Ceylon Tea Museum – vintage Hanthana Tea Factory By Arundathie Abeysinghe     Kandy is a mandatory stop in tourist itinerary. Breathtaking vistas, salubrious climate, culture, arts, handicrafts, Kandyan hospitality and scenic attractions have all contributed to Kandy as a famous tourist destination. Dotted with verdant tea estates in the surrounding hills, *Hanthana, *Nilambe, *Hewaheta, *Pussellawa and *Gampola as well as situated at an altitude of 650 meters – 1300 meters of tea cultivation, Kandy is known as a ‘mid-grown’ tea region. In 1867, Tea cultivation started in Sri Lanka in Kandy in *Loolcondera Estate. The weather in Kandy providing a conducive environment for ‘Kandy Tea’, a bright infusion with a coppery strong tone as tea estates in Kandy are clustered in valleys where the wind is less fierce and sheltered from monsoon winds. A few years ago, the first Tea Museum in the world was set up in Hanthana ...

Read More →

Ritualism is not Buddhism – Venerable Galkande Dhammananda – by Raj Gonsalkorale The multi religious and multi ethnic approach taken by the Walpola Rahula Institute (WRI) and its head, Venerable Galkande Dhammananda to advance social healing amongst all people in Sri Lanka and elsewhere is set to take a major step forward with the increasing focus on online programs that could potentially reach vast audiences from the comfort of their homes. In the context of widespread ritualism experienced and expressed as Buddhism in Sri Lanka, the focus on Buddha’s teachings on the principles of his doctrine and the need for society to be healed of many mental wounds they carry, the WRI and Venerable Dhammananda offers a breath of fresh air to those who are confused and even disillusioned with ritualism that is being expressed as Buddhism. The uniqueness of the Walpola Rahula Institute in Sri Lanka, begun by Venerable ...

Read More →

Crocodile Rock – archaeological site in Arugam Bay By Arundathie Abeysinghe   Situated in Arugam Bay in East Coast of Sri Lanka, a surfers’ paradise, Crocodile Rock is also known as “Elephant Rock”, according to many tourists. The site is known as “Crocodile Rock” due to its elongated ‘snout’ shape. In reality, the name is derived due to mugger crocodiles that access this site via the adjoining Heda Oya (Oya meaning stream in Sinhala). At times, there are mugger crocodiles basking in the sun on Crocodile Rock. Situated around 320 kilometers east of Colombo adjacent to the Indian Ocean, Arugam Bay is one of the best surfing sites in the world. Crocodile Rock is situated at the river mouth where Heda Oya falls to the sea, towards east of *Sastrawela Mani Naga Pabbatha Viharaya. The area of Crocodile Rock is a popular beginner as well as intermediate surfing site.  Crocodile ...

Read More →