Sallitivu Island – uninhabited islet in Vakarai – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located in *Batticaloa District in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka and significant due to its rich biodiversity, the islet is connected to the mainland over a sand bar approximately 200 meters in length. During the high tide as well as during the low tide, this sand bar is exposed, few inches below water. The islet is protected by a ring of coral reef with a 200-meter wide reef on the eastern side. During the high tide season, the sand strip gets covered with water and the sea shore is covered with dead corals. Although, the beach is wide and is pristine, it is covered with a thick layer of washed in coral rubble after the Tsunami that occurred in 2004. According to research conducted in the area, it was discovered that majority of the coral reef is not ...

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“Girihandu Seya” – first Buddhist stupa? – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Girihandu Seya (“Seya” meaning stupa or dagoba) also known as “Nithupathpana Vihara” is an ancient Buddhist Temple in *Thiriyaya in *Trincomalee.  Girihandu Seya is considered as the first Buddhist Stupa in Sri Lanka, believed to have been constructed by two seafaring merchants *Tapassu and *Bhalluka. Names of the two merchant bothers are recorded on a rock inscription in the temple premises. According to the inscription, Girihandu Seya was constructed by the guilds of merchants named “Trapassuka” and “Vallika”, Their names were written as “Tapassu” and “Bhalluka” in Sinhala chronicles. Situated on a small hillock near the sea coast, approximately 47 kilometers (29 miles) towards north of Trincomalee, the stupa of the Temple has been enlarged during the 8th century A.D. The Vatadage (literally meaning circular relic house or shrine) covers the stupa with concentric circles of stone pillars, almost similar ...

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Sri Lanka attracts 30000 tourists in December – By Arundathie Abeysinghe   Over 30,000 tourists have arrived in Sri Lanka up to today (19) and aspires to attract the target of 800,000 by end of December. Setbacks experienced due to economic and political crisis, alongside protest campaigns that ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, tourist arrivals decreased during the first six months, this year. Currently, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is on the way towards recovery. Tourism sector is gathering momentum with large numbers of tourists arriving in Sri Lanka. *Ella is the most popular destination of tourists this year, followed by Kandy, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Galle. Tourism sector plays a significant role in the island nation’s economy, making up 12 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the third largest source of foreign exchange, providing much-needed revenue for the government. Tourism brings employment opportunities adding thousands of direct ...

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“Arisi Malai” – beach with unique sand – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon is an island country in South Asia situated in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal and southeast of the Arabian Sea separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar as well as the Palk Strait. Sri Lanka is rapidly gaining global recognition as one of the most beautiful beach destinations in the world. The island nation offers diverse landscapes from spectacular mountains, rolling carpets of tea, cascading waterfalls, rainforests to endless kilometers of white sandy beaches. *Trincomalee, popularly referred to as “Trinco” by many Sri Lankans, is home to an uninterrupted stretch of spectacular coastline with crystal clear white sandy beaches and clear blue waters that stretch for almost 30 kilometers. Trincomalee is home to some of the most breathtaking beaches in Sri Lanka including Nilaveli Beach, Uppuveli, ...

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Mahakanadarawa Stone Bridge – skilled craftsmanship of yesteryear – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Centuries ago, Sri Lankans had well-planned infrastructure, irrigation systems including well-constructed tanks supplying water for agricultural purposes, architectural marvels such as cave temples, dagobas (stupas), well-designed palaces, meditation houses, audience halls and a superior road network as well as bridges… During the early period of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, the main administrative centers were *Anuradhapura and Magama in *Ruhuna with a highway linking these two cities. A road network also connected Anuradhapura with Jambukolapattana (Dambakola Patuna) in the Jaffna Peninsula, Mathota or Mahatitta (also known as Manthai) near Mannar and *Trincomalee (known as Gokanna). These three ports served as the most significant trade centers. Anuradhapura-Dambakolapatuna Road was via the villages of Rambeva, Omanthai, Pavatkulam and Vavunikulam. There were several stone bridges including those in close proximity to Anuradhapura over the Malwathu Oya (“Oya” meaning stream in Sinhala) and another ...

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Round Island Lighthouse – beacon to daring seafarers – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located on top of a small rocky island in Round Island *Trincomalee in the outer harbor of *Trincomalee bay, Round Island Lighthouse also known as Trincomalee Lighthouse or Kevuliya Lighthouse is a round cylindrical masonry tower, 21meters high with a lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is painted in white color. The Lighthouse is accessible only by boat. Yet, the island and lighthouse are closed to the public. But visitors can see the lighthouse at a distance from *Marble Beach. The lighthouse is operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. In 2016, Round Island Lighthouse was renovated and the tower was repainted. The light in Round Island Lighthouse is fixed and can be seen for 16 kilometers (10 miles). The lighthouse on the Island was constructed in 1863 and has a focal plane 21 meters (61 feet) ...

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Marble Beach – a pristine beach in a sheltered bay – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated approximately 17 kilometers from *Trincomalee, Marble Beach also known as “Marble Bay” is a spectacular pristine beach with crystal blue shallow waters and minimal waves and considered as an excellent bathing spot monitored by Sri Lanka Air Force. There is a resort with beach front accommodation and a restaurant operated by the Air Force located at the north end of the cove of Marble Beach. Considered as one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka, unlike many other beaches in Trincomalee, Marble Beach is located in a sheltered bay and has excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities… With serenity at its utmost, the stretch of sand alongside the light blue ocean seems to go on endlessly as far as the eye can see… The allure of the Beach is its untouched, pristine splendor… Besides the magnificent ...

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Navy Signals – By Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne Source:island.lk Messages transmitted among ships or from ships to shore are known as signals in naval jargon. Some of these signals are secret messages. Others are routine signals, such as ship’s victualling requirements and personnel transfers. Signal men, or present-day ‘communicators’, are a group of proud people who work closely with Commanding Officers and other officers. As the old Navy mostly communicated in English, and in Morse Code, in English, their English knowledge was always impeccable. Furthermore, communicators dressed very smartly. The famous writer, the late Kalakeerthi Karl Muller, in his novel, ‘Spit and Polish, vividly describes the job of communicators in the Navy. Long before radio technology and telecommunications were invented, sailing ships communicated with one another with the help of flags. Those ships required to get close to harbours to communicate with shore. There are numerical and alphabetical flags of ...

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Sober Island – enchanting islet in Trincomalee – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Sri Lanka is home to breathtaking sights. Some are well-known, whereas others are not and remain elusive … At the entrance of *Trincomalee Harbor, there is a small spectacular islet known as “Sober Island” (“Great Sober Island” and “Little Sober Island”). Strategic location of the Island made it a pivotal point in the Harbor’s defense during World War II when Trincomalee served as a marine fortress. This legacy remains even at present, although, the islets are now veiled in thick shrub jungles that envelop them, gradually. The islet rises steeply, starting from its shoreline and the summit of the islet offers breathtaking vistas of the surroundings and a panoramic view of the Trincomalee Harbor. The vistas were amazing with ocean, shrub jungle and bustling urban life blended together… Located approximately an hour’s drive from Pepper Pot Jetty in Trincomalee, ...

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Sri Lanka Current – by Dr Harold Gunatillake Website: www.Doctorharold.com Headlines India is emerging as one of the biggest aid providers to cash-strapped Sri Lanka.US$ 16 million worth of aid from Tamil Nadu will begin arriving in Colombo on May 22 Indian envoy in Lanka’s hands over SLR.2 billion worth of essentials sent by Tamil Nadu government Litro Gas distribution to 416 areas Uninterrupted electricity supply soon. Sri Lanka: Political stability restored, but food, law and order pose challenges Uninterrupted electricity supply soon. Aid from Tamil Nadu to the value of US $ 16 million arrived in Sri Lanka on May 22nd. The consignment, which consists of 9,000 MT of rice, 50 MT of milk powder and more than 25 MT of drugs and other medical supplies, was handed over by High Commissioner Gopal Baglay to the senior leadership of the Government of Sri Lanka This commitment translates to more than ...

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