Blogs from Abhayagiriya, North Central Province, Sri Lanka, Asia

My original plan was to start literally at the very top of Sri Lanka (Jaffna) and to work my way down to the very bottom. (Galle) This turned out to be more difficult than I thought and I will explain why. I was to visit Jaffna in January on my maiden trip and Kingsley, who instructs me on cultural and anthropological aspects of Sri Lanka, advised me that I should perhaps put off this trip until the following month. I was rather disappointed. All the plans I had for Jaffna were out. But as a stranger to this country having been abroad the last twenty five years it was best that I took his advice. You will find him an authority of this country with great insight which he relates so aptly to our history and ... read more

Rev. Pannasinghe Thera was younger than I by about four years. I liked him instantly, calm in his demeanour and mature in outlook he has finished his education in Cambridge, UK. He spoke fluent English and was responsible for discovering some gratifying archaeological sites in Abhayagiriya. Dhamila Gahapathi Shala We came back to Rev. Pannasinghe Thera’s Kuttiya (dwelling house) by late afternoon to collect the priest who promised to take us around the Abhayagiriya sites. Since dusk was soon drawing nearer he suggested that we visit two sites. I was to meet him at a later date to learn more about Abhayagiriya. I must confess that I felt ill equipped with adequate knowledge of the sites and felt that some background reading is necessary before meeting him for the second time. Dhamila Gahapathi Shala is not ... read more