The high mountains of Sri Lanka in the morning light, Belihul Oya, Sri Lanka
©2008 Duleepa Wijayawardhana
Album Notes
Sri Lanka is an odd island. At about 600 km from top to bottom and only about 400 km at its widest, you would hardly expect the geographical variety on a tropical island this close to the equator. Well, at least not without a few active volcanoes littering the landscape. Ringing the island are white sandy beaches, the primary stop for most tourists. However, just as popular are the jagged highlands that rise in the centre.
When the British conquered the island they set about exploring and mapping the island thoroughly as the British were wont to in those days. They discovered the highest points of the island, areas where Sri Lankans had seldom travelled, it was after all too cold. At 2000m the temperatures can drop down to the low teens at times, not the kind of place for peoples accustomed to the sun-drenched lowlands.
Here the British grew tea and build summer houses. With sunshine, abundant rainfall and rich soil, the Highlands were a favourite of the British.
