POSTCARD N.161 - SRI LANKA

Postcard sent on the 2nd September; received on the 11th September 2024

Postcard image: Ritigala Mountain 
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Another item of  the postcard set dedicated to Sri Lanka's mountains, which Ravindra has kindly been sending me. Bohomȧ  sthoothi, friend!

Ritigala mountain comprises 4 peaks, the highest one standing 764.25m above see level, what makes it the highest mountain in North Central Sri Lanka.

The mountain is also famous for being the location of an old Buddhist monastery, dating back to the 1st century BC.

The 20th general Conference of World Buddhist Sangha Youth (Sangha designating ordained members of the cult, if I get it right) was held in parallel with the  5th General Conference of the World Alliance of Buddhists on the 22nd June 2024 at Nagadeepa Purana Rajamaha Viharaya,  one of the sixteen most sacred places of worship by the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. 

On the occasion, Sri Lanka Post issued the 50 rupee stamp on the postcard, issued on 22JUN2024, and I have to confess my total ignorance as to what the hand symbols featured in the illustration represent. Can you help, Ravi?

Postage was completed with a 25 rupee stamp issued on 13SEP2017, featuring a nice painting of Dondra lighthouse, which is particular because it is Sri Lanka's tallest Lighthouse (49 m) and also due to the fact that it is located on the southernmost tip of the Island.

As usual, the postmark is from Colombo's PO Headquarters.