SRI LANKA ~ Kandy Perahera Festival ~

... Beautiful decorated elephants....during the event, they’re presented as being “sacred animals” because they are transporting the sacred Tooth... Kandy Perahera, one of Asia's highly traditional and most spectacular parades, takes place in the Buddhist month of Esala, usually in August... with also  hundreds of dances performing traditional dancing, drummers carrying various types of drums, fire and people in traditional Kandyan dresses... considered one of the main tourist attractions and watched by about 500.000 people... I know it is tradition but I think the elephants don't feel so happy here... dressed up and with all that noise... Thanks a lot Ravindra!!【ツ】

The Kandy Esala Perahera festival also known as The Festival of the Tooth is one of the oldest Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka. It began as a procession that took place in the 4th century, when a relic – a tooth that was believed to belong to the Buddha – arrived on the island from India. The festival has taken place every August since 1754.

During the procession, up to 200 elephants wearing beautiful costumes take turns carrying the relic.

Stamp:

Visit of Gudrun Yngvardottir - Lions Clubs International President
(Issued 03-12-2018)

SRI LANKA ~ Map ~

... Lovely illustrated map card showing many highlights of the island..."the spice island" for its flavors... also known as the "Pearl in the Indian Ocean" and not just because of its teardrop-like shape... surrounded by the Indian Ocean Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful tropical islands in South Asia... because of its unique location there are so many things to do and see... visiting ancient ruins, hiking in the lush green mountains, the Ella train journey, trek through tea plantations, see beautiful beaches, spotting wildlife in the National Parks... of all of the places shown here I have received many wonderful postcards over the years from my dear postcard friend Ravindra💙! Thanks! ❁◕ ‿ ◕❁

Sri Lanka is located in the Indian Ocean southwest of the Bay of Bengal and  separated from the mainland portion of the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait.

The island  has a maximum length of 432 km and a maximum width of 224 km.

The legislative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, is a suburb of the commercial capital and largest city, Colombo.

For administrative purposes, the country has been divided into nine provinces and subdivided into 25 districts.

 It is known until 1972 as Ceylon.

Stamps:

The 100th Anniversary of Volleyball
(Issued 07-12-2016)

2X Vesak Festival
(Issued 07-05-2019)

SRI LANKA ~ Nuwara Eliya ~

... Lots of wonderful highlights of a quaint town also known as "Little England"... due to it being where British settlers built their holiday bungalows and spent their down time... there are tonnes of Colonial style buildings dotted all over the place... located in Sri Lanka's beautifully lush hill country... the coolest area in Sri Lanka... famous for its tea plantations and  the most important location for tea production in the country... the town is also a market centre for rubber, vegetables, rice, and fish... there are  many cascading waterfalls... 💚Nuwara Eliya is truly a magical stop in Sri Lanka💚... Thanks a lot Ravindra!!ツ

© Vijitha and Lalana Yapa
Nuwara Eliya is located in south-central Sri Lanka in the hill country of the Central Province, It lies at an elevation of 1,889 metres above sea level, immediately south of the island’s tallest mountain, Mount Pidurutalagala at 2,524 metres.

From 1830 Nuwara Eliya was a hill station used by the British residents of what was then Ceylon.

Its name means "city on the plain (table land)" or "city of light".

Stamps: 

State Vesak Festival
(Issued 17-05-2019)

Tissa Balasuriya, 1924-2013
(Issued 29-08-2013)

Traditional Sinhalese Exorcism ritual
(Issued 1-05-2018)

SRI LANKA ~ Arugam Bay ~

... Second beautiful view of another  new???😍 series of postcards of my "paradise island"...  a tiny place, with a population of a few hundred... everything is dotted along a single road which parallels the coast... this moon-shaped curl of soft sand is home to several quality breaks in the area that many regard as the best surf spot in the country... but it makes also makes a great base for several adventures in the surrounding hinterland... tourists are also attracted by the local beaches, lagoons, historic temples and the nearby Kumana (Yala) National Park... Big Thanks Ravindra!! (✿◠‿◠)

Arugam Bay  known locally as "Arugam Kudah", is a bay situated on the Indian Ocean in the dry zone of Sri Lanka's southeast coast, and a historic settlement of the ancient Batticaloa Territory.

 The bay is almost of 320 kilometers (200 mi) due east of Arugam Bay, and covers an area of roughly 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) south of the market town of Pottuvil.

Stamps:

Asian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU) Executive Council Meeting
(Issued 15-09-2014)

The 100th Anniversary of the International Labour Organization
(Issued 11-04-2019)

The 25th Anniversary of the Death of Cyril Ponnamperuma
(Issued 28_à3-2019)

SRI LANKA ~ Tuk Tuk - Galle Fort - UNESCO ~

... Wonderful pastel colored building... without the tuk tuks on front I would have thought it came from the south of France... Galle Fort is easy to explore by tuk tuk and has been drawing visitors for decades... a common and cheap way of transport on the island... it's open space allow you to view the surrounding... they can be vary in decorations with interesting phrases in their backside... must be an adventure exploring the island in this colorful and may I say a fun-looking vehicles👍😃!! Thanks a lot Ravindra!!\_(♥‿♥)_/

Recognized as one of the few remaining living forts in the world, the 17thC fort in Galle edged by the Indian Ocean, covers nearly 150 acres of land and houses over 400 buildings. Initially built by the Portuguese, the fort was later fortified by the Dutch and then taken over by the British in the 1800s.

Old colonial period churches, warehouses, hospital buildings, offices and mansions – some over 400 years old, line the narrow roadways. Most are refurbished keeping to the original architecture and now houses museums, galleries, cafes, shops and even stylish villas and boutique hotels.

The heritage value of the fort has been recognized by the UNESCO and the site has been inscribed as a cultural heritage UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stamps:

Tissa Balasuriya, 1924-2013
(Issued 29-08-2013)

International Thalassaemia Day
(Issued 19-05-2019)

The 100th Anniversary of the International Labour Organization
(Issued 11-04-2019)

SRI LANKA ~ Kandy - UNESCO ~

... Many lovely views of the last royal capital of Sri Lanka and a major tourist destination... famous for the Temple of the Tooth and many other temples... the city could be called the cultural capital of the island... steeped in tradition and history...  also known for its scenic beauty... one of the centerpieces of the town is Kandy Lake an artificial lake in the heart of the hill city... built in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasing the last ruler of the Kingdom of Kandy next to the Temple of the Tooth... and it was a surprise that it didn't came from Ravindra but Jobbo! Thanks!!【ツ】

Lying 115 km from Colombo, Kandy is Sri Lanka’s second biggest city and the capital of the central province. The busy town is situated in a valley at an elevation of 600m, inside a wide loop of the Mahaweli River and is surrounded by hills covered with tropical vegetation.

Once the capital of the Sinhalese Kandyan kingdom, it is now a mountain resort and market center for an area producing tea, rubber, rice, and cacao.

Spread over an area of around 1940 square kilometers, it is counted amongst the world heritage sites of UNESCO.

Stamp:

Flowers of Sri Lanka
(Issued 07-10-2016)

SRI LANKA ~ Fishing Boats - Negombo ~

... Nice view of traditional Sri Lankan" outrigger" (known locally as Oruva) fishing boats... carved out of tree trunks and nylon nets to bring in modest catches from September through till April...  unless the weather is very stormy the fishermen go out fishing every day early in the morning and late at night... for stability these long thin boats have an outrigger that is kept on the windward side...  nowadays the fisherman also rent them to tourists to make a trip at sea...Thanks a lot dear Ravindra!!(✿ ♥‿♥) It was such a relief to hear that you and your family are safe after the brutal terror attacks on your island...

Photo :© Vijitha & Lalana Yapa
Negombo  is a major city in Sri Lanka, situated on the west coast and at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon, in Western Province. Negombo is one of the major commercial hubs in the country and the administrative centre of Negombo Division.

It is is known for its long sandy beaches and centuries old fishing industry. Negombo has a large bilingual population of Roman Catholics, known as Negombo Tamils who have their own Tamil dialect but mostly identify themselves as Sinhala.

Stamp:

The 150th Anniversary of Ceylon Tea
(Issued 13-07-2017)

SRI LANKA ~ Horton Plains National Park - UNESCO ~

.... Great nature view... the beauty of Horton Plains is its picturesque setting... the high altitude plains with its cold breeze, beautiful mountains, misty surroundings, tall green trees and crystal clear streams makes it a haven for trekking and bird watching...the park is considered a very important birding area in Sri Lanka containing 21 endemic bird species... it is one of the world best nature reserves and eco tourism venues... Thanks a lot Ravindra! ❀◕ ‿ ◕❀

Horton Plains National Park at Ohiya is a protected area in the central highlands and is covered by montane grassland and cloud forest. This plateau at an elevation of 2,100–2,300 metres above sea level is rich in biodiversity and home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna.

This region was designated a national park in 1988.

Sri Lanka’s Highlands along with Horton Plains National Park, the Peak Wilderness Protected Area and the Knuckles Conservation Forest was declared a World Heritage site in 2006.

Stamps:

The 30th Anniversary of the Death of Walpola,
(Issued 19-12-2013)

2X Asian-Pacific Postal Union Executive Council Meeting
(Issued 15-09-2014)

Ho Chi Minh, 1890-1969
(Issued 28-04-2014)

 Philip Revatha (Ray) Wijewardene, 1924-2010
(Issued 31-10-2014)

SRI LANKA ~ Galbokka Point Lighthouse - Colombo ~

.... One more nice view of the many lighthouses on the island... this  pretty small lighthouse is actually an important monument in the city of Colombo and would have been wonderful when it commanded imposing views of the Indian Ocean.... but today it is far from the sea as the government is reclaiming it by filling the area with sand.... workers are busy developing the area with cranes in every direction... Thanks a lot Ravindra!!【ツ】

Colombo Galbokka Lighthouse in Sri Lanka is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. It is located at Galbokka Point south of the Colombo harbour on the waterfront along the marine drive, in Colombo fort.

The lighthouse was built in 1952 with a height of 34 meters after the Old Colombo Lighthouse was deactivated when its light became obscured by nearby buildings. The seaward side of the tower is painted in a black and white checkered pattern.

Stamps:

Flowers of Sri Lanka
(Issued 07-10-2012)

The 200th Anniversary of the Uve-Wellassa Struggle
(Issued 30-11-2018)

 The 100th Anniversary of Rubber Trade
(Issued 27-10-2018)

SRI LANKA ~ Oluvil Lighthouse - Oluvil ~

... Beautiful view of one of the many lighthouses on the island... most of them are unique and represent a high architectural and historical value... this is the only built after the independence of Sri Lanka together with a fishing harbor... Thanks a lot Ravindra!!【ツ】→ Lighthouses on Post Cards

Oluvil Lighthouse is a lighthouse situated on the southern east coast of Sri Lanka at Oluvil.

The 24-meter-high lighthouse is a white cylindrical tower and was built in 1999 as a part of the development of Oluvil Harbour and it was constructed with lantern and gallery, attached to a one-story small equipment building.

The lighthouse was declared open on 19 June 1999.


Stamps:

2X Traditional Sinhalese Exorcism ritual
 (Issued 1-05-2018)

Ho Chi Minh, 1890-1969
(Issued 28-04-2014)

Sri Lanka ~ Barberyn Lighthouse - Barberyn Island - Beruwala ~

... Great scenic lighthouse view situated on a small island among many palm trees... a slice of paradise nestling in the Indian Ocean... the tower stands at the edge of a cliff battered by waves and wind... built to serve as an aid for navigation, and to warn marines of hazardous coastlines... a ten minute boat ride will take you to this lighthouse, away from the bustle of the mainland... Barberyn lighthouse is still active and open to the public... Thanks a lot Ravindra!!¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Barberyn Lighthouse is a lighthouse located on Barberyn Island. Barberyn Island an 3.25 ha island situated offshore from the town of Beruwala on the south-west coast of Sri Lanka,

The lighthouse is a 34 m (112 ft) high round white conical granite tower with lantern and gallery. The tower was established in 1890 and operated by the Imperial Lighthouse Service.

Stamps:

Famous people
(Issued 19-12-2013)

National Heritage
(Issued 05-01-2019)

The 200th Anniversary of the Uve-Wellassa Struggle
(Issued 30-11-2018)

SRI LANKA ~ South West Coast Beach ~

.. . Stunning tropical palm tree lined tranquil beach view🌞... known as the gold coast for the colour of its sand... and the beautiful turquoise blue sea...  paradise does indeed exist... just imagine having this all to yourself... here it is *once more* a dark, grey, gloomy☁ winter day...  Big Thanks Ravindra!ツ

The West coast is the area stretching south from Colombo towards Galle. It was of the first areas to be developed and most tourists oriented from all. The beautiful coastline is full of hundreds famous resort towns and hotels with different standard.

You find here gorgeous beaches, colonial towns, stilt fishermen, fantastic wildlife parks and Buddhist shrines and temples.

Stamps:

The 200th Anniversary of the Uve-Wellassa Struggle
(Issued 30-11-2018)

Sustainable Energy for All 20. March
(Issued 20-03-2012)

 Rathmalane Sri Dharmarama Nayake Thero 1828-1885
(Issued 02-12-2018)

SRI LANKA ~ Moonstone - Anuradhapura - UNESCO ~

... A great and rare relic of the past... this is one of the most wonderful and characteristic moonstones in Sri Lanka, and an excellent example of its kind... Buddhist places of worship came to have a beautiful first step, a symbolic welcome to all who would enter... a must see item of ancient history... Thanks a lot Ravindra!!【ツ】

The moonstone (Sandakada Pahana) is a permanent feature of the Buddhist building of all historical periods. This is a semi circular piece of stone which stood at the foot of a flight of steps in most Buddhist buildings.

First seen in the latter stage of the Anuradhapura period, the sandakada pahana evolved through the Polonnaruwa, Gampola and Kandy period. According to historians, the sandakada pahana symbolizes the cycle of Saṃsāra in Buddhism.

Stamps:

The 50th ASnniversary of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (Issued 23-12-2013)

2X Traditional Sinhalese Exorcism ritual
(Issued 1-05-2018)

SRI LANKA ~ Gold Watch - Colombo National Museum ~

... A  nice "vintage" postcard... a Gold watch once owned by the last ruler of the Kingdom of Kandy, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha... the King was eventually deposed by the British under the terms of the Kandyan Convention, in 1815, ending over 2300 years of Sinhalese monarchy on the island... the island was incorporated into the British Empire, and Sri Vikrama Rajasinha was succeeded by George III, as monarch of British Ceylon... many treasures like these can be seen at The Colombo National museum... Thanks Ravindra!!❁◕ ‿ ◕❁

The Colombo Museum as it was called at the beginning was established on 1st January 1877. It founder was Sir William Henry Gregory, the British Governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) at the time.

National Museum of Colombo is the largest museum in Sri Lanka. It is maintained by the Department of National Museum of the central government. The museum holds a collections of much importance to Sri Lanka such as the regalia of the country, including the throne and crown of the Kandyan monarchs as well as many other exhibits telling the story of ancient Sri Lanka.

Sri Vikrama Rajasinha (1780-1832) was the last of four Kings, to rule the last Sinhalese monarchy of the Kingdom of Kandy in Sri Lanka.

Stamps:

Wild Animals of Sri lanka
(Issued 24-05-2018)

Flowers - Peony
(Issued 10-03-2012)

SRI LANKA ~ Traditional Designs - Masks ~

... These beautiful, colorful masks are used at different occasions by the locals in Sri Lanka... the making and wearing of traditional masks has been an integral part of Sri Lankan culture and art for thousands of years... for those interested in the art of Sri Lankan mask carving or mask dances, a trip to the coastal town of Ambalangoda is a must... there you will find the Mask Museum: a museum, workshop and library dedicated to everything mask related... with matching "masks" stamps... Thanks  a lot Ravindra!!【ツ】

Originating from the coastal regions south of Colombo in southern Sri Lanka, this ritualistic dance evolved from folk rituals.

These masks also carry different facial expressions according to the dance act. To name some, Kolam masks in Kolam dramas carry a funny looking humorous type of an expression while Raksha masks carry a fearless devilish expression.

As the dance gets going, the drummer sets a hypnotic rhythm on the special 'demon drum' and the dancers start spinning by rotating their torsos in increasing speed until they achieve their awe inspiring finale.

Stamps:

International Organizations (Lions International)
(Issued 06-10-2007)

2X Traditional Sinhalese Exorcism ritual
(Issued 1-05-2018)

SRI LANKA ~ Working Elephant ~

...Nice view of a working elephant with his handlers... elephants hold symbolic, cultural and economic importance in Sri Lanka... this human-elephant relationship dates back to a period of over 5,000 years... these majestic beasts have been used for transportation of people on their back, carrying, hauling and lifting logs and other heavy objects like stones for construction purposes...  currently in Sri Lanka elephants are mostly used for ceremonial occasions... but elephants are at the centre of a dilemma in Sri Lanka between centuries-old tradition and a growing awareness of animal rights.... today the elephant has become part of Sri Lanka’s ecotourism... Thanks a lot Ravindra!! ❀◕ ‿ ◕❀

Ⓒ Lasantha Lakmal
The Sri Lankan subspecies is the largest and also the darkest of the Asian elephants, with patches of depigmentation areas with no skin color on its ears, face, trunk and belly. They are about 3.4 m tall, and can weigh up to 5,400 kg.
This subspecies is the National animal of Sri Lanka and is native to the island country. It once lived over the entire island. They now live in the dry zones in the north, east, and southeast. These zones are mainly dry deciduous woodland, scrubland, grassland, and marshes. There is a small group in the rainforest. 

Today, the Sri Lankan elephant is considered to be an animal that is in immediate danger of becoming extinct due to the fact that Sri Lankan elephant populations have been declining at a critical rate. Sri Lankan elephants are thought to be suffering primarily due to habitat loss in the form of deforestation and hunting for their ivory tusks by human poachers.

Stamps:

60th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Navy
(Issued 09-12-2010)

2X Traditional Sinhalese Exorcism ritual
(Issued 1-05-2018)

SRI LANKA ~ Dambulla Rock Temple - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful interior Cave Temple view... these caves form the best preserved and biggest cave temple complex in Asia and the most impressive of Sri Lanka... they displaying a range of Buddha statues and beautiful artwork... all related to Lord Buddha and his life... the centre of pilgrimage and a sacred place for Buddhists and Hindus for 22 centuries.... it's the island's most popular historic site... the five main caves contain almost 150 images of the Buddha... Thanks a lot Ravindra!!【ツ】→  http://worldontrains.blogspot.com/

Dambulla Cave temple is situated in the central part of the country. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains above the central city of Dambulla. The history of the caves, rock and temple dates from the 1st century BC. During the 18th century, the caves were restored and painted by the Kingdom of Kandy. There are five caves (shrine rooms) in Dambulla temple. All of these caves arc full of statues of Buddha and various personages of the Buddhist Order or History.

The Temple of Dambulla were declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1991.

Stamps:

 The 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
(Issued 12-11-2013)

Traditional Sinhalese Exorcism ritual
(Issued 1-05-2018)

SRI LANKA ~ Rice Paddy Fields - Hill Country ~

... Great panoramic view... the hill country is Sri Lanka’s green lungs with its tea gardens, rice fields, mountains and waterfalls... rice continues to be the staple food among Sri Lankans...  it is cultivated by farmers on a small-scale in the rural regions principally in the Northern and Eastern plains.... but unfortunately as Sri Lanka is located in the tropics their rice industry is largely threatened by climate change... tales of rising temperatures and heavier rains are backed up by the country's scientists...  Thanks a lot Ravindra!!【ツ】

© Third Eye - Walter Keller
A paddy field is a flooded parcel of arable land used for growing rice and other semi aquatic crops. Paddy fields are a typical feature of rice farming in east, south and southeast Asia. Paddies can be built into steep hillsides as terraces and adjacent to depressed or steeply sloped features such as rivers or marshes. They can require a great deal of labor and materials to create, and need large quantities of water for irrigation. Flooded paddies provide an ideal environment for rice cultivation and discourage the growth of many weeds.

Stamps:

 2X Christmas
(Issued 30-11-2014)

2X The 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
(Issued 14-11-2013)

Seashells
(Issue 22-05-2007)

SRI LANKA ~ Saman Villas - Bentota ~

... Once more a tropical paradise... the perfect "dream" place for a holiday...  a beautiful hotel in an amazing setting with splendid views of the Indian Ocean ...Saman Villas is perched on the summit of a headland rocky outcrop at the very border of the pristine beach of the south western coast...  a place of tranquility, disturbed only by the sounds of birds and the waves breaking on the rocks below... with dense coconut plantations right behind it... and with nice selection of stamps as always... Thanks a lot Ravindra!!ヽ(ヅ)ノ(still waiting for your Tibet card🤞)→ http://lighthousesonpostcards.blogspot.com/

Photo: © Juergen Schreiber
Saman Villas located in the fishing village of Aturuwella, near the south west coastal town of Bentota. Saman Villas opened its doors on Christmas day in 1995. It is Sri Lanka’s first boutique hotel.

The hotel consists of 27 suites for guest accommodation set out in two-storey villas, some equipped with private pools, a restaurant, bar, sunset lounge, an infinity pool, library, snooker table, boardroom facilities that can house up to 12 people, a jewellery shop, gym, sauna, hot tub and a spa.

Stamps:

 Wild Animals of Sri lanka
(Issued 24-05-2018)

 Vesak
(Issued 28-04-2018)

 World Health Day
(Issued 07-04-2018)

SRI LANKA ~ Abhayagiri Dagoba - Anuradhapura - UNESCO ~

... Another lovely view of the sacred City of Anuradhapura...  a complex of ancient Buddhist dagoba ruins...  a photo of restoration work at the Abhayagiri Dagoba at the Abhayagiri Monastery... the works started in 2008 and and it took till 2015 to get it done due to lack of funds... it's the second largest stupa on the island... Thanks a lot Ravindra!!【ツ】

The 75 meter high Abhayagiri stupa was constructed in the reign of King Vattagamini Abaya (commonly known as King Valagamba) in the 1st Century BC.

According to the 5thC traveler Chinese monk Fa-Hsien’s descriptions, this stupa has been 400 feet (122 meters) in height and has been decorated with gold and silver and studded with all kinds of jewels.There also has been a 20 foot (6.1 meters) high Buddha statue made out of green jade.


Stamps:

Vesak
(Issued 28-04-2018)

2X Vesak (Issued 09-04-2018)