Serendib Magazine - January 2014

In this issue

January marks the beginning of the rice harvest celebration of the Maha or major crop cycle. At Dalada Maligawa, drums announce the commencement of the Aluth Sahal Mangallaya or Festival of New Rice celebrating a successful harvest and promises fortunate new beginnings.
The design is iconic and gives an aura of grandeur. The Magam Ruhunupura International Convention Centre (MRICC) in Siribopura gives the required edge for this fast developing metropolis in Hambantota.
Days that mark the four phases of the moon are known as Poya days. These days are considered holy by the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Of the four Poya days in the month, the Full Moon Day is more important than the others.
Rekawa Beach is located just over 200 km south of Colombo and of the seven most common sea turtle species, five of them return to Rekawa for nesting. They consist of the Green, Olive Ridley, Leatherback, Loggerhead and Hawksbill Turtles.
The Mirijjawila Botanical Gardens lies along the Hambantota–Sooriyawewa Road. Sprawling lawns, shaded paths and flower gardens are images one hardly associate with the dry and arid zone of the land. However, one might be surprised to find that this is indeed a possibility here.
The Sabaragamuwa dance tradition is fundamentally a depiction of the rite of worship. The dances portray rituals intended for the pantheon of gods.
Walk into the Central Bank’s new Economic History Museum of Sri Lanka in Fort and prepare to be greeted by not only the finest expositions in the history of currency but also the history of the country.
Vallipuram Alvar Vishnu Kovil situated in Thunnalai, Vadamarachchi is considered one of the oldest Hindu temples in Jaffna.
The British called it the Bible Rock. The locals merely called it Batalegala, supposedly after a king finding his pot of rice cooked in the vicinity stained with blood.