Special Feature — THE FORGOTTEN TEMPLE: Dakkinagiriya & the Other Kaludiya Pokuna

A thousand-year-old ‘mountain monastery’, lost in the Kaludiya Pokuna Forest, east of Dambulla; forgotten by the tour guides, and seemingly by time itself. For the visitor seeking something literally off the beaten track, the Dakkinagiri Viharaya is an intriguing but serene detour away from the well-trodden sites of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle.”

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The stupa of the 9th century Dakkinagiri Viharaya, with Erawalgala behind it.
Continue reading “Special Feature — THE FORGOTTEN TEMPLE: Dakkinagiriya & the Other Kaludiya Pokuna”
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Whisky Point

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Pottuvil, Sri Lanka. May 2022.

• 18mm • f/3.5 • 1/1000 • ISO100 • 600D & EF-S18-200/3.5-5.6 • polariser •

Special Feature — The Devil’s Staircase: Travels on the Kalupahana-Ohiya Road

To call the route connecting Kalupahana to Ohiya a road is quite generous. What it is, is an adventure. Whether you are tough enough to walk its length or mad enough to drive it, this is a journey every adventurer should take.”

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Sometimes the Devil’s Staircase feels like the edge of Heaven.
Continue reading “Special Feature — The Devil’s Staircase: Travels on the Kalupahana-Ohiya Road”

Closing Time on Keyzer Street

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Shutters begin to fall with the twilight in Pettah, Colombo’s shopping and market district. January 2023.

• 35mm • f/4 • 1/125 • ISO4000 • R6 & RF14-35/4L •

Temple of the Water God

I believe that water is the closest thing to a god we have here on Earth.”

— Alex Z Moores Living in Water

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The Randenigala Reservoir, surrounded by the jungles of the Rantembe Reserve. December 2018. If water is the one true god of our planet, then the reservoirs we’ve built over millennia must be its greatest temples.

• 24mm • f/8 • 1/1600 • ISO800 • 5DMkIII & EF24-105/4L •

Special Feature — Mysteries in the Jungle: the Batatotalena Cave Temple

Current belief is that Batatotalena is the Divaguhawa of legend, though the argument on its authenticity goes on.

The characteristic triangular shape of an arch cave can be clearly seen at the mouth of Batatotalena.
Continue reading “Special Feature — Mysteries in the Jungle: the Batatotalena Cave Temple”

Karawala Mudalali

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A dry fish merchant (or karawala mudalali), surrounded by his pungent stock. Keyzer Street, Pettah. January 2023.

• 22mm • f/4 • 1/125 • ISO4000 • R6 & RF14-35/4L •

Afternoon Over Thalangama Lake

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Kotte, Sri Lanka. February 2023.

• 14mm • f/4 • 1/800 • ISO100 • R6 & RF14-35/4L •

Dinner in Pettah

A kiosk on Keyzer Street provides a light takeaway to weary workers heading for home. Colombo, January 2023.

• 35mm • f/4 • 1/125 • ISO4000 • R6 & RF14-35/4L •

Backside Snap #2

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Main Point, Arugam Bay. May 2022.

• 200mm • f/5.6 • 1/500 • ISO800 • 600D & EF-S18-200/3.5-5.6 • polariser •