Janet's Journal

I spent a whole week in Kandy, revisiting the Royal Botanical GardenS at Peradeniya, meandering round the lake and shops and generally relaxing after the tiring, busy previous 10 days.

My last day was spent at the Pallekele Cricket Ground watching day 1 of the England versus Sri Lanka test match

Then I was off again. Pene Gordon’s old driver, Sam, collected me in his battered minivan for a tour of Pene’s pre-schools and girls’ home in and around Batticaloa. Sam worked tirelessly for Pene’s charity while she was in England. On her twice yearly visits to Sri Lanka he would take her to see every one of her projects around the island.

I based myself across the lagoon in Batticaloa, staying in an ‘eco’ resort. My room was shipping container, fully converted inside with a bedroom and en-suite shower room. The surrounding area was run as a small holding, growing vegetables, chickens wandered freely everywhere. Paths meandered through all this to the swimming pool and the restaurant. Yes I did get lost several times.

A sightseeing tour of Batticaloa took in the old Dutch Fort, Maamangam Hindu Temple, Batticaloa Gate and the lighthouse. I spent the afternoon walking through Kallady across the lagoon again. I went to the beach but the sand was too hot to walk on for long so I came back into the village and saw the evidence of the 2004 tsunami.

A tour of three pre schools built and supported by various charities in the devastated Unnichchai are was very moving. The dedication of the teachers and their helpers to try and give these children a decent start in life, with basic education and a decent meal at lunchtime left me bereft of words.

Our final stop was a girls’ school in Mahiladitheevu, Kokkaddichchola. A residential home for girls up to the age of 18 whose families had no means of supporting them. They stay until they have completed their school education and have learnt skills to take back home.

A quick visit to Pasikudah beach to swim in the crystal clear sea was my last outing before heading to Colombo.

This was my first, and very possibly my last, stay in the capital. I walked a lot of the time, spending almost a whole day in the fascinating, and cool, National Museum. I also visited the old Dutch Hospital, now home to upmarket shops and restaurants.

As my visit coincided with a Poya Day I had to visit the Gangaramaya Temple on Beira Lake, beautifully festooned with coloured lights.

I was glad to return to what was starting to feel like my home town of Negombo again.