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The amazing saga of Mihintale

By Upali Salgado

Most civilizations were born after long bloody wars. Human behavioural patterns and facets of culture take root to grow thereafter. The story of our own Buddhist civilization and culture has no parallel in history. The drama, that took place about 236 years after Sakyamuni Gotama Buddha’s demise, (Maha-Parinibbana), has an air of religious fervour and a link with mother India, where the great Master lived.

After the historic Kalinga war in India, Emperor Asoka witnessed the river Mahanadi turn red with the blood of his slain countrymen.

Deeply grieved he resolved never thereafter to go to war. “Chanda Asoka” (i.e. the wicked Asoka) soon became known in history as “Dharma Asoka” (“Righteous Asoka”).

The Pali Chronicle, Culavansa has stated that before the Maha Parinibbana of the Buddha at Kusinara, it was foretold that 236 years later a great sage named Mahendra would cause the splendour of the Buddha religion to shine in Lanka Deepa, and in a city the King will cause to build the Thuparama dagoba to enshrine the Buddha’s relics, symbolizing the presence of Gotama Buddha.

In that historic background, along with a retinue of Buddhist monks, Emperor Asoka sent his son Mahinda, (he was known as Mahendra in India) to carry with him the noble message Buddha gave to the world. The fact that a member of the royal Maurya family was sent to Lanka Deepa on this mission, gave importance to the historic event.

The arrival of the sage

According to the Mahavansa (The Great Chronicle) the sage Maha Mahinda on an uposatha (Poya) day, in the month of Jetta (June) rose up in to the air, (propelled by deep sila and developed concentrated mind) and, departed with wonderous powers he possessed, to alight at the Missaka mountain, at Ambastale in Mihintale. The sage met King Devanampiyatissa, (named beloved of the Gods) who with several of his courtiers was on a deer hunt. It is said that the King laid down his bow and arrow and listened to the “Chula Hatti Padupama Sutta” (a Buddhist discourse), which sums up the essence of the noble Buddha Dharma (philosophy).

At the end of the discourse, the king and his entire retinue embraced Buddhism. Thus it could be said that it brought about the social and religious revolution in ancient Sri Lanka and was the beginning of the Sinhala Buddhist race. He thus became the first consecrated ruler of Lanka. This was also the beginning of the Buddhist monastic order in Sri Lanka.

Soon after the Buddha’s teachings were accepted and followed by all his subjects. Buddhism in later years was fostered in a big way by other Sinhala kings – Dutugemunu, Valagamba, Mahasen, Dhatusena, Vijayabahu.

As the years passed there emerged a new Buddhist Sinhala culture, with distinct art forms in stone and also paintings in rock caves, – sculpture of Dagoba Vahalakade (Gateways) with figures of swans, Dwarfs, birds, elephants, deities, punkalas with liyaveli etc. At the Kantaka Chetiya (stupa) the ornamental pots and floral designs signify “abundance”, – the richness of all life.

The entire Mihintale temple complex at a lower elevation is studded with ruins, in rock, all of great archaeological value – monasteries indicating that thousands of Buddhist monks lived there. The ruins (now restored) of a large hospital (a vajja – sala) built in the ninth century A.D, and a subterranean water/sewage system indicate the advanced level of the civilization.

The caves at upper levels have inscriptions which according to Prof. Senarat Paranavitana belonged to an Indo-Aryan family of languages, such as Sanskrit. The caves which provided shelter for monks had second century Brahmic inscriptions, and were fashioned for occupation by potters, metal workers, astronomers, architects and merchants. Pots and blue coloured urns unearthed indicate that there were trade links with Persia (modern Iran).

Two stalwarts

The excavation of ruins around the Mihintale Temple took place after 1910, with H.C.P Bell as Archaeological Commissioner. Pilgrims who flock in their thousands annually, during the Poson festival, remember with gratitude two pioneers who blazed a trail to make the spotlight fall on Mihintale.
The fiery orator Valisinha Harischandra single-handedly, verbally fought against British colonialists regarding the unjust implementation of the Waste Lands Ordinance by which weapon the AGA strove to confiscate property of the Mihintale Temple. Harischandra went to prison on many an occasion for inciting the sentiments of Buddhist crowds, urging them to defy the Government Agent’s orders. There are statues erected in his honour at the Maha Vidyalaya, Anuradhapura and Harischandra Maha Vidyalaya, Negombo in his village. A close friend of Anagarika Dharmapala, they fearlessly teamed up to promote Buddhist activity, and fought against oppression of Buddhist activity.

The other legendary figure we should remember is Prof. Senarat Paranavitane, our one-time Archaeological Commissioner He had his training as an epigraphist at Dhera-Dun in North India, and worked with the famous archaeologist Sir John Marshall Kt. who, in later times along with Sir Alexander Cunningham helped unearth the story of Sanchi in Bopal. Braving hard times, when malaria was a deadly menace in the whole of the Rajarata, and living out doors without proper sanitation, this pioneer archaeologist gave Mihintale a new face. They say, that if ever Paranavitane saw a twelve-foot mound of earth, his X-ray eyes would soon say that, there lay buried a Vahalkada or Image House.

A unique story

The advent of Buddhism to Lanka with Maha Mahinda’s visit is a unique story. The religious conversion of all people was done peacefully. That King Devanampiyatissa laid down his bow and arrow indicates kindness to all reigned supreme. He then accepted th Buddha Dharma which refers to a righteous life for all to follow. It is an unalloyed Dharma noble and everlasting.

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Marvels of art and sculpture in Sri Lanka

By D.C. Ranatunga – Photos: Courtesy – Eloquence in Stone: The Lithic Saga of Sri Lanka Studio Times publication

Eight miles out of Anuradhapura, the rocky mountain of Mihintale rises abruptly out of the plain to a height of almost 1,000 feet. Here on the slopes of the mountain Apostle Mahinda encounters the king (Devanampiyatissa) as he was in pursuit of a stag. Standing on top of a great crag now known as the Aradhana Gala, the Rock of Invitation, the Apostle Mahinda told him the story of the Buddha and preached His doctrine. The conversion of the king and the whole country to Buddhism provides the foundation for our story. The kings of Lanka saw it as their duty to build for the glory of the faith ….

The Buddha’s message unleashed the creative energies of the Sinhalese. Letters were engraved on stone, caves and then temples were hewn out of solid rock. Great dagabas were built in worship of the Buddha and His image was carved out of granite and marble. Huge monasteries arose many of them as large as towns, their buildings adorned with stone carvings of the most exquisite kind.

The reader is thus introduced to the dawn of a new civilization in Sri Lanka in the book ‘Eloquence in Stone – the Lithic Saga of Sri Lanka’. Under the patronage of King Devanampiyatissa (250-210 B C), the royal capital Anuradhapura became the home of Theravada Buddhism. The king gave the lead in building stupas by erecting the Thuparama dagaba and a monastery for the monks. The location came to be known as Thuparamaya to indicate the presence of the dagaba and the ‘aramaya’. According to the Mahavamsa, Thuparama had been built by the time the branch of the sacred Bo tree was brought to Sri Lanka. One of the eight saplings of the Bo-tree had been planted at the Thuparamaya.

Although the accent was on Anuradhapura, the objects of worship found in Mihintale bear testimony to the fact that there was lot of activity there too. The Kanthaka Chaitya, for example, is a fine piece of architecture and a symbol of the rich art of sculpture in ancient Sri Lanka. The four ‘vahalkada’ (frontispiece) are unique and are amongst the oldest sculptures in the country.

As described in ‘Eloquence in Stone’, the Kanthaka Chaitya marks the beginning of stone art in Sri Lanka. “Elephants kneel out of the stone, dragons spout forth and grotesque dwarves, wild and happy, throw their arms into the air. Serried ranks of dwarves and women line the panels, playing instruments and dancing in ecstasy. The whole ‘vahalkada’ was once plastered and painted in different colours. You can still see the outlines of lions in red and orange paint, their hues coming to life with the sun. Only then do you realise that what is now grey and faded stone, was once a mass of living colour. “

The four ‘vahalkada’ face the four cardinal points in the dagaba. There are four beasts – elephant, horse, lion and bull – facing each direction. The true to life figures are carved in the round from dolomite marble.

Intricate art can be seen at the Kanthaka Chaitya. The ‘kalpa vruksha’ (Tree of Life) is portrayed as a flowering plant rising from a vase of scrolls. On either side of the stem animals and yakkhinis stand back to back perching on its leaves. Seated at the very top is Kuvera, the God of Wealth, showering prosperity on the worshippers.

Another popular site is the Kaludiya Pokuna used as a private bathing place by the monks of Mihintale. “Built to capture the rainwater as it cascaded off the mountainside, here man used his skill to harness nature and beautify it. The pond is surrounded by great rocky boulders which litter the landscape. The steps, terraces, gardens and pavilions which adorn it have all been built around the rock following its shape and contours.

Steps curve up the rock to pavilions set on top of boulders. Terraces make their way over the open ground ascending higher and higher to platforms looking out over the pool, its waters black with the reflection of rocks and the shade of trees. It is the perfect example of man in complete harmony with his environment. Another culture would have cut through the rock and removed the boulder. Only we let it be.” (Eloquence in Stone)

The Sinha Pokuna was once an open air bath which served the monks living in the caves around the Kanthaka Chaitya. Here too intricate sculpture can be seen particularly the figure of the great, man-sized lion which gave the fountain its name.

Amidst the lush greenery in the sacred area of Mihintale are ruins of many monasteries and other facilities provided for the benefit of monks.

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Rise in Sri Lanka holiday bookings: UK travel operator

Key2holidays, a specialist online travel operator, has seen a dramatic increase in Sri Lanka holiday bookings, and attributes this to the recently achieved peaceful political climate, making the region safe to travel to. With holiday bookings increasing by 420 percent, Sri Lanka has now made it into Key2holidays’ top 3 destinations, out of the 30+ countries to which Key2holidays offers value-for-money tailor-made travel arrangements.

Speaking about the spike, Gemma Kidby, Key2holidays’ dedicated Indian Ocean product manager, commented, “Now is the time for a luxury Sri Lanka holiday: the island offers world-class beaches, inspiring cultural tours and 5 star accommodation at 3 star prices. The military offensive that deterred the cautious away from Sri Lanka holidays is coming to an end, and confidence is restored.”

In response to the rising Sri Lanka tourism industry, a brand new 5 star boutique hotel has opened on the beach of Wadduwa, catering to the growing market for Sri Lankal uxury holidays. It is not surprising that the hotel has chosen this west coast location, as this unspoiled area is peaceful and ‘safe’ and is just 1.5 hours away from the airport.

One of the most intimate hotels for a Sri Lankal uxury holiday, this ocean-view hideaway has just seven spacious suites. The suites are decorated in an Indian Colonial style using colourful silks and antique wooden furniture, surrounded by tranquil lily ponds and tropical gardens, and each with its own private veranda. There are three swimming pools, two restaurants, a running track and tennis court, beach frontage and beach bar. A shop and a spa will open later this year.

Key2holidays predicts that this hotel will appeal to those looking at a Sri Lankaluxury holiday, as it offers luxury accommodation at an affordable price, in a beautiful area that is safe for travellers. Gemma Kidby says, “Now that Sri Lanka is safe as a holiday destination, we are expecting to see a number of new luxury resorts opening in Sri Lanka.” – (PRWEB, London, UK)

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Jetavana, back to the people

After 30 years of excavation work, the wonders of this site can once again be viewed by the people. Kumudini Hettiarachchi speaks to one of the chief men behind the project, Central Cultural Fund Director-General Prof. Sudarshan Seneviratne

It is a walk down the misty corridors of time to an era when the ancients of Sri Lanka not only had the knowledge and the technology but also the will and the resources to build colossal monuments.

Jetavanaramaya, that massive edifice, which came up during the 4th-5th Centuries, born of a king’s wrath, is ready to be re-dedicated to the people on June 18 as the first citadel of this land, Anuradhapura, celebrates the advent of Buddhism. As the echoes of “Sadhu, Sadhu” chanted by white-clad devotees bearing trays of lotuses who wend their way to the eight most holy places or Atamasthanaya, reverberate across the ancient city of Anuradhapura, during Poson, many will be the gasps of wonder at the Jetavanaramaya.

For not only is the Jetavana stupa compared to the third pyramid of Giza in Egypt but it is also believed to be the spot – the Nandana Pleasure Grove – many centuries earlier, at which Thera Mahinda who brought his message of peace to this island-nation preached for seven consecutive days.

It was after this momentous event that the Grove took the name of “jotivana” which means “the place where the holy one had made the true doctrine shine forth………..It is also said that the great thera and his associate monks were cremated here after their death”, according to the Central Cultural Fund (CCF).

“The excavations are done and the conservation is nearly over. Now what remains is the presentation of Jetavana to the people,” says CCF Director-General Prof. Sudarshan Seneviratne.

This is the culmination of nearly 30 years of toil, he concedes, begun in 1980 when the CCF was founded and given the mandate to conserve the Jetavana stupa, one of its first projects. Although excavation and conservation were done during the British period, institutionalized investigations commenced with the CCF.

“Thousands of labourers were deployed just for excavation and conservation,” he says, adding with a smile, “Imagine the actual construction of this edifice more than 15 centuries earlier.”

In the modern context, according to Prof. Seneviratne, Jetavana consists of the monastery and the stupa.

The monastery, he says, was a major centre of learning that evolved with its architectural features and the stupa. The latter was expanded with the addition of a new Salapatala Maluwa (upper platform) with hundreds of 8th-12th Century inscriptions of donations inscribed on the stone slabs.

The “treasure trove” in the monastery, mainly excavated from the four ayaka of the stupa represents one of the richest collections of artifacts found in Sri Lanka so far, The Sunday Times learns, comprising millions of beads; raw material to make the beads imported from foreign sources; local and imported de luxe ware from India and China as well as the Mediterranean some which the DG dubs as “unique”; coins including those of Indo-Graeco origin; metal both iron and brass; a huge collection of ivory, intaglios, seals and cameos; and sculptured artifacts including Hindu statues.

Attempting a difficult task, he picks out the beautiful Maya Devi sculptures depicting her entry to Lumbini (in Nepal) worked on site at Jetavana but made out of raw material, cuddaph stones, brought from south India. “They were done in line with the Amarawati School of Art which flourished in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. This also tells us a story of the shared culture of South Asia,” explains Prof. Seneviratne adding that some of the ivories of Jetavana are similar to those found along the old Silk Road in Afghanistan.

The “fantastic” collection of intaglios, seals and cameos done on semi-precious stones (some imitations) bear the heads of Mediterranean emperors, while the “best Jetavana finds” are 10 golden plates with the then sacred Mahayana sutra Prajnaparamita in the Sanskrit text. Some of these plates are in the National Museum in Colombo, it is learnt.

When he took over as CCF Director in 2000, they had sent several deep probes down to bedrock and for the first time got wind of the pre-historic tools going back to 5,000 BC. “The best remains of horse teeth, bone were found here,” he says.

The DG points out that to build the stupa which is of brick, which rises to a height of 400 feet from ground level, the sky-scraper-building mechanism would have had to be used.

These were not built purely out of piety, emphasizes Prof. Seneviratne, adding that the political infrastructure would have been right to mobilize resources, raw materials, conveyance and labour. The economic infrastructure too would have been right, with the hydraulic technology which spawned such wonders like the Kala wewa and Jaya ganga leading to multiple yields and massive agricultural expansion.

The “yield” of Jetavana is testimony that Sri Lanka would have placed itself as the primary entrepot for trade activity connecting all the Indian rim countries as well as the Mediterranean and the Far East. This political-economy combined with engineering and mathematical skills of unimaginable levels would have allowed the release of a large population to build colossal stupas like Jetavana, it is learnt.
“Jetavanaramaya has not tilted even a few inches because they knew how to balance volume and weight,” stresses Prof. Seneviratne, marvelling at the engineering and technological skills of the ancients.

Paying tribute to all those who have been responsible for restoring Jetavana to its old spectacular self, he mentions the first CCF Founder Director-General Dr. Roland Silva, first Archaeology Director, Dr. Hema Ratnayake, first Conservation Director Ashley de Vos, current Archaeology Director Dr. Piyatissa Senanayake, current Conservation Director P.B. Mandawala, Prof. Ranaweera of the Engineering Faculty of the Peradeniya University, not forgetting the master craftsmen, officials, young archaeologists and conservators and the large labour force.

“Cultural Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Jetavana chief incumbent Ven. Ratnapala also gave their constant support,” he says.

Sites such as Jetavana which depict grandeur, technology, the aesthetic component and also beautiful expression should be conserved not only for cultural heritage tourism but also for what they represent, is his view.

Citing the case of the Mahayana Buddhist statues offered by the South Indian Mercantile Guilds with 10th Century Tamil writings and the Hindu statues unearthed at this site, Prof. Seneviratne points out that Jetavana represents a convergence of diverse cultural and religious aspects.

Gigantic Jetavana is extra-special because it symbolizes this island-nation’s inclusiveness and cosmopolitan character, he adds.

Courtesy: SundayTimes.lk

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Goldi Sands Hotel celebrates its thirty fifth anniversary this…

By Sanath Weerasuriya, Pix by Shan Bandu Weerasinghe

Goldi Sand Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in the Golden Stretch of beach in Ethukala, Negombo. The hotel celebrates its thirty fifth anniversary this year.

This hotel is rated as a ‘three star’ plus hotel, yet offers a four star facilities and comfortable vacation by the Indian Ocean. The hotel boasts of a private beach and a cozy summerhouse by the sea, which is a favourtie of most of the holiday makers from overseas.

‘At Goldi Sands Hotel, the combination of Sun, beach and the ever attentive staff is guaranteed to rejuvenate your body, mind and soul. Our staff is our main asset’ said Lal Dissanayake, the General Manager of the Hotel.

Accommodation at Goldi Sands comprises a stunning array of seventy five air-conditioned double rooms. Each has a private balcony and some with terraces with a view of the golden sand of Popular Negombo beach. Each room has a telephone, piped music, fridge, electronic safe, tea, coffee making facilities and en-suite bathroom with a hot and cold shower and is beautifully decorated to complement the hotel’s surroundings.

As the hotel is just fifteen minutes drive away from the Bandaranaike International Airport, and is categorized as one of the main transit hotels in the area by SriLankan Airlines

Goldi Sands Hotel offers a host of amenities, facilities and levels of comfort and maintains the meticulous standards required by the discerning guest. The large, fresh water swimming pool and fresh seafood market on the beach during the weekend are the top attractions of the hotel.

‘We boast an un-crowded and unspoilt beach, for guests to stroll along at their pleasure and to cool off in the surf of the Indian Ocean’ he added.

The main restaurant has the open air concept. Renowned for excellent seafood, supplied fresh daily by local fishermen, Goldi Sand offers wide range of seafood for both Sri Lankan and foreign guests.

‘We have highly qualified and versatile chefs, who will cater to your individual tastes. Action stations during dinner is quite popular. The guests can select their own fish, meat or veg. varieties and the chef’s do the cooking according to guest’s choice’ Dissanayake said.

The hotel claims ‘if its in the ocean its on our menu’. ‘We also offer a broad and varied A la Carte menu featuring international as well as traditional Sri Lankan cuisine.

In addition we are ready and will happily prepare special dishes for those with discerning tastes’ said the Chief Chef of the hotel. ‘Theme nights too is popular as guests always want to experience different cuisine. Seafood night is the biggest attraction’ he added.

To add a bit of spice to cuisine, hotel holds regular theme nights at the main restaurant and the ‘Beach Hut’ restaurant. These theme nights include Mongolian Night, Chinese Night, International Buffet, Italian Night, Sri Lankan Festival and Seafood Extravaganza.

Goldi Sands Hotel takes advantage of their excellent location to provide a beach barbeque during weekend. The theme is ‘fresh catch’.

Evening programmes with live entertainment is another attraction. Popular three piece band from Negombo ‘The Surge’ come alive every weekends. Saxophonist, pianist, a special Calypso band and DJ music and an oriental performing troupe share the week’s entertainment programme.

‘We are the market leader in wedding receptions in the area. Not only from the region, but from far out places and clientele from Colombo too’ said Lal Dissanayake.

‘Our wedding traditions are famous not only amongst locals but with overseas visitors as well. We offer them exotic wedding packages. Some foreigners visit Sri Lankan specially to get married in this exotic location.

Our services also extend to catering for birthday parties, seminars, conferences or any other social events’ he said

Excursions around Negombo as well as the rest of the resplendent isle are carried out by Goldi Holidays, a subsidiary of Goldi Sands. Explore Negombo, the ancient trading port, which includes such attractions as the old Dutch fort gate built in 1672, the Dutch Canal, old churches and sleepy fishing villages. Anavilundava bird’s sanctuary, Willpaththu, Seasonal Whale and Dolphin watching off Kalpitiya, ancient Angurukaramulla Temple and deep sea fishing are some of the attractions.

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COMPARE PRICES AND BOOK GOLDI SANDS HOTEL FROM 30+ TOP SITES – HERE!

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Sri Lankan to head PATA in 2010

Hiran Cooray, Sri Lanka’s Tourism Industry representative to the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) from 1996 and current Honorary Secretary Treasurer 2008/ 2009 was designated as Chairman elect of PATA for 2010 /11, at its 58th Annual General Meeting, held last week in Macau. Mrs Phornsiri Manoharn, former Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) was elected to office as Chairman for 2009 /10.

Co Chairman of Jetwing Group, Hiran serves on the Board of PATA and is an executive committee member since 2002/3, making his contribution as chairman of the PATA Travel Mart Organizing committee, Vice Chairman of the Sustainable Tourism committee, a Trustee of the PATA Foundation, as well as an active member of the PATA Industrial Council and as Chairman of the PATA Sri Lanka Chapter during the period 2002/2004. For his outstanding services to PATA, Hiran was bestowed with a Merit award at PATA Annual Conference in Jeju, Korea and Chairman’s Award 2005 in Macau in 2005.

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Sri Lanka -The Great Escape

‘Sri Lanka -The Great Escape’ the two day event, presented in Lyon and Paris, to reposition destination Sri Lanka, delighted the 320 tourism industry professionals who attended.

The destination’s many strengths were showcased with a particular emphasis on the diversity of the tourism offer available within a small land area. The richness of the culture, nature’s bounty, a warm and friendly people and world class facilities were presented as well as ongoing infrastructure development projects also explained.

Ravibandhu –Samanthi dance ensemble enthralled and entertained the visitors while Sri Lankan foods served at the event were enjoyed by all. 120 tour operators and MICE agencies had the chance to meet Sri Lankan tourism professionals during the afternoon Workshop Production. Six lucky travel agents won trips to Sri Lanka on a draw, and one lucky winner is the proud owner of a gem – an Aquamarine, reminding that beautiful gemstones are one of Sri Lanka’s many

Courtesy: Sri Lanka Tourism

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Sri Lanka Tourism gearing up for good winter

By Natasha Gunaratne

Travel operators and travel associations feel any negative publicity from the international press on Sri Lanka over the past few months will be counterbalanced from the positive exposure over this past week which includes international news organizations that covered the President’s live televised address to Parliament on Tuesday.

Managing Director of Jetwing Hiran Cooray, who is also Chairman-Elect of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), told The Sunday Times FT this past week that there will definitely be an increase in tourist arrivals but the impact of the global recession has to be kept in mind. “We will definitely see an increase and hopefully, we will have a good winter,” he said.

Mr. Cooray added that the industry was eager to market Sri Lanka once the war ended and from June 2009 onwards, the plan is kicking off. “We are just saying that Sri Lanka is a wonderful country and come and visit,” he said. When asked if the industry was aware of any overseas campaigns in key markets to discourage tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, Mr. Cooray said there have been some incidences in the past but that the publicity Sri Lanka has gotten from the end of the war will counter these acts.

Sector Head of Inbound Travel at John Keells Holdings, Wasantha Leelananda said the industry has always maintained that one of the biggest beneficiaries of peace is tourism. “The prospects for the industry are very bright and we are working closely with our overseas partners to re-launch Sri Lanka,” he said. “The comments received from overseas partners are encouraging and we are getting ready to launch new initiatives.”

Mr. Leelananda said there are no concerns on any negative publicity in the international press. “The message to the world is that there is peace,” he said. “There are challenges ahead that have to be managed but we are confident that the government will address them.” Mr. Leelananda said there will most likely be an increase in the winter bookings but that positive results will be seen over the winter and the course of the coming year.

According to statistics on tourist arrivals from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), arrivals decreased in the first three months of 2009 compared to the same period the previous year. January 2009 saw a 32.4% decline while February and March 2009 arrivals decreased by 15.7% and 10.5%.

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Sri Lanka tourism cashing in on peace

Sri Lanka tourism is getting ready to ride the crest of the peace wave. The industry that had hit rock bottom a few days back is gearing for a major comeback and is expecting tourism numbers to cross the 500,000 threshold at the end of 2009. On Friday, the tourism authorities announced an international campaign chiefly targeting six major tourism source markets.

“We are launching an international campaign in the third week of June that will go on until the end of the year. This will mainly target the UK, France, Germany, Russia, the Middle East and India,” said the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Bernard Goonatilake.

“Sri Lanka can no longer be listed as a country at war. This will make a huge difference if we can get the message out to the world. I am confident that this year, inclusive of winter arrivals, we can exceed 500,000 arrivals,” said the Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, K A D George Michael.

The tourism authorities will hold talks with ambassadors of foreign countries within the next few weeks, to push for the removal of travel advisories against Sri Lanka. The government has also given priority for tourism development in the East.
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Sri Lanka: The cat that prowls Colombo suburbs

By Malaka Rodrigo

Sacheendra Deepankara got the call around 8.30 p.m. on May 13. A friend from Kohuwela phoned to alert him about a mysterious animal that had been hit by a vehicle. An active member of the Young Zoologists’ Association, Deepankara rushed to the site and called the Dehiwala Zoo.

Zoo authorities were quick to send a team and rushed to the car sales centre where the mysterious animal had taken shelter. The torch light caught a pair of glowing eyes under a parked vehicle. With a loud ‘hissing’ noise the animal tried to escape, but the team managed to secure the nets around the ‘cat like’ creature. It had a long, stocky body and relatively short legs with a broad head. Its olive-gray fur coat with black stripes and rows of black spots made it look like a small leopard. Deepankara was quick to identify the well grown animal as a Fishing Cat, known as ‘handun diviya’ in Sinhala.

Fishing cats prefer densely vegetated areas near water – marshes, mangroves, rivers and streams. “I was amazed to see a full grown Fishing Cat in an urban area like Kohuwela,” said Deepankara. Residents said another wild cat that had fallen into a well was rescued by them a few months ago.

“There were two animals that used to roam close to the spot where the fishing cat was hit by the speeding vehicle. But they were harmless and would run away if they sensed a human presence,” said another resident. Deepankara believes the abandoned paddy fields near Green Avenue, Kohuwela could be their home.

The Fishing Cat is a medium-sized wild cat that depends on wetlands. So how can such a wild cat appear in a suburban environment? Dr.Eric Wikremanayake – a senior scientist of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – who had studied Fishing Cats in urban environments in Sri Lanka provided some answers. “It is an elusive creature that can survive in the remaining wetlands in Colombo,” says Dr. Wikramanayake. Fishing cats were recorded in areas such as Boralesgamuwa, Nawala where little pockets of forest, marshes, and mangroves remain.

Fishing cats are nocturnal and truly secretive wild cats that avoid humans so studying them is a nightmare for researchers. Dr. Wikramanayake faced the same problem during his study of this urban fishing cat population done in early 2000 at Attidiya/Bellanwila and Sri Jayawardenepura/Kotte wetlands with the approval of Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) and funding from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. The research team first interviewed the villagers and identified the areas fishing cats are frequently seen. Then they used quite an unusual method to study these wild cats, setting camera traps all around the edges of the identified fishing cat routes. The fishing cats took their own pictures by breaking a sensory beam that triggers the camera shutter as they walked past. Pictorial evidence confirmed their presence in Nawala and Attidiya.

This study also shed light on the behaviour and ecology of this wild cat that ironically, lives so close to human habitation. The time recorded on the photographs indicated that fishing cats are active both day and night. Although people reported seeing them very early in the morning, the photographs showed fishing cats walking around at midday. Some shots recorded more than one Fishing Cats. This indicates that mating too is not a problem and the remaining population would survive, if the urban wilderness was retained. “Being a charismatic species, we should use the Fishing Cat as a flagship species to promote the need to protect our remaining wetlands,” says Dr. Wikremanayake.

The research team had plans to radio collar fishing cats to track their movements and distribution. They also had plans to compare the behaviour patterns of fishing cats in urban areas with fishing cats living in natural environments.

The second part of the study however was halted due to security reasons as the two main sites are located near high security zones – one near the Parliament and the other near Ratmalana airport.
During the initial study, the team found that fishing cats are often accused of preying on chickens. The Fishing Cat research team also began an awareness campaign among the local residents and in schools, to impress upon people that what they have in their backyards is something special—an endangered wild cat that needs to be conserved. The latest victim – the Kohuwala Fishing Cat was already dead by the time it was taken to the Animal Hospital in Dehiwala Zoo. So it needs a collective effort to protect the remaining Fishing Cat population in urban and suburban areas, before it is too late.

Fishing Cat – fact file

Known as the “bull dog” of cats, the fishing cat has a long, stocky body. The average weight of a male is 12 kg while a female weighs around 7 kg. Its diet includes birds, small mammals, snakes, snails, and of course fish.

The cat attracts fish by lightly tapping the water’s surface to catch the fish. It can also use its partially webbed paws to scoop fish, frogs, and other prey out of the water or swim underwater to prey on ducks and other aquatic birds.

It is powerful enough to take large prey, such as calves and dogs. Listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the World Conservation Union’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, fishing cats are threatened by habitat loss and hunting.

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