Sri Lanka to host prestigious Indian film awards 2010 !

The organizers of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, 2010 selected Sri Lanka as the next venue after considering several offers from different countries.
The IIFA Awards are presented annually by the International Indian Film Academy to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in Bollywood, the Hindi language film industry.
Instituted in 2000, the ceremony is held in different countries around the world every year.
Previous hosts included the United Kingdom, Malaysia, South Africa, Singapore and Thailand.
The IIFA Awards will be held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium from June 2 to 4. Sri Lanka will be the hub of international attention with IIFA awards drawing many illustrious figures of Bollywood together with prominent business people.

Sri Lanka has been chosen from amongst countries such as South Africa, Abu Dhabi, Australia and Korea to host this prestigious event.

Parallel to the IIFA Awards, an international fashion show and worldwide film premier and a trade and business forum with the participation of over hundred CEOs will be held.
Also to be looked forwards is the Asia Cup, a 20-20 match to be played between Bollywood stars and Asian cricketers.
The event promises a forty percent increase in tourist arrivals.
"This is a very rare and wonderful opportunity for Sri Lanka. Thanks to the prevailing peace, Sri Lanka has received international recognition," Minister of Tourism, Achala Jagoda said.
The event will garner media coverage from over 400 media organizations worldwide.
This will culminate in a total value of 40 million dollars worth of airtime.

The Ministry of Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Defence and Sports will coordinate in handling this event.
This event will also provide massive opportunities for Sri Lanka and India to strengthen their trade and business ties.
- Asian Tribune -

Yala National Park

Yala National Park or Ruhuna National Park is the second largest and most visited national park in Sri Lanka. Yala is situated in the southeast region of the country, and lies in Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 square kilometres (378 sq mi) and is about 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Colombo. It had originally had been designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu it was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938. The park is best known for its variety of its wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan Elephants and aquatic birds.
There are six national parks and three wildlife sanctuaries in the vicinity of Yala. The park is situated in the dry semi-arid climatic region and rain is received mainly during the northeast monsoon. The national park hosts a variety of ecosystems ranging from moist monsoon forests to freshwater and marine wetlands.

Yala is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sri Lanka. Yala harbours 215 bird species including six endemic species of Sri Lanka. The number of mammals that has been recorded from the park is 44, and it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world. The area had been a centre of past civilisations. Two important pilgrim sites, Sithulpahuwa and Magul vihara, are situated within the park. The number of visitors has risen in 2009 since the security situation in the park improved.

Gambhir, Nehra recover, thank President Rajapaksa for facilitating ayurvedic treatment

Indian opening batsman Gautam Gambhir and bowler Ashish Nehra called on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday and thanked him for facilitating their prompt treatment by a well-known ayurvedic physician of the island nation.

They were leaving for India  after recovering from injuries sustained while playing in the ongoing Indian Premier League series. The injuries almost jeopardised their prospects in the ongoing series.

Gambhir and Nehra were treated by Eliyantha White on Mr. Rajapaksa's request.

An official in the Sri Lankan Presidential Secretariat said besides thanking the President and Dr. White, the players also thanked Sri Lankan cricketer Dilshan Tillakaratne, who is now playing in the IPL, for recommending the treatment and making arrangements for it through the President.

Batsman Sachin Tendulkar has also been successfully treated for a sports injury by Dr. White at the request of the President.

- (The Hindu)

Gambhir, Nehra rushed to Lanka for ayurvedic treatment

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Daredevils have rushed injured captain Gautam Gambhir and key paceman Ashish Nehra to Sri Lanka for ayurvedic treatment, on a suggestion from the team's Sri Lankan player Tillakaratne Dilshan.

"Both these cricketers have gone to Sri Lanka for treatment. The doctor has treated many Indian cricketers before. We are not rushing things but if a player is injured, it's our duty to take care of him. When Dilshan suggested the doctor's name, Srinivas Bommibala, the chairman (GMR sports) immediately okayed the proposal and within hours a special flight was arranged to take the cricketers to Lanka," PB Vanchi, the GMR sports division director, told TOI on Saturday.

Gambhir suffered a hamstring injury during Delhi's first home game against Mumbai Indians last Wednesday. Nehra is nursing a rib injury he picked up during training in Mohali before the team's first IPL game and is believed to be on the verge of complete recovery.

The cricketers are expected to be back either on March 23 or 24. "Our team is under no pressure after two defeats. We know that we have a good team, and some other foreign recruits are joining the team soon. So we are ready for the challenge ahead of us," Vanchi added.

Sri Lankan Ayurvedic traditions

Sri Lanka has its own indigenous scheme of traditional medicine (Ayurveda).This system has been practised for many centuries in the island nation. The Sri Lankan Ayurvedic tradition is a mixture of the Ayurveda and Siddha systems of India, Unani medicine from the Arabs, and most importantly, the Desheeya Chikitsa, which is the indigenous medicine of Sri Lanka.

History

Sri Lanka developed its own Ayurvedic system based on a series of prescriptions handed down from generation to generation over a period of 3,000 years. The ancient kings, who were also prominent physicians, sustained its survival and longevity. King Buddhadasa (398 AD), the most influential of these physicians, wrote the Sarartha Sangrahaya, a comprehensive manuscript which Sri Lankan physicians still use today for reference.

Ancient inscriptions on rock surfaces reveal that organized medical services have existed within the country for centuries. In fact, Sri Lanka claims to be the first country in the world to have established dedicated hospitals. The Sri Lankan mountain Mihintale still has the ruins of what many believe to be the first hospital in the world. Old hospital sites now attract tourists, who marvel at the beautiful ruins. These places have come to symbolize a traditional sense of healing and care, which was so prevalent at that time.

Historically the Ayurvedic physicians enjoyed a noble position in the country's social hierarchy due to their royal patronage. From this legacy stems a well-known Sri Lankan saying: "If you can not be a king, become a healer." Along with Buddhism, the interrelationship between Ayurveda and royalty continues to influence politics in Sri Lanka.

From wikipedia.

The five caves in Dambulla cave temple

The temple is composed of five caves, which have been converted into shrine rooms. The caves, built at the base of a 150m high rock during the Anuradhapura (1st Century BC to 993 AD) and Polonnaruwa times (1073 to 1250), are by far the most impressive of the many cave temples found in Sri Lanka. Access is along the gentle slope of the Dambulla Rock, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding flat lands, which includes the rock fortress Sigiriya, 19 km away. Dusk brings hundreds of swooping swallows to the cave entrance. The largest cave measures about 52m from east to west, and 23m from the entrance to the back, this spectacular cave is 7m tall at its highest point. Hindu deities are also represented here, as are the kings Valgamba and Nissankamalla, and Ananda - the Buddha's most devoted disciple

Cave of the Divine King

The first cave is called Devaraja lena (lena in sinhalese meaning cave), or "Cave of the Divine King." An account of the founding of the monastery is recorded in a first-century Brahmi inscription over the entrance to the first cave. This cave is dominated by the 14-meter statue of the Buddha, hewn out of the rock. It has been repainted countless times in the course of its history, and probably received its last coat of paint in the 20th century. At his feet is Buddha's favorite pupil, Ananda; at his head, Vishnu, said to have used his divine powers to create the caves.

Cave of the Great Kings

In the second and largest cave, in addition to 16 standing and 40 seated statues of Buddha, are the gods Saman and Vishnu, which pilgrims often decorate with garlands, and finally statues of King Vattagamani, who honored the monastery in the first century B.C., and King Nissanka Malla, responsible in the 12th century for the gilding of 50 statues, as indicated by a stone inscription near the monastery entrance. This cave is accordingly called Maharaja lena, "Cave of the Great Kings." The Buddha statue hewn out of the rock on the left side of the room is escorted by wooden figures of the Bodhisattvas Maitreya and Avalokiteshvara or Natha. There is also a dagoba and a spring which drips its water, said to have healing powers, out of a crack in the ceiling. Valuable tempera paintings on the cave ceiling dating from the 18th century depict scenes from Buddha's life, from the dream of Mahamaya to temptation by the demon Mara. Further pictures relate important events from the country's history.

Great New Monastery

The third cave, the Maha Alut Vihara, the "Great New Monastery" acquired ceiling and wall paintings in the typical Kandy style during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747-1782), the famous Buddhist revivalist. In addition to the 50 Buddha statues, there is also a statue of the king.

Fourth and fifth caves

 The fourth and fifth caves are smaller; they date from a later period and are not of such high quality. A small Vishnu Devale between the first and second caves attracts many worshipers.

Statues

Within these shrine rooms is housed a collection of one hundred and fifty statues of the Buddhist Order and the country's history. These statues and paintings are representative of many epochs of Sinhala sculpture and Sinhala art. The Buddha statues are in varying sizes and attitudes - the largest is 15 metres long. One cave has over 1,500 paintings of Buddha covering the ceiling.

Dambulla cave temple

Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 148 km east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains.There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Lord Buddha and his life. There are total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings and 4 statues of gods and goddesses. The latter include two statues of Hindu gods, the god Vishnu and the god Ganesh. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square meters. Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara, and Buddha's first sermon.

Prehistoric Sri Lankans would have lived in these cave complexes before the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as there are burial sites with human skeletons about 2700 years old in this area, at Ibbankatuwa near the Dambulla cave complexes.

Dating back to the 1st century BC, this is the most impressive cave temple in Asia. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. In 1938 the architecture was embellished with arched colonnades and gabled entrances. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images following the contours of the rock. There are images of the Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses.
The Dambulla cave monastery is still functional and remains the best-preserved ancient edifice in Sri Lanka. This complex dates from the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, when it was already established as one of the largest and most important monasteries. King Valagambahu is traditionally thought to have converted the caves into a temple in the 1st century BC. Exiled from Anuradhapura, he sought refuge here from South Indian usurpers for 15 years. After reclaiming his capital, the King built a temple in thankful worship. Many other kings added to it later and by the 11th century, the caves had become a major religious centre and still are. King Nissanka Malla gilded the caves and added about 70 Buddha statues in 1190. During the 18th century, the caves were restored and painted by the Kandyan Kings.

Arugam Bay

Arugam Bay is on the list of the top ten surf points in the world. Situated on the South East side of Sri Lanka Arugam Bay receives the same Antarctic winter swell's that hit Indonesia in the in the middle of the year. The best time of the year is between May and November when the predominant wind is offshore for at least the first half of the day.

CLIMATE

Pottuvil and Arugam Bay are situated on the Indian Ocean in the dry zone of Sri Lanka's South-East coast.  The area is rich in bird life and wildlife in the widespread jungle areas, wetlands and lagoons nearby. It has it's own specific climate with very little rain compared to the rest of the island.

Average temperatures in the shade are:

28-30 degrees Celsius during Nov. Dec. and Jan.

30-32 degrees Celsius during Feb. Mar. and Sept. Oct.

32-36 degrees Celsius during April May June July August

November and December are quiet, but beautiful. It is often windy, but still warm and it rains on and off. It is the rainy time in the East, but still there are many sunny days. All through the year the variating landscape invites trips on bycycle, motorfbike and off-roaders, as well as walking along the beaches. During this period many migrating birds arrive. January, February and March have a very agreeable , though slightly humid climate. Refreshing winds blow from the North-East. The weather and waves are mostly good for wind-surfing, rafting, fishing and swimming, and this is the best time for birdwatching. During April and May the sun is at its Zenith, and it can get rather hot and humid. The wind changes to South-East, and the season for body-surf starts. Arugam Bay is known as one of the best surf-points in the world. From June the climate starts to feel less hot, as the soil and air get drier. Before midday a constant breeze from South East blows. The waves are now mostly steady for surf. A canoe trip in the lagoon during sunset is unforgettable. The same is true for July, August, September and October, which are dry as well. This is contrary to the climate on the West Coast and many holidaymakers and surfers arrive during these months. A couple of showers in September or October make the landscape green again .

Nilaveli beach

Nilaveli (Pronounced Nilaa-Veli, Tamil translation Open-land of the moon-shine) is a coastal resort town located about 20 km North-West of Trincomalee, Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka.With the end of Sri lankan civil war this place has become a very popular tourist destination.

Tourism - Udawalawe elephant transit home

As in the famous Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, tourists can visit there and would have the joy of seeing the baby elephants being bottle fed every three hours. Although in this conservation centre people could not be allowed to get right amongst them and touch them. They should watch all these activities stand away from some distance because the conservation centre does not want to build up any relationship between elephants and human due to ongoing releasing programme.

Foster-Parent Scheme for baby elephants in Udawalawe

This scheme will be entitled to have certain privileges to the foster parents.

* The caretaker can give a name to the baby elephant which he or she looks after.
* He or she will be allowed to take photographs of that elephant.
* Name of the foster parent and the elephant will be displayed.
* A free circuit bungalow will be offered to the foster parent in Udawalawa National Park for two days per year.
* The Department of Wildlife Conservation gives publicity to caretaker and the elephant.
* At the time the baby elephant is set free arrangements will be made for the foster parent.

Releasing Programme of the Elephants

The elephant calves have been looked after until they become 5 years old. After that age limit they have to be released to the wild to adapt the conditions. Before being released to the wild, baby elephants are fitted with radio collars to help wildlife officials to monitor their movements, behaviour and progress. Elephant dung is diluted and rubbed on their bodies to help them achieve the 'jungle smell' and erase any human smells that they might have developed during their stay at the elephant transit centre. Dung bath is also essential otherwise wild elephants will not accept the newcomers. Due to some relationships built up with the caretakers in the transit centre, some elephants reject to leave the centre while they are being loaded into transportation vehicles. That is why the transit centre gives their full strength to keep these elephant calves away from human beings.