0187. Sri Lanka (erstwhile Ceylon) - Colombo Plan Exhibition

The two stamp(s) valued 5 cents and 15 cents were released by Ceylon Post to commemorate the opening day of the Colombo Plan Exhibition on 23-Feb-1952. Twin stamp(s) depict a Lighthouse. 

The two stamp(s) list year(s) 1931 and 1952, which symbolically represent :

1931, the 21st anniversary of Universal Adult Franchise in Ceylon and
1952, the first anniversary of the Colombo Plan

Colombo Plan is a regional organization born out of a Commonwealth Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Colombo, Sri Lanka (erstwhile Ceylon) in January 1950.  It embodies the concept of collective inter-governmental effort to strengthen economic and social development of member countries in Asia-Pacific region.  The primary focus of all Colombo Plan activities is on Human Resources Development. 

0180. Srilanka - Lighthouse(s) Miniature Sheet Overprint

Srilanka Post commemorated the Lighthouses of Sri Lanka by the release of Rs.500 (LKR) Miniature Sheet with Overprint on 23.25 (LKR) on 15-Sep-2010.  The Lighthouse(s) commemorated were: 

1. Little Basses Lighthouse 0.50 cents value

2. Great Basses Lighthouse 0.75 cents value

3. Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse 2.00 (LKR) value

4. Galle Lighthouse 20.00 (LKR) value

My sincere thanks to D.P. Jayathillake from Sri Lanka for sending me this Overprint Lighthouse Miniature Sheet.

NOTE : Details about the Lighthouse(s) and the earlier Miniature Sheet are available in my Post Nos.0111 to 0113 and 0118 to 0119....

0120. Srilanka - Galle Lighthouse

Srilanka Post on the occasion of the First anniversary of the Asian Tsunami released a Miniature Sheet comprising of 4 stamps on 26-Dec-2005.   

These stamps were released in remembrance of the Tsunami devastation which occurred on 26-Dec-2004.  An earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter Scale was felt soon after the Tsunami.  The magnitude of the earthquake, Tsunami and the year were depicted in the stamp(s) as well as in the Miniature Sheet.

The 33.00 (LKR) postage stamp depicts the Tsunami waves sweeping on the Galle Lighthouse built in the Galle Fort by the Dutch.

NOTE : Details about Galle Lighthouse is available in my Post No.0118....

0119. Srilanka - Lighthouse(s) Miniature Sheet

Srilanka Post commemorated the:

1. Little Basses Lighthouse 0.50 cents value

2. Great Basses Lighthouse 0.75 cents value

3. Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse 2.00 (LKR) value

4. Galle Lighthouse 20.00 (LKR) value

by the release of Miniature Sheet on 22-Jan-1996.

NOTE : Details about these Lighthouse(s) are available in my Post Nos.0111 to 0113 and 0118....

0118. Srilanka - Galle Lighthouse

Galle Lighthouse is Srilanka's oldest light station.  Galle Lighthouse is located in the middle of an ancient Galle Fort, declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.  The Lighthouse is therefore a part of the World Heritage Site.  Galle is Srilanka's oldest city, located on the South-Western shore of the island.  Galle has a natural harbor with South pointing promontory.  The Lighthouse is strategically located at the end of the promontory, giving it full view of any ships.

In 1505, the Portuguese arrived Galle.  They seized control of the city from the Srilankan kings and began construction of the Galle Fort.  In 1640, the Dutch captured the city and built the Lighthouse at the Galle Fort. But, during a battle, the Lighthouse was burnt down.  The Dutch remained in Srilanka for almost 150 years.  The city was taken by the British in 1796.  Thus, the city was under the European domination for almost four centuries.

The Galle Lighthouse is situated at the edge of the quadrangular Galle Fort and is built 20 feet above the road level on the ramparts.  The Lighthouse was a round-shaped.  The wind direction can be observed with the help of a red arrow at the top of the Lighthouse.  The exterior wall of the Lighthouse was adorned with lines resembling rings and there were about 23 lines carved from top to the bottom.  The Lighthouse has an automated system where the lights go ON and OFF through automatic system.  The present Lighthouse was built by British in 1939. 

Srilanka Post commemorated the Galle Lighthouse by the release of 20.00 (LKR) postage stamp on 22-Jan-1996. 

Re-built in 1939, the Galle Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND cast-iron
• Tower painted WHITE
• Base of the lantern is painted RED
• Height is 27 meters
• Colour scheme of LIGHT is WHITE
• Light character is 2 (two) FLASHES every 15 seconds

0117. Srilanka - Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse - Overprint

Srilanka Post commemorated the Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse by the release of 2.50 (LKR) postage stamp with Overprint of 2.00 (LKR) on 3-Dec-1999. 

NOTE : Details about this Lighthouse is available in my Post No.0113....

0116. Srilanka - Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse - Overprint #3

Srilanka Post commemorated the Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse by the release of 2.00 (LKR) postage stamp with Overprint of 2.50 (LKR) on 12-Feb-1997.  

This is the 3rd one of the 4 Overprint(s) of  2.00 (LKR) Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse stamp. 

NOTE : Details about this Lighthouse is available in my Post No.0113....

0115. Srilanka - Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse - Overprint #2

Srilanka Post commemorated the Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse by the release of 2.00 (LKR) postage stamp with Overprint of 2.50 (LKR) on 12-Feb-1997.  

This is the 2nd one of the 4 Overprint(s) of  2.00 (LKR) Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse stamp. 

NOTE : Details about this Lighthouse is available in my Post No.0113....

0114. Srilanka - Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse - Overprint #1

Srilanka Post commemorated the Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse by the release of 2.00 (LKR) postage stamp with Overprint of 2.50 (LKR) on 12-Feb-1997.  

This is the 1st one of the 4 Overprint(s) of  2.00 (LKR) Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse stamp. 

NOTE : Details about this Lighthouse is available in my Post No.0113....

0113. Srilanka - Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse

Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse is located on the Island of Srilanka.  The Lighthouse is located 6km South-East of the town of Matara.  The Lighthouse is surrounded by coconut trees, cooling grass and fresh breeze from Indian Ocean.

The Lighthouse was built during the British colonial period from 1796-1948.  It was designed by James Douglass in 1889 and constructed by William Douglass.  The Lighthouse marks the Southern most extremity of the Srilankan Island and it is the tallest lighthouse in Srilanka.

The name 'Dondra' is a synonym for Devi-Nuwara.  'Devi' meaning Gods and 'Nuwara' meaning City.  Thus, Dondra derived to mean 'City of the Gods'.  The Lighthouse is still active and it is maintained by the Srilankan Ports Authority.  The keeper's bungalow stands next to the tall structure. 

Srilanka Post commemorated the Devinuwara (Dondra) Lighthouse by the release of 2.00 (LKR) postage stamp on 22-Jan-1996 and 2.50 (LKR) postage stamp on 12-Feb-1997. 

Built in 1890, the Devinuwara Lighthouse:

• Tower is OCTAGONAL brick
• Tower has a lantern and gallery
• Tower painted WHITE
• Height is 49 meters
• Colour scheme of LIGHT is WHITE
• Light character is a FLASH every 5 seconds

0112. Srilanka - Great Basses Lighthouse

Great Basses Lighthouse is an off-shore Lighthouse in the South of Srilanka.  The Lighthouse is operated and maintained by the Srilanka Navy.  The Lighthouse is located on a reef 13km off the coast of Yala National Park, near Little Basses Reef Lighthouse.

The Great Basses Lighthouse is the most famous off-shore Lighthouse(s) of Asia.

The Lighthouse was designed by Alexander Gordon and James Nicholas Douglass.  In 2004, the Lighthouse withstood to Tsunami with modest damage. 

Srilanka Post commemorated the Great Basses Lighthouse by the release of 0.75 cents postage stamp on 22-Jan-1996. 

Built in 1873, the Great Basses Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND granite
• Tower has a lantern and double gallery
• Tower painted WHITE
• Height is 37 meters
• Colour scheme of LIGHT is WHITE
• Light character is a FLASH every 15 seconds
• Lighthouse is accessible only by boat

0111. Srilanka - Little Basses Lighthouse

Little Basses Lighthouse is an off-shore Lighthouse in the South of Srilanka.  The Lighthouse is located on a reef called Kuda Ravana Kotuwa.  The Lighthouse is named as Little Basses when British invaded Ceylon as the Lighthouse is in close proximity to Great Basses Reef Lighthouse.

These two Lighthouse(s), the Great Basses Lighthouse and Little Basses Lighthouse are among the most famous off-shore Lighthouse(s) of Asia.

The Lighthouse was designed by James Nicholas Douglass and built by William Douglass.  In 2004, the Lighthouse withstood to Tsunami with modest damage. 

Srilanka Post commemorated the Little Basses Lighthouse by the release of 0.50 cents postage stamp on 22-Jan-1996. 

Built in 1878, the Little Basses Lighthouse:

• Tower is ROUND granite
• Tower has a lantern and double gallery
• Tower painted WHITE with a BLACK HORIZONTAL band
• Height is 37 meters
• Colour scheme of LIGHT is WHITE
• Light character is 2 (two) quick FLASHES every 10 seconds
• Lighthouse is accessible only by boat