Janet's Journal

Kelaniya Temple, just outside Colombo, has been a sacred site for over 2,000 years. The Temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times; the current building was completed in 1946.

The beautiful murals inside date from the 18th to early 20th centuries.

Next stop were the Parliament buildings at Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. Designed by the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bala, the sit on an island in the middle of a 300 acre lake.

We were able to visit under strict security, no bags, phones or cameras allowed. After many security checks permission was finally given for me to go into the public gallery and listen to a debate.

The following morning was spent queueing to get my visa extended, after which we went to Mount Lavinia to have a quick look at the hotel, a former governor’s residence.

Back in Kandy, I stayed in a homestay by the Mahaveli Ganga near the Polgolla Dam. For a change of sport, no cricket this time, I was invited to watch the semi final clash in the Rugby Union Championship. Very exciting game with Kandy Sports Club the winners.

Then it was back to Palugaswewa and a relaxing few days by the pool. In the little railway station the staff proudly showed me the age old system for controlling trains on the single track mainline to Trincomalee, or Batticaloa.

I couldn’t resist their invitation to go back in the morning to see the 7 am train go through.

All too soon it was time to leave this peaceful rural setting with its walks through paddy fields and around the lake.

On the way back to Kandy we stopped at the Aluviharaya Rock Cave Temple, in the hills near Matale.

There has been a temple here since the 1st century BC. Very steep steps climb up to different levels and the cave paintings. Finally there is a spiral staircase leading up to the bo tree.

Just outside Kandy is the newly built Nelligama Temple. As usual it is on the top of a hill with a steeply winding road to the car park.

On the final journey we stopped twice. First to climb up to the Athalaga Samadhi Buddha which overlooks Kurunegala

The last stop was the magnificent Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery and Sri Gautama Sambuddharaja at Polgahawela.

All too soon I was back in Negombo and saying a final farewell to Tharindu. By the time I returned to Sri Lanka in the summer he would be working in Japan.