Sunrise over the Basawakkulama Tank, believed to be Sri Lanka’s oldest reservoir, built in 400BC, against the backdrop of the Ruwanwelisaya and, faintly in the distance, the massive broken Jetawanaramaya, both over 2,000 years old. The tree silhouetted against the morning is one of many that line the tank’s retaining bund. For perhaps a century or more, these broadly spread giants have sheltered farmers, workers, schoolchildren, and the occasional photographer, using the bund as a footpath into Anuradhapura. When I took this picture in January 2017, while on assignment for Serendib magazine, the trees were also home to rock squirrels, numerous nesting birds, and families of grey langurs. But sadly, it has now been reported that the government has begun felling these ancient trees because they are believed to be damaging the bund with their great roots. The perspective they have given to one of the most iconic views of Anuradhapura will be the least of the losses their deaths will bring.
Sunrise over the Basawankulama tank (or reservoir), with the Ruwanwelisaya in the distance. The Basawankulama, built in 400 BC by King Pandukabhaya is thought to be Sri Lanka’s oldest reservoir. The Ruwanwelisaya is relatively newer, built in 140 BC by King Dutugemunu. Shot on assignment for Serendib, the inflight magazine of SriLankan Airlines. My story, ‘The First Kingdom of Lanka‘, ran in the February 2017 issue.
The Mirisawetiya Dagaba emerges from the dawn mists over the Basawakkulama Tank. Shot on assignment for Serendib, the inflight magazine of Sri Lankan Airlines. My story,The First Kingdom of Lanka, runs in the February 2017 issue.
The Ruwanwelisaya at dawn, as seen from across the Basawakkulama Reservoir. Built in 400 BC by King Pandukabhaya, the Basawakkulama is thought to be Sri Lanka’s oldest reservoir. The Ruwanwelisaya is relatively newer, built in 140 BC by King Dutugemunu. Shot on assignment for Serendib, the inflight magazine of Sri Lankan Airlines. My story on Anuradhapura, ‘The First Kingdom of Lanka‘, appears in the February 2017 issue. Pick up a copy if you’re flying this month, or check out the online version at the link posted above.Continue reading “Anuradhapura: the First Kingdom of Lanka”→
Son of the Morning Light 