Savouring Rambutans: A Juicy Delight from the Tropics – By Bhanuka – eLanka Rambutan, with its vibrant red skin and soft, translucent flesh, is one of the most loved tropical fruits in Southeast Asia and beyond. Its exotic appearance, sweet flavor, and numerous health benefits make it a fruit worth savouring. Native to Malaysia and Indonesia, rambutan has gained popularity in countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Philippines, and even tropical regions of Central America. For fruit lovers seeking something refreshing and nutritious, the rambutan stands out as a juicy gem from the tropics. When in season, rambutan trees burst into color, their branches laden with hairy, crimson or yellowish fruits that seem almost otherworldly. The name “rambutan” comes from the Malay word rambut, meaning “hair,” referencing the fruit’s hairy exterior. Inside, however, lies a surprise—peel away the spiny skin and you’ll find a smooth, white or pale pink flesh ...

Kumana Village: A Hidden Story – By Bhanuka – eLanka Deep in the southeastern corner of Sri Lanka’s Kumana National Park, where the wilderness whispers its secrets through rustling trees and bird calls, lies the haunting remains of a once-inhabited settlement—Kumana Village. Overgrown with jungle, hidden behind canopies of ancient trees and winding dirt paths, this forgotten village raises a question that echoes through time: what really happened to the people who once lived here? Today, most visitors know Kumana for its majestic birds, wild elephants, and leopard sightings. The park is a birder’s paradise, teeming with painted storks, black-necked storks, pelicans, spoonbills, and hundreds of migratory species. But nestled quietly near the Kumbukkan Oya river—far from the popular bird-watching zones—is a story largely overlooked by the outside world. Only fragments remain: stone ruins, the skeletal frames of huts, weatherworn wells, and trails that lead to nowhere. Locals and forest ...

The Ancient Chronicles of Ravana: History Lost in Time – By Bhanuka – eLanka Ravana, the mighty king of Lanka, often remembered through the lens of myth and epic tales, is to me far more than a character in a story. I believe in Ravana not as a villain but as a visionary, a great ruler, a learned scholar, and a powerful force in ancient history whose real legacy has been distorted over time. When I hear his name, I don’t think of him as a demon king, but as a symbol of lost greatness and the richness of a forgotten civilization. I am proud of Ravana, proud to believe in his truth, and proud to stand for a history that demands rediscovery and respect. Ravana’s story is mostly known through the Ramayana, where he is portrayed as the antagonist, the one who abducts Sita and wages war with Rama. ...

Tradition vs. Technology: The Battle Brewing in Sri Lanka’s Tea Industry – By Bhanuka – eLanka Sri Lanka’s tea industry, long steeped in tradition and hailed as one of the finest tea producers in the world, now stands at a crucial turning point. For over 150 years, the island’s tea estates have depended on human hands—mostly women from rural communities—to carefully pluck two leaves and a bud, the signature of high-quality Ceylon tea. But today, amid rising labour shortages, global competition, and economic pressures, the industry is being pushed toward mechanization. This shift has sparked a complex debate: can machines preserve quality and heritage, or will they uproot the very soul of Sri Lanka’s tea legacy? The Legacy of Handpicked Perfection Since the British introduced tea cultivation in the 19th century, Sri Lanka has developed a global reputation for producing premium orthodox tea. The hallmark of this tea lies in ...

Elephants and Road Safety in Sri Lanka: Understanding the Causes and Crafting Solutions – By Bhanuka – eLanka Sri Lanka, often celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant biodiversity, is also home to the majestic Asian elephant (Elephas maximus maximus), a symbol of cultural pride and ecological importance. However, in recent years—and notably into 2025—the increasing frequency of road accidents involving elephants has raised concerns among conservationists, motorists, and local communities. These incidents, while tragic, offer an opportunity to reassess how human development and wildlife conservation can progress hand-in-hand. This article delves into the root causes of these unfortunate collisions and explores forward-thinking solutions aimed at protecting both humans and elephants—without pointing fingers or casting blame. Instead, it celebrates innovation, cooperation, and empathy as essential tools for building a harmonious coexistence. The Rising Concern in 2025 According to recent data compiled by wildlife monitoring organizations, Sri Lanka recorded several incidents ...

Emerald Illusion: Tea, Rainforests, and Sri Lanka’s Disappearing Wilderness – by Bhanuka – eLanka Sri Lanka, often described as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” is a land of mesmerizing landscapes—from misty tea plantations and lush rainforests to cascading waterfalls and sunlit beaches. But beneath the emerald canopy lies a sobering truth: the nation’s biodiversity is quietly vanishing. Once blanketed by verdant rainforests teeming with endemic species, much of Sri Lanka’s natural world now faces threats from development, agriculture, climate change, and the legacy of colonial cultivation—especially tea. A Land of Green Paradox Drive through the hill country of Sri Lanka and you’ll witness endless green hills. To many tourists, these rolling tea estates look like unspoiled nature. But in reality, these are monoculture plantations that have replaced biodiverse rainforests over the last 150 years. Introduced by the British in the mid-19th century, tea cultivation transformed Sri Lanka’s economy—and ecology. ...

Green Invaders: How Guinea Grass Supports the Rise of Munia Populations in Sri Lanka – By Bhanuka – eLanka In the rich tapestry of Sri Lanka’s diverse ecosystems, few stories are as intriguing—and as complex—as the relationship between an invasive plant species and the vibrant flocks of Munias that now thrive across the island. The humble Guinea Grass (Megathyrsus maximus), introduced as a fodder crop, has become an unlikely ally for these small, seed-loving birds, fueling a fascinating ecological shift. The Arrival of Guinea Grass Originally from Africa, Guinea Grass was introduced to Sri Lanka during the British colonial period as an excellent forage crop for livestock. Its hardy, fast-growing nature allowed it to spread quickly, thriving in the island’s warm climate and varied soil conditions. While its benefits for livestock farming were undeniable, its aggressive growth quickly turned it into an invasive species. Today, Guinea Grass carpets vast areas ...

The Rain Tree: A Majestic Giant of Sri Lanka’s Landscapes – By Bhanuka – eLanka Family: Fabaceae (the bean family)Sinhala Name: Para Mara The Rain Tree (Samanea saman), known as Para Mara in Sinhala and Nilal Vahai in Tamil, is an iconic tree that graces many landscapes across Sri Lanka. With its massive, umbrella-shaped canopy and delicate, feathery foliage, this tree is not only a visual delight but also plays a vital role in local ecosystems and communities. Origins and Distribution The Rain Tree is not originally native to Sri Lanka; it is native to Central and South America and was introduced to the island during the colonial period. Today, it has become a familiar sight in Sri Lanka’s urban areas, rural landscapes, and alongside roads and fields. Physical Characteristics Rain Trees can grow to impressive sizes, often reaching heights of 25 to 30 meters. They have a wide-spreading canopy ...

The Soul of the Island: Sri Lanka’s Enduring Bond with the Elephant – By Bhanuka – eLanka The elephant is more than an animal in Sri Lanka—it is a living emblem of culture, reverence, and memory. For centuries, the Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus) has walked the plains, forests, and sacred sites of the island, deeply interwoven into the nation’s spiritual and cultural fabric. Its form is carved into the walls of ancient temples, its image painted in folklore and tradition, and its presence honored in majestic parades and gentle rituals. To understand the elephant in Sri Lanka is to touch the soul of the island itself. Standing as the largest and most robust subspecies of the Asian elephant, the Sri Lankan elephant is characterized by its grandeur and grace. With dark grey skin often tinged with pinkish patches on its face, ears, and trunk, and a notably smaller ...