We arrived on April 25, 2008 unaware that a couple of hours earlier a bombing of a commuter bus was carried out in Piliyandala, Sri Lanka, a suburb of Colombo. Soldiers with guns and maximum security were everywhere when we arrived. Sombre reminder that the country is in conflict.

The atmosphere of a small fishing village Negombo near Colombo has gone back to normal, everyday life. When the tsunami hit on Dec 26, 2004 inundating everything in its path, Sri Lanka was one of the hardest-hit countries. An estimated 35,000 Sri Lankans died. More than 500,000 were displaced.
My experience here is short. I cannot stay longer due to my scheduled travel further east, but promise myself to come back again one day.

Negombo Sri Lanka Soldiers with a rifle

Negombo Sri Lanka (aldona kmiec, Aldona Kmiec/Aldona Kmiec Photographer)
Negombo Sri Lanka

A Sri Lankan woman (Aldona Kmiec)

Drying fish Negombo Sri Lanka. Negombo is a small town which is situated in Ja-Ela divisional secretariat in Gampaha District of the Western Province of Sri Lanka. It is approximately 30 kilometers north of Colombo, capital of in Sri Lanka. This coastal wet land is 6,232 ha in extent and is populated by almost 65,000. It is located at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon which is just 10 kilometers away from the international airport. Negombo Beach is also a fisherman's paradise. It is a traditional fishing town of Sri Lanka. Fishing is carried out on an elaborate scale in Negombo. In some of the beaches, you will get to see the fishermen preparing themselves to set sail for new ventures. Here you will see some old fishing implements including the outrigger canoes and the sailboats. You can also see some of them returning with a boat full of fresh catch. It is on the Negombo Beach where you are most likely to catch up a glimpse of some of the rare, unique and typical sea fish. (Aldona Kmiec)
Drying fish Negombo Sri Lanka. Negombo is a small town which is situated in Ja-Ela divisional secretariat in Gampaha District of the Western Province of Sri Lanka. It is approximately 30 kilometers north of Colombo, capital of in Sri Lanka. This coastal wet land is 6,232 ha in extent and is populated by almost 65,000. It is located at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon which is just 10 kilometers away from the international airport. Negombo Beach is also a fisherman’s paradise. It is a traditional fishing town of Sri Lanka. Fishing is carried out on an elaborate scale in Negombo. In some of the beaches, you will get to see the fishermen preparing themselves to set sail for new ventures. Here you will see some old fishing implements including the outrigger canoes and the sailboats. You can also see some of them returning with a boat full of fresh catch. It is on the Negombo Beach where you are most likely to catch up a glimpse of some of the rare, unique and typical sea fish. Photo: Aldona Kmiec
Negombo Sri Lanka (aldona kmiec, Aldona Kmiec/Aldona Kmiec Photographer)
Negombo beach Sri Lanka Photo: Aldona Kmiec
Fishermen organize their fish to dry in nets on the beach in Negombo, Sri Lanka (Aldona Kmiec)
Fishermen organize their fish to dry in nets on the beach in Negombo, Sri Lanka (Aldona Kmiec)
Fishermen organize their fish to dry in nets on the beach in Negombo, Sri Lanka (Aldona Kmiec)
Fishermen organize their fish to dry in nets on the beach in Negombo, Sri Lanka Photo: Aldona Kmiec
Drying Salmon fields in Negombo Sri Lanka Photo: Aldona Kmiec
Drying Salmon fields in Negombo Photo: Aldona Kmiec
Fishermen cleaning fishing nets in Negombo Sri Lanka
Fishermen cleaning the fishing nets in Negombo Sri Lanka Photo: Aldona Kmiec
Buddist Temple water reflection in Negombo Sri Lanka Photo: Aldona Kmiec
Buddist Templereflection in Negombo Sri Lanka Photo: Aldona Kmiec
Frescoes in the Buddist Temple in Negombo Sri Lanka Photo: Aldona Kmiec
Frescoes in the Buddist Temple in Negombo Sri Lanka Photo: Aldona Kmiec
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Buddhist temple, Negombo Sri Lanka Photo: Aldona Kmiec
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Buddhist temple, Negombo Sri Lanka Photo: Aldona Kmiec
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Buddhist temple, Negombo Sri Lanka Photo: Aldona Kmiec
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Buddhist temple, Negombo Sri Lanka Photo: Aldona Kmiec
Monks Feet Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Buddhist temple, Negombo Sri Lanka Photo: Aldona Kmiec
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Buddhist temple, Negombo Sri Lanka Photo: Aldona Kmiec