. The effects of the tsunami which devastated the country in December 2004 are still very visible. New legislation does not allow houses to built less than 100 metres from the beach, so the damaged buildings remain, like carcases of what were, until not too long ago, the homes and businesses for thousands of Sri Lankans. The fishing industry was severely affected by the tsunami. Most boats were destroyed, preventing fishermen from doing their job and, therefore, having no means of earning money or providing food to their own families. This community is one that probably received more international aid, as it is quite common to see new boats donated by different countries.
Tea, which was introduced by the British in the nineteenth century, is the main industry in Sri Lanka. Traditionally, Tamil ladies are in charge of gently picking the heart of the plant, which is then processed to produce the best quality tea.
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