Sri Lanka tour 2007

sri lanka now is not much different from KL in the late 70s. the buildings are worn down. though the presence of soldiers around town is very obvious. each of them carries either an AK47 or M16, ready for action.

to go to the masjid for friday prayers, we had to go through a military check point. everyone must show their papers (id) before they are let through. military trucks and personnel are stationed in the compounds of the masjid. the place looks like an army camp rather than a msajid compound. at the roof of the masjid, snipers (i think) are placed overlooking the compound. from my observations muslim there are well off, they are the professionals, the money changers, the owners of supermarkets. they even own a hotel (5 star so they say), the galadari.

tut tut is a popular mode of transportation in colombo. the drivers drive the tut tut like nobody's business. they disregard the traffic lights (most of it are not working), driving zig zagging to avoid the many potholes.