The National Kite Festival  which was postponed due to the inclement weather conditions has been rescheduled for the 10th and 11th of October 2015. The event will be held at Galle Face Green and the same agenda will be followed.

The kite competition will be open for both children (under 14) and open groups under the categories of the Most Creative Kite, The Kite of National Heredity, spreading the message of “A Drug Free Country” kite and an open category named The Best Fighting Kite

The festival will also include special kite making workshops, face painting, art workshops, film festivals, magic shows and other fun activities for the entire family. Organized by Kite Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Presidential Task Force on Drug Prevention and Sri Lanka Tourism.

 Kite Sri Lanka Organization, the most prominent Kite Association of the country committed to bringing forth peace and harmony within and beyond the island through the means of a kite will create a space for the inherited kite culture and traditions practiced by different ethnic groups during the festival. The organizers have focused specially on eco – friendly materials over the polythene usage in kite making. It will be an ideal platform for creative local kite makers to show their talents while strengthening the Sri Lankan kite industry over the flow of imported kites.

 The involvement of the Presidential Task Force on Drug Prevention will make a meaningful difference to the National Kite Festival  is spreading the message of “A Drug Free Country”. Different kite competitions, awareness programs under the theme will be featured during the festival fueling the national movement on drug prevention.

 The festival will be magnified with the participation of a number of international kite observers and delegates from several countries. Kite Sri Lanka Organization after participating in a number of international kite festivals during the recent past, have created strong ties with international kite fliers and kite organizations who have been invited to the National Kite Festival 2015. Each participating country will have a separate slot in representing their own kite traditions to share experiences of the international kite industry with local kite lovers.

With all these special features, Kite Sri Lanka Organization is ready to host the National Kite Festival: . The organizers invite all kite lovers across the country to join hands with the mega kite festival of the year while enjoying kite making, watching and flying during 10th and 11th of October at Gall Face Green.

The Flamingos are back to Sri Lanka.

Slowly and surely the migratory Flamingos are flocking to north Sri Lanka, although they are shunning the south.
There are about 750 Greater Flamingos in Mannar, about 150 in Jaffna and about 100 on Kayts island this season, says the Joint Secretary of the Ceylon Bird Club, Kithsiri Gunawardena, who has made many a trip up north recently.Although not swelling to the 5,000-6,000 Flamingos recorded in 2003-04, he is happy that the numbers which dropped to about 200 in Mannar between 2007 and 2009 are now on the increase.

The south of Sri Lanka particularly Bundala which used to be colourfully adorned by the beauty of 1,500-2,000 Greater Flamingos.

Going into the intricacies of the sensitivity of the eco-system, in which the balance may be tilted by even mild changes, this avid bird-watcher explains that seven to eight years ago Bundala saw large flocks of Greater Flamingos as the lure was the tiny insect-larvae they preyed on. These larvae thrived in the brackish water-bodies of Bundala but when fresh water got mixed with the brackish water due to the Lunugamvehera project, the salinity dropped and the insect-larvae were not able to survive.No food meant there would be no Greater Flamingos, is the obvious conclusion, and if only environmental experts were called in to minimise the effects, Sri Lanka’s south would still attract these beautiful birds, it is understood.

Lamenting that Flamingos which make their way from the Rann of Kutch in Pakistan where they breed and then migrate south during the winter, have one less habitat now with the loss of Bundala, he urges the protection of what is left – Mannar, Jaffna and Chundikulam.It is a lesson on the exotic birds, both migrant and resident, that Mr. Gunawardena gives when the Sunday Times asks about speculation that the migrants have not come in their usual numbers to Sri Lanka this season.

Sri Lanka has 453 species of birds of which 237 species are resident birds which means that they breed here. The balance 216 bird species are migrants among whom 72 species are considered “vagrants” coming on and off unlike the others which are regulars. Sri Lanka which is at the tip of India shares 89% of all bird species with India but 11% of the resident birds here are endemic.This has come about due to different climates and elevations within our tiny country.. The endemism is due to montane and low-land forests.

Referring to speculation that migrant-bird numbers have dropped, he points out that climate change and the recent floods which have inundated large tracts of land have scattered the ducks and waders. It will only be the Water Fowl Census which is carried out in February that would indicate whether the numbers have dropped or there are fluctuations.Climate change, according to him, which has far-reaching effects has also had an impact on the migratory patterns. Usually, the migrant-season in Sri Lanka is from end-September (2012) to end-March 2013, but the severe winter in the Arctic had brought in its wake, the migrants here as early as March 2012.

Unfortunately, March to August is when the resident-birds breed, but due to the migrants coming in early, the residents have had to face food issues. Some of the waders which arrived in June-July instead of September-October are Black-tailed Godwits and Whimbrels.Getting back to the statistics, that of the 237 resident species, 33 species are endemic and for 90% of these the only home is the low-land forests mainly Sinharaja, Samanala kanda and Knuckles.

This is why there needs to be stringent protection. It is vital to safeguard this endemism by prevention of encroachment into their habitat.The same solution is relevant with regard to migrants – the challenge is to preserve the pristine environment that flagship species such as Flamingos and rare birds such as the Pintail, the Wigeon, the Shovellers and even the Common Teal have made their second home for six months of the year.

Ecology is such a sensitive thing and many factors are inter-connected, he says, comparing it to a car. If one or two nuts and bolts are removed, the car may run for a short while but would ultimately stall and come to a standstill.There are only a few spots in the world like Vidathalthiv, between Pooneryn and Mannar where we can see as many as a million birds at the same time, he says, adding that it is our bounden duty to protect such spots.The greater Flamingos are back to Sri Lanka.

Kandy Perahera.

There are many number of perahara festivals in Sri Lanka. Almost all perahera festivals are based on the religion, especially Buddhism. The Esala Perahera in Kandy is one of the oldest and grandest of all Buddhist pageants in Sri Lanka. Even though it is a Buddhist event, other religions devotees also take part here. The Esala Perahera in Kandy parades along the streets to honor the sacred Tooth Relic and the four ‘guardian’ Gods: Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Goddess Pattini.The Kandy Esala Perahera is held annually in July and August on days fixed by the Diyawadana Nilame of the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic). The Sacred Tooth Relic was brought to Ceylon in the reign of King Kirthisiri Meghawanna who ruled at Anuradhapura from 303 – 331 AD.

On the following new moon in July an Esala tree or at the present time, usually a Jak tree or Rukkattana tree is cut and ‘Kap’ planted in Natha, Maha Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini dewalas vowing that the perahera will be held. For the next four days the ‘dewala perahera’ is conducted within the dewala premises.
Following this first stage, the perahera goes in procession for ten days in succession over a prescribed route along the main streets of Kandy. On each of these days, the peraheras of dewalas proceed to the entrance to the Dalada Maligawa, where they join the Maligawa perahera and the combined procession goes winding along the prescribed route.
The first six days of the perahera is called the Kumbal Perahera, and the second phase of the perahera, the Randoli Perahera, from the randoli or the gilded palanquins of the four dewalas, which are a feature of the processions the next five nights and the last night is the grandest of all. The main perahera procession consists of five separate peraheras which are Dalada Maligawa Perahera, Natha dewala perahera, Maha Vishnu dewala perahera, Katharagama dewala perahera and Pattini dewala perahera.
All pereharas are comprised with religious and cultural items. Whip crackers lead the way and announce the approach of the perahera by cracking their whips. Whip crackers come into picture only at the commencement of the Randoli Perahera. They do not take part in the kumbal perahera. The flag bearers walk next in single file on either side of the road. After that Peramune rala rides on the first elephant.Next comes the drummers playing Hevisi or martial music on a variety of drums such as dawula, tammettam and bera and blowing horanawa.
The Gajanayaka Nilame comes next. He rides on elephant and carries a silver goad (Ankusa) which is the symbol of his authority. After that Kariyakorale, who is, next to the Diyawadana Nilame. Now comes Maaligawe tusker to carry the perahera karanduwa (golden casket) containing the sacred relics. A canopy is held over the tusker, and pavada. Those who have the privilege of going up to the octagon and watching the formation of the perahera from there still get chance of seeing the Diyawadana Nilame comes into the courtyard of the temple accompanied by drummers and dancers walking on pavada and carrying aloft the golden casket.
The Natha dewala perahera, maha Vishnu dewala perahera, Katharagama  dewala perahera, pattini dewala perahera follows the Maligawa perahera respectively. The long procession ends with the Randolis borne by the tenants of the Dalada Maligawa. The Diyawadana Nilame may, if he desires, invites the Adikarams and Dissawes to walk with him in the Perahera. Furthermore, if for any reason he is unable to officiate in the procession, he may ask one of the Basnayake Nilames to take his place.
Incidentally, the best time to see Esala Perahera is on the last two nights. This festival is a sacred festival to all of us. We have to give our respect as much as we can. As the Sri Lankans we should reserve a time to watch this colorful event lively.

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$16.4 million "Monkey Kingdom" launched today in Sri Lanka

The epic $16.4 million Monkey Kingdom Directed by Mark Linfield and Alastair who also directed Bears and narrated by Tina Fey will debut it's launch today at Excel Cinema and then across the country by EAP Films which is memorable given the Hollywood success that the film has had in the last four months in the United States said Dr. Rohantha Athukorala Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau. Athukorala cited how one typical American kid had said "My favorite part of this movie is when all the monkeys are playing with each other and swinging from their homemade “original” jungle gym and the lower class runs out of food and have to find a way to survive.  They then raid humans’ house and raid their kitchen.  They even confiscate all the eggs from the hen house!!  It is hysterical to see a monkey running off with a sub sandwich" A top producer in the US commented my favorite character is Kip, Maya’s son ! He is a cute baby monkey that is so innocent and, most of the time, has no idea what is going one.  He depends on his mom for protection.  Maya is on the low end of the social hierarchy.  She is a female monkey with a nice personality unlike the three sister queens who act as if they own everything.  I love how Maya protects her baby at all costs.   This is the eighth True Adventure film and the sixth released theatrically by Disney nature, the in dependent film label of Walt Disney Studio. The last such documentary fetched $35 million in ticket sales. Sri Lanka Tourism Spring boarding on the US success is planning to stage a special screening of French version of this movie “ Au Royaume des Singes” for travel trade professionals in Paris, France during November said Dr. Athukorala who believes that rather than just awareness of Sri Lanka as a tourist destination we must build equity of the brand among the targeted travelers and industry professionals in the country. Sri Lanka Tourism will join hands with Sri Lankan Airlines to organize the private screening of  “Au Royaume des Singes” at Gaumont Champs Elysees Marignan with the participation of over 6000 travel trade professionals. During the special preview, SL Tourism will conduct educational session for the travel trade on the history and culture of the country and showcase the cultural diversity through traditional dance performances and culinary delights. This initiative will be backed by a comprehensive promotional campaign on web sites, on cinemas, outdoor advertising and community involvement projects to create high level of awareness about the history and culture of Sri Lanka among the target French travelers with the hype created by the film said Miss Sarangi Thilakasena , Market Head for France at the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau. This will be hitting French cinemas on 11th November 2015 she said. The film is directed by Mark Linfield and Alastair Fothergill, who were responsible for other Disney blockbusters such as ‘Earth’, which grossed more than $100 million at the box office. Their last movie 2012 movie ‘Chimpanzee’, filmed in West Africa, grossed almost $35 million, a record for a wildlife documentary. “The film has the potential for Sri Lanka to create top of the mind brand recall among families, nature and cultural tourism enthusiasts around the world” .

The Sun was God to the primitive races that occupied earth. The Sun has been the base on which time and seasons were counted upon. This Sun festival was practiced in Sri L during the rule of pre-historical Emperor Rawan in Dolapabbatha an area close to Pulasthipura now known as Polonnaruwa. The ancient Egyptians it while the Romans called the Sun God “Ra”. Why was it called “Ra”? It may be because Rawana ruled seven continents than extending to South America. It should be noted that the Asuras were also sun worshippers. In fact, in Rome there was festivity when the sun raised to its heights a festival titled “Saturnalia” in honour of the God Sun. Indeed, it was this festival that later came to be celebrated as Christmas by the 3rd century Christian community in Rome. Although the current 12 months are solar months, what prevailed earlier in most countries were lunar months and all dating was based on the lunar calendar system. But from the beginning, time has been measured astronomically according to the revolutions of the sun and moon and to the recurring celestial phenomena. As distinct from the Christian era, we also have now the Buddhist era, Hindu era etc. The Chinese for example; celebrate their New Year according their calculations. In the current solar month calendar, an average month has four weeks but, they are 52 weeks for a year. Its 13 months. Further if this calendar is exact, how can there be a leap year? Just as the Christians count their era from the birth of Jesus, the Buddhists do from the passing away of the Lord Buddha in 543 BC. Even this date has been fixed by Sir William Jones but it’s being challenged now as Buddha’s or Siddhartha Gautama’s contemporaries lived around 1887 BCE for which historical evidence exists. The Hindus begin from the Saka era which is the date of the coronation of King Kanishka in India in AD 78. Meanwhile, the Muslims count from the flight (Hijra) of the prophet from Mecca to Medina in AD 622, which is called the Mohammedan era. The ancient world counted the years from the date of Creation in 5508 BC and calls it the Constantinople era. The Romans counted it from the founding of Rome in 753 BC. The first era made use of by the Greeks was that of the Olympiads. All these boiled down to the new Christian era in 394 AD.Coming to our own country, Sri Lankan Sinhalese and Hindus celebrate the New Year on the 13th and 14th of April. In fact, the Jews of the Old Testament counted their new year from the month of Nisan, which is April. We have it in the Bible at Exodus chapter 12, where God Himself’ tells the Chosen race, through Moses and Aaron, that “This month (Nisan which is ‘Bak’ to us) shall be the first month of the year to you.” (vs., I – 7), they were to sacrifice a lamb in celebration of the New Year. This is called the Passover feast. After Christ this date ceased to have any meaning and the Christian community throughout the world celebrate the New Year on 1st January as said earlier.April 13th marks the journey of the Sun from Meena to Mesha (from Pisces to /Pies) in the Zodiac. This is commonly called Mankranthiya” (transition). For Sri Lankaus it is nation. Event and all Lankans join it irrespective of ethnic or religious differences. Inrea and Burma are two countries that celebrate this New YearThe traditions associated with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year are manifold colourful and meaningful to. Auspicious dmes take pride of place in the celebrations. All rituals are carried out to precision at times prescribed by astrologers ahead of the beginning of the year. The inauspicious time is called the “Nonagatra” which means no Neketh (auspicious times), and hence is prescribed to engage in religious observances at temples. Since we are an agricultural people, the journey of the sun has much significance to our social life. Fortunately the period comes in the wake of the “Mahe” harvest, when paddy is collected and stored and it is dine for a well-earned rest for the farming community. The objecfive of the whole feast, is the getting together of the family members. The father of the family and menfolk who are out of the village most of the time during the year, return home to stay with the family members during the festival. Cheerfulness is everywhere, the children are the happiest. The womenfolk are bum long before the dawn of the great day. They are engaged in making sweet meals.In Sri Lanka it is the cuckoo that heralds the dawn of the New Year. The cuckoo is the harbinger of the new season called Wasarelreya. It is said that if two swallows do not make a summer, a single Koha (cuckoo) will announce the Auth Avurudda, Rituals associated with the New Year begin with bathing and end with the first.journey to work after the New Year has dawned.

Catching a Glimpse of the Impressive Devon Waterfall

Even though human are slashing and destroying the natural beauty of the world, still there are many wonderful nature creations are proudly standing in Sri Lanka. Among many nature wonders, Devon Waterfall is one of popular waterfalls, which has an incredible scenery and awe-inspiring power of water and is located in Talawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. This dramatic waterfall is known as the “Veil of the Valley” because of its unique formation and it is with an impressive height of 97 meters.
Devon Waterfall is the 19th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and the name of “Devon” derives from a pioneer English coffee planter called Devon. Travelers can easily reach this Devon Waterfall via Avissawella – Nuwara Eliya A7 Highway and it is located at a convenient location where anyone can make a stop. But if you want to have adventurous things, you have to find the top of the falls through Dimbula – Nawalapitiya road. The base of the Devon Waterfall is also another dramatic location there and travelers can reach it via lush tea estates. It is located some 500 meters down. However, the best, enormous and attractive views of Devon Waterfall can be captured by viewing from Dimbula, where has a dedicated viewing platform. While travelling by a train on the Kandy to Nuwata Eliya line (rail tracks closer to Waagoda) also, travelers can enjoy the fascinating views of this Devon Waterfall. Not only that, but travelers can view these amazing sceneries of this fall from the hamlet of Midigama.
Therefore, travelers those who to lost in greenery  and water world, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura areas are some of best areas in Sri Lanka and this Devon Waterfall is one of the best destinations. And there are many other noteworthy things of bio diversity to see and enjoy there including Bambarakanda Waterfall, Bakers Waterfall, St Clairs Waterfall and Diyaluma Waterfall. And there is wide range of eco-friendly affordable and best Nuwara Eliya hotels and Ratnapura Hotels available, out of endless selection of Hotels in Sri Lanka. So, it’s time to get in touch with one of planet’s mightiest nature creations; Devon Waterfall. - See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/56957/catching-a-glimpse-of-the-impressive-devon-waterfall#sthash.KPg0qp5P.dpuf

Discovering the Dramatic Smoky Mountain - Pidurutalagala

The feeling you get as you reach into Pidurutalagala mountain summit is that this is the best nature creation in Sri Lanka which allows you to experience the breath-stealing views. The name itself “Pidurutalagala” (meaning is “straw laden rock”) implies how it riches with green nature allure.

Pidurutalagala or Mount Pedro is located 7.5km from Nuwara Eliya town, which is the highest peak in Sri Lanka. While Nuwara Eliya being a mountain valley consists of a plateau, Pidurutalagala mountain peak has 2524m height. It is not just a dramatic mountain, it is also a forest reserve of the topmost elevation which riches with bio diversity too. There are many endemic as well as some rare plants, animals, birds and flowers can be found here and some specific plants which are grown in Himalayas of India also can be discovered in this highland. Appearing to be that of gnarled trunks with many divided branches with lichens and moss clinging is the significant characteristic that Pidurutalagala differs from other forest reserves. At early days, there had been only few modes to get to this peak (by walking and by horse riding), but today, it is able to reach the peak by vehicles after obtaining the permission. But trekking is the best way to enjoy Pidurutalagala Mountain summit reaching.
And unlike other highland peaks, it has a flattened mountain peak which is covered whole surface with pale green patna. Pidurutalagala Mountain is an impressive mountain that gifts magnificent views as well as the peak of this mountain has many local broadcasting stations’ towers including the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. And it is a perfect destination to enjoy trekking; especially through jungles, streams and heavy mist while enjoying breath-stealing views.

Therefore, travelers those who wish to lost in greenery and smoky world, Pidurutalagala Mountain in Sri Lanka is the best destination. In addition to this highland, there are many noteworthy things to experience in Nuwara Eliya which gives opportunities to exposure to various bio diversity places as well as historical places, such as Horton Plains, Hakgala Botanical Gardens, Victoria Park and more, with wide range of eco-friendly affordable Hotels in Nuwara Eliya, out of endless selection of Hotels in Sri Lanka. So, it’s time to have a trekking adventure and to get in touch with nature in Pidurutalagala, the highest peak in Sri Lanka, while enjoying other heritages in the country.