UNESCO - Central Highlands Of Sri Lanka

I have swapped for this postcard because there are cute little lizards on it - only later I've realised that it is part on an UNESCO site, double score..! Because the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka comprise three protected areas, one of which is pictured Horton Plains National Park. This plateau at an altitude of 2,100–2,300 metres is covered by montane grassland and cloud forest with rich biodiversity; many species found here are endemic to the region.

The vertebrate fauna of the region includes 24 species of mammals, 87 species of birds, nine species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians. The birdie top right could be the Sri Lanka white-eye, a small passerine bird. The top left lizzie is possibly the Black-lipped Lizard (Calotes nigrilabris), while the bottom left one remains unknown. 

What else is unknown is the name of the sender, I have looked into my fb correspondence but to no avail...I must be more thorough and come back to say the proper thanks, esp considering the biggest amount of stamps I have ever seen on a Sri Lankan postcard :)

 

The Common Green Forest Lizard, Sri Lanka

Common for some, but very exotic for me! Calotes calotes is an agamid (a family of over 300 species of iguanian lizards) lizard found in the forests of the Western Ghats and the Shevaroy Hills in India, and Sri Lanka; considerably large species measuring 50 to 65 cm in length, including the tail.

What a wonderful addition to my collection...thanks so much Dyanie :))

 

Asian Elephants, Sri Lanka

Cute elephants bathing (look at the little one!) at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, in Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. The orphanage was originally founded in order to afford care and protection to many of the orphaned unweaned wild elephants found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation. The orphanage is open to the public daily, and all admission fees are used to look after the elephants; visitors to the park can view the care and daily routine of the elephants, such as bottle feeding of elephant calves, feeding of all other elephants, and bathing in the Ma Oya (River).

I really hope they take good care of the elephants there...hearing all the bad stories about the sanctuaries in south-east Asia makes me feel cautious about such places. Best of luck to everyone involved!

And thank you Mariyam for another great card from you, this time with a matching stamp :)

 

Fishermen On Sri Lanka

This is such an iconic image isn't it? A wonderful view from a dear friend on holiday :)) What can I add, except that I so wish that I was there with her. And look, it is NOT a zodiac stamp..!

UNESCO - Golden Temple Of Dambulla, Sri Lanka

I have written about this site some posts ago as it featured on a multiview card, but here is a reminder - a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m² ) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues. There is also a spring which drips its water, said to have healing powers, out of a crack in the ceiling.

My dream of visiting this amazing place called Sri Lanka continues...in the meantime, I am thrilled to have postcards from there, thanks to Hema :))

Ruwanwelisaya Chedi, Sri Lanka

Ruwanwelisaya Chedi is situated in the sacred city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka (which makes it a UNESCO site - but I have covered it in another post :)) built by King Dutugemunu c. 140 B.C. The stupa is one of the world's tallest monuments, standing at 103 m and with a circumference of 290 m.

Thanks to Umama Ya :)

UNESCO - Anuradhapura / Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Two Unesco sites on one postcard! Showing on the left the Sacred City of Anuradhapura and on the right the Golden Temple of Dambulla. As I have posted a postcard of the 1st I will include some info on the latter:

The ensemble of Dambulla is an outstanding example of the religious art and expression of Sri Lanka and South and South-East Asia. A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues.

Thanks so much Hena!

UNESCO - Ancient City Of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. bears witness to several civilizations, notably that of the conquering Cholas, disciples of Brahminism, and that of the Sinhalese sovereigns during the 12th and 13th centuries. This immense capital created by the megalomaniac sovereign, Parakramabahu I, in the 12th century, is one of history's most astonishing urban creations, both because of its unusual dimensions and because of the very special relationship of its buildings with the natural setting.

The postcard shows Potgul Vihara or Library Monastery, which is believed to had been built, as mentioned in the chronicle, “for listening to the birth stories of the Great Sage, which were related by a teacher”. Today, if you enter the round room, which is plastered, the acoustics are still excellent.

Many thanks for this swap Naafiah :))

UNESCO - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, situated 205 km north of the capital Colombo. It was the capital from the 4th-11th century and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. This picture shows the Ruwanweli Saya stupa, one of the eight Places Of Veneration in Anuradhapura and one of the most sacred Buddhist sites - and with its 91-m-hight it belongs to the world's tallest monuments.

I was happy hApPy HaPpY to receive an Unesco card from Sri Lanka, which to me looks like an amazing country - thank you so much Xi! :))) I'd love to get my hands on a complete set of these Zodiac stamps..!