One friend Tharaka out of blue moon asked if I would join with him for a trip to Handapanagala. I immediately wanted to know who was going as I’m always wary of people who go on trips as I consider myself more reserved and a nature lover than someone who goes on trips just to drink and waste time. However, after Tharaka’s repeated assurances that the crowd was ok, I was willing. Another reason was Handapanagala is very famous for its tank and the possibility of seeing my favorite elephants was very high.

This has been a dream of mine for a so long ever since I saw an ad by SL Navy on a newspaper and had been hoping against hope to go there. Trip reports by Lakdasun subscribers have been greatly helpful especially finding the hotel, Four Tees Inn, which was a wonderful place and met all my expectations.

We then set off towards Vavuniya hoping to reach Killinochchi before noon and meet our friendly soldier who took us around the surrounding area. Just before Iranamadu, we visited the statue of one of our great heroes, Cpt. Saliya Aladeniya who sacrificed his life while trying to protect the telecommunication tower there.

So on the 15th morning, we (highly excited bunch) left Colombo around 5.30 am. There was ample room in the van since it was only 7 of us (including the driver) and soon we reached Ratnapura and stopped for Breakfast. Kadala, String Hoppers, Red Rice with Kiri Hodi, Sambola and Fish may sound like a feast as we wolfed down the food. Then we reached Udawalawa and stopped around the park to take the breath taking view of the reservoir in.

This was actually my second visit to Kotiyagala area and I also had some secondary objectives also on this visit. So on a Sunday morning I got in to a Kotiyagala bus and left towards kotiyagala. Just before kotiyagala there was a three way junction where the Siyambalanduwa, Kalu obba-Athimale road extension met with the kotiyagala road and I had to get down from here and start walking towards Athimale side since Wattarama monastery is located between Athimale and Kotiyagala.

Buddama was a place I have never heard before until I was posted there for few months, this rural area of Monaragala district boarders the southern boundaries of Gal Oya National park. Most of the population has the same surname called Dissanayake Mudiyanselage indicating that most of them had been related to the ancestors Wellassa rebellion that fled to the valleys of Gal Oya and they are farmers by occupation.

“Dreams do come true” Finally after six months of planning and just before the monsoons the target was achieved. Maragalakanda may be an unheard unknown mountain for most of the travellers, so let me give a brief description on it. This 1111m tall mountain with four main peaks is located in the dry zone (Monaragala) of Sri Lanka and is one of those tall mountains isolated from the main central belt. It together with Monara gala, Athgala range & Uppukota forms a circle of peaks.

A Group of my friends organized a safari at Willpattuwa including a camp night at Kokmote to explore the exciting heritage and wildlife. A fellowship of ten members joined the trip and the journey began from Wadduwa at 7.00 am on September 11. On our way we paused shortly for a quick breakfast, and then to a shop at Chilaw fish market for necessary food supplies for the night stay. After taking a dip in the Deduru Oya and stuffing ourselves at Puttalam town where we stopped for lunch, we reached Wilpattuwa at 3.30 pm in a happy and relaxing mood. Mr Anil (WLD tour guide) and Samantha (Jeep driver) also joined with us at the entrance.

I live in Hambantota as I am working at the General Hospital Hambantota. On the 3rd of September 2012 I got the message that a flock of Greater Flamingos can be seen in the salt pan , Hambantota. I rushed there with my husband and my son. I was very happy to see the Flamingos just few meters away from my home.

As I live close to Bundala Embilikala kalapuwa (just 15km away my home) I frequently visit there for bird watching. This is a very good place to watch migrant birds as well as locals. This time I could spotted 9 Comb ducks

I have traveled many times to Mannar in search for flamingos, but only this year I head that they are back in Sri Lanka. Not at Mannar, it was at Bundala their good old habitat. I had no plans of going anywhere till end of November but this news made me anxious to go there. Though some of my friends in to birding have heard the news, no one had been managed to capture a photograph till that moment (as per my knowledge at that moment)

During a one of my field visits to Vavniya and Mannar, we had likelihood to visit few archeological and Hindu sacred places in Mannar and Silavaturei. Weather was good but too dry and wind impregnated with dust. Most of the Mannaer main roads are really good and newly rehabilitated. Railway constructions are going on up to thaleimannar. First we visited Biobab tree which is situated in the heart of the Mannar island city