“Batalegala Kanda” or commonly known as bible rock is situated in Kandy and visible as you reach a area called Kadugannawa. It can be seen, shrouded in thick jungle from time immemorial. It has been named as bible rock by British rulers at that time when Sri Lanka was ruled by them probably because of its shape. It is rectangular in shape as you see in the picture and they might have seen that like a book or bible for that matter. However, today it is being transformed into a Buddhist place of worship. To the traveler proceeding from Colombo to Kandy, the magnificent spectacle of the rock stands as a collosurs dwarfing the surrounding landscape.
Peradeniya university research sessions (PURSE) for 2008 was held last week. It is the main scientific meeting of the year in our University. Approximately 200 research papers in various fields of study such as agriculture, engineering, health sciences (medicine, dental and allied health science), biological and physical sciences and humanities and social sciences were presented at the meeting.
The meeting was held at the faculty of science, university of Peradeniya. His Excellency Choi Ki Chul the ambassador of the republic of Korea was the chief guest for the occasion. The meeting was a success and very productive.
Last week end we had a health camp organized by JICA (Japan International Corporation Agency) Alumni Association. It was basically an eye and dental camp for the people lived in a very remote area called Rajanganaya in the north central province of Sri Lanka. This area belongs to the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura. It is the first kingdom of Sri Lanka. It belongs to the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Therefore, the temperature usually touches 35 degree centigrade or above. However, as this is the rainy season in Sri Lanka, it was little cooler than usual.
We as Sri Lankans, love to visit the area at least once a year because there are lot of ancient ruins (Buddhist temples, Castles, etc.) which reminds us the work of our ancestors. However, Rajanganaya where our health camp was held is about thirty kilometers away from Anuradhapura main city.
It was a very successful health programme. Eight dental surgeons (all my colleagues working at Dental hospital (Teaching) of University of Peradeniya) including myself and four dental nurses participated. I was the co-ordinator for the event from the Faculty of Dental Sciences side. We examined and treated around 500 patients, mainly school children. There were Japanese volunteer workers working in different parts of Sri Lanka also attended the event. Therefore, I had a rare chance of speaking with them and polishing my Japanese speaking abilities.
It is nice posting in the blog after some time and I apologize for being silent during past couple of months. However, there is a reason for that. I return to Sri Lanka and commenced duties at my University two months ago after a long stay (5 years) in Japan Therefore, I needed some time to settle down. Nevertheless, as a new beginning I hope to introduce my home town, Kandy this time.
Kandy is the Sri Lanka’s hill capital, strong hold of the Sinhala kings as well as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is 488 meters above the sea level and next to Colombo is Sri Lanka’s most visited place. The valley of Kandy is surrounded by hills and a colourful pageant takes place in Kandy, annually.
Our home is located facing the Knuckles mountain range in the Dumbara valley. The Knuckles range; its name describes its outline and consists of the Knuckles massif, the Knuckles range and the Knuckles peaks. The Knuckles massif is about 90 square miles in extent and is a detached block of the central highlands separated from the main highlands by the Dumbara valley. There are 35 peaks rising to more than 3000 feet (915 meters) in the Knuckles range.
We have a beautiful view of the Knuckles and Dumbara valley from our living place. The area is called “Dumbara” because it covered with clouds like smoke most part of the day. When I come home after work from the busy city of Kandy, I feel like I have come to a different world. It is so relaxing and beautiful. I think my friends who had visited our place may agree with me as well.
Bonsai is one of many things, I am very curious about in Japan. You may be able to look at a potted Bonsai tree for many hours without being fed up. It is so gorgeous. However, it is not an easy task to make and maintain a bonsai tree. It needs a lot of commitment and patience.
Bonsai is the art of aesthetic miniaturization of trees by growing them in containers. Originating in China, Bonsai is a Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Penzai. The word Bonsai has been used by the west as an umbrella, term for all miniature trees. Bonsai are not genetically dwarfed plants. They are created from nearly any tree or shrub species and remain small through pot confinement and crown and root pruning. Some specific species are more sought after for use as Bonsai material. This is because they have characteristics that make them appropriate for the smaller design arrangements of Bonsai.
There are many different styles of Bonsai exist. The most common styles include; formal upright, slant, informal upright, cascade, semi-cascade, raft, literati and group/forest. In addition, there are root over rock style, broom style, multi trunk style and growing in a rock style. Traditionally, Bonsai are shaped from temperate climate trees kept outdoors as they require full sunlight and a winter dormancy period at near freezing temperatures. In the artificial environments of a home, these trees will become weakened and die.
Recently, I visited a Bonsai museum near Tokyo. There were hundreds of Bonsai trees of different types, styles and ages. The oldest one was considered more than 1000 years old. Isn’t it amazing?
Sakura (Cherry) blossom is coming up shortly in Japan. Before that, especially in late January and February Ume blossoms can be seen all over Japan. The Ume is a species of Asian plum in the family Rosaceae. The tree originates from China and was brought to Japan and Korea later. The tree is cultivated for its fruit and flowers. In Chinese, it is called mei or meizi. The Japanese name is ume while Korean name is maesil. The flowers are typically white though cultivars may have rose or deep red flowers.
Ume blossoms are often mentioned in Japanese poetry as a symbol of spring. Unlike the Japanese, however, the Chinese see the blossoms as more of a symbol for winter. It is precisely for this reason that the blossoms are so beloved, because they bloom most vibrantly amidst the winter snow, after other plants have shed their leaves, and before any other flowers appear. Because they blossom in winter, the ume, the pine, and the bamboo together have been called the “Three Friends of the Cold” .
Now it is almost spring in Japan where it is getting warmer gradually. Last winter was the final winter of my present stay in Japan. I found, it was much colder than any other winter seasons I had experienced. It was further evidenced by some heavy snow falling days especially to Tokyo. Therefore, 2007-2008 winter in Tokyo was quite different from the pervious one when it hardly had any snow.
When looking at the world weather, this cold weather pattern seemed to be common especially to the east. In China, there were series of winter storms characterized by heavy snows, ice and cold temperatures causing extensive damage and transportation disruptions. According to scientists at China’s National Climate Center and the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes (IPCC), these winter storms in China have been mainly related to abnormal atmospheric circulation and La Nina, and are not directly linked to climate change.
A flea market or swap market is a place where vendors come to sell or trade their goods. The goods are usually inexpensive and range in quality depending on several factors. In Japan, at the beginning of every season, there is a flea market in almost every community. The vast majority of flea markets sell goods that are second-hand. Larger sections of newer but usually inexpensive items can be found at some of the larger or more urban flea markets. There are many kinds of goods ranging from clothing, shoes, handbags, fragrances, toys, ect.
The original flea market is likely to be the Marche aux puces of Saint-Quen, Sein-Saint-Denis, in the northern suburbs of Paris. It is a large, long established outdoor bazaar, one of four in Paris. They earned their name from the flea-infested clothing and rags sold there. From the late 17th century, the makeshift open-air market in the town of Saint-Ouen began as temporary stalls and benches among the fields and market gardens where ragpickers exchange their findings for a small sum.
During my stay in Tokyo, one of most expensive cities in the world, I found that flea markets are cheap and convenient, especially if you stay for a short period. Some times, you may find some interesting items and good souvenirs for cheaper prices. However, you have to be there as early as possible to find best things.
Mikan is one of my favorite fruits in Japan. Commonly grown in autumn and winter, Mikan, which is known as Citrus unshiu, is a seedless and easy pealing citrus mutant of Chinese origin. In Japan, it is known as Unshu Mikan. It is also often known as “seedless mandarin”. Its fruit is sweet and usually seedless, about the size of other mandarin oranges, smaller than other orange. The Mikan originates from Wenzhou, a city in Zhenjiang province in China. It was introduce to Japan by the Buddhist monk, Chie.
You would find a Mikan tree in most of old Japanese gardens. When they are full in fruits, it gives a beautiful site with orange colored Mikan hanging among green leaves.
I am a Professor in Anatomy at the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. I received my BDS (Bachelor in Dental Surgery) from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and Ph.D. in Physical Anthropology (Dental Anthropology) from Nihon University, Japan. I am going to present my experiences in Japan and introduce my home country, Sri Lanka to the world through this blog. In addition, I will share my teaching and research matters when I find them interesting and impressive.
