Janet's Journal

It was to be over 18 months before I was able to return to Sri Lanka.  Uncle again collected me from the airport and took me via a different route to Kandy.  He was little anxious (but didn’t drive any slower) as there was no petrol available due, allegedly, to a sub-standard shipment which was rejected.

Again, we set off the following morning, this time for Diyatalawa, in the Hill Country.  Luckily there was a petrol station open near Randenigala Dam.

We had been invited, along with two other friends, by a senior SLA officer and stayed in a guest bungalow in the camp, 1,275 metres above sea level.

The following morning they all went to play golf. Two officers and a driver were detailed to take me to Adisham Bungalow, normally closed except for Saturdays, where I was given a tour by Father Amal.  From there we went up the perilous road to Lipton’s Seat, high up above Haputale, unfortunately by then the mist came down and the view disappeared.  

The SL Airforce were my next hosts at the beautiful China Bay Golf Course.  The prestigious World Military Golf Championships were being hosted by Sri Lanka for the first time and teams from across the world were due to start arriving the next day. While I had exclusive use of the Marble Bay Beach Resort.

Torrential rain put the course underwater but endless squads of workers somehow managed to get the course ready on time.  Suggestions had been made to put a squadron of helicopters up to try and fan the course dry!

After watching the very impressive opening ceremony it was time for me to depart.  I had booked a car and driver for the first time to explore the Jaffna, Mannar and Wilpattu.

What a difference a professional driver makes – no shouting, speeding, swerving – just a smooth relaxed drive.