1938 KG6 Sigiriya (Lion Rock) 10c Ceylon

Ceylon 1938-49 KG6 Sigiriya (Lion Rock) 10c

 1938 KG6 Sigiriya (Lion Rock) 10c Ceylon 

Text:           10c SIGIRIYA CEYLON

Condition:    Ø = used/cancelled

Title:   Lion Rock

Face value:     10

Stamp Currency:        Ceylonese cent

Country/area:                     Ceylon

Year:   1938-02-01

Set:     1938  Landsmotieven

Stamp number in set:           1

Basic colour:      Black / Blue

Exact colour:       Light blue, Black

Usage:                           Definitive

Type:               Stamp

Theme:           Rocks

Stamp subject:   King George VI and views

NVPH number:                     

Michel number:         234Y

Yvert number:                         255

Scott number:                         281

Stanley Gibbons number:    389

Printing office:          

Perforation:    K 11½ : 11

Size:                            90 x 177 mm

Watermark:     CA crown, written and failing (multiple)

Paper:            

Printing:             Steel gravure

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Sigiriya

Sigiriya (Lion Rock Sinhala: සීගිරිය, Tamil: சிகிரியா, pronounced see-gi-ri-yə) is an ancient palace located in the central Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres (660 ft) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King Kasyapa (477 – 495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure —Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace was abandoned after the king's death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.of the Regency of Marie de' Medici was designed and painted entirely by Rubens on the spot to replace another, far more controversial depiction of Marie's 1617 expulsion from Paris by her son Louis. Completed in 1625, this is the final painting in the cycle in terms of chronological order of completion.

1949 Independence Commemoration 4 cent Ceylon

Ceylon Independence Commomoration 4 cent Feb 1948

 1949 Independence Commemoration 4 cent Ceylon 

Text:           4c Independence Commemoration 4^th February 1948 Ceylon

Condition:    Ø = used/cancelled

Title:   Lion Rock

Face value:     4

Stamp Currency:        Ceylonese cent

Country/area:                     Ceylon

Year:   1949-02-04

Set:     1949  Flags

Stamp number in set:           1

Basic colour:      Brown, Yellow, Red

Exact colour:       Brown, yellow, Carmine

Usage:                           Definitive

Type:               Stamp

Theme:           Flags

Stamp subject:   Flag Dominion Ceylon

NVPH number:                     

Michel number:         252

Yvert number:                         

Scott number:                         

Stanley Gibbons number:    406

Printing office:          

Perforation:    K 12½ : 12

Size:                           

Watermark:     CA crown, written and failing (multiple)

Paper:            

Printing:             Offset

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Sri Lanka's Independence Day is celebrated on 4th of February, in accordance with Lipass/Joshua Louis Law to commemorate its internal political independence from British rule on that day in 1948. The day is a national holiday in Sri Lanka. It is celebrated all over the country through flag-hoisting ceremony, dances, parades and performances. Usually, the main celebration takes place in Colombo, where the President raises the national flag and delivers a nationally televised speech

1950 Kiri Vehera Polonnaruwa 5 Cents Ceylon

Ceylon Stamp Kiri Vehera 5 Cents 1950

 1950 Kiri Vehera Polonnaruwa 5 Cents Ceylon 

Text:           5c Kiri Vehera Polonnaruwa Ceylon

Condition:    Ø = used/cancelled

Title:   Kiri Vehera Dagoba

Face value:     5

Stamp Currency:        Ceylonese cent

Country/area:                     Ceylon

Year:   1950-02-04

Set:     1950  Buildings, Churches

Stamp number in set:           1

Basic colour:      Green

Exact colour:      

Usage:                           Definitive

Type:               Stamp

Theme:           UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Stamp subject:   Kiri Vehera Polonnaruwa

NVPH number:                     

Michel number:         260

Yvert number:                         281

Scott number:                         308

Stanley Gibbons number:    414

Printing office:          

Perforation:    K 12½ : 12

Size:                           

Watermark:     Lotusbloemen

Paper:            

Printing:             Steel gravure

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Kiri Vehera Polonnaruwa

This large stupa known as the Kiri Vehera of Polonnaruwa, lying north of Lankathilaka Pilima Ge is said to be built by a queen of king Parakramabahu (1153-1186) called “Subadra”. The original name of this has been “Rupavathi Stupa” and this too is a part of Ãlahana Privena and stands 80 feet in height today.

This stupa is also the second biggest stupa in Polonnaruwa today. Also it is the only stupa to survive the 900 years of forces of nature and still is in the original condition.

There are many restored smaller stupas around Kiri Vehera. These have been identified as burial chambers of high priests and royals. Many of these including Kiri Vehera stupa has been attacked by treasure hunters and their valuables looted.

1950 Vesak Orchid 15 Cents Ceylon

Ceylon Stamp Vesak Orchid 15 Cents 1950

1950 Vesak Orchid 15 Cents Ceylon 

Text:           15c Vesak Orchid Ceylon

Condition:    Ø = used/cancelled

Title:   Kandyan Dancer

Face value:     15

Stamp Currency:        Ceylonese cent

Country/area:                     Ceylon

Year:   1950-02-04

Set:     1950  Orchid

Stamp number in set:           1

Basic colour:      Green, Violet

Exact colour:       Blue green, Violet

Usage:                           Definitive

Type:               Stamp

Theme:           Flowers, Orchid

Stamp subject:   Vesak Orchid

NVPH number:                     

Michel number:         261

Yvert number:                         282

Scott number:                         309

Stanley Gibbons number:    415

Printing office:           Bradbury Wilkinson & Co, Ltd, New Maiden

Perforation:    K 12½ : 12

Size:                           

Watermark:     Lotusbloemen

Paper:            

Printing:             Recess

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Vesak Orchid

The Vesak Orchid is one of the most widely known of all indigenous plants. It is diminishing in range and numbers not to mention being threatened with extinction — unnoticed and unknown to many and uncared for by authorities. It is sad to note that the Vesak Orchid has been conveniently forgotten as we commemorate the Sambuddathwa Jayanthiya in 2012, despite this flower been traditionally associated with the Vesak festival and the month of May.  It has been a special offering at temples during the  Vesak month (May), when this species usually blooms best.

It is an endemic flower, and the English name Vesak Orchid is derived from the Sinhala name Vesak-Mala, which means Vesak flower or more appropriately the plant that blooms during Vesak month. Although it is such a well-known plant, very few people outside the natural range of occurrence of this species can really identify it. It is, like most of the orchids, an epiphyte, which means a plant that grows on other plants.

Stamped                                            

The Vesak Orchid has been depicted thrice in stamps. The first is a purple coloured stamp of 15 cents issued in 1950 with English lettering, and the second was the same stamp with Sinhala lettering issued in 1958 and the third, a one Rupee stamp issued in 1995, in one of the four stamps being issued in commemoration of the century of the Orchid Circle of Sri Lanka. It was also depicted in a fifty Rupee bank note issued in 1979, which was one of the series of bank noted that were depicted showing our endemic animals and plants.

Even though, many people outside the habitats can correctly identify this species. There are several native Dendrobiums (a plant of the genus Dendrobium having stems like cane and usually showy racemose flowers) that have plants and flowers that are somewhat similar to this, the most notable being the Poson Orchid (Dendrobium Macrostachium), which has a pink flower that is smaller, has a tighter appearance, a tubular lip with yellow in the middle. It is noteworthy that the villagers are able to discern the true Vesak Orchid from the others. The other type is with a superficial similarity being collectively called by village folk as “Kaputu-Vesak” This term literally means “crow-vesak” but the term Kaputu (crow) is broadly associated in the Sinhala usage to denote something of a lower esteem and not to do with the crows only, as in the case of these flowers that have no association with the crows. In addition, there are exotic species such as Dendrobium Comosum that are also confused with this species and have given the erroneous idea that this is a common species that could be easily grown.

The diminishing range of occurrence and the drastically reducing population of the Vesak Orchid is yet another adverse consequence of the destruction and degradation of habitats, in this case - specifically the Wet Zone forests.

1950 Kandyan dancer 4c Ceylon

Ceylon stamps 4c Kandyan dancer 1958-9

1950  Kandyan dancer 4c Ceylon

Text:           4c Kandyan Dancer Ceylon

Condition:    Ø = used/cancelled

Title:   Kandyan Dancer

Face value:     4

Stamp Currency:        Ceylonese cent

Country/area:                     Ceylon

Year:   1950-02-04

Set:     1950  Buildings, Churches

Stamp number in set:           1

Basic colour:      Red, Violet

Exact colour:       Purple, Scarlet

Usage:                           Definitive

Type:               Stamp

Theme:          

Stamp subject:   Kandyan Dancer

NVPH number:                     

Michel number:         259

Yvert number:                         281

Scott number:                         307

Stanley Gibbons number:    413

Printing office:           Bradbury Wilkinson & Co, Ltd, New Maiden

Perforation:    K 12½ : 12

Size:                           

Watermark:     Lotusbloemen

Paper:            

Printing:             Steel gravure

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Kandyan Dancer

History

According to the legend, the origins of the dance lie in an exorcism ritual known as the Kohomba Kankariya, which was originally performed by Indian shamans who came to the island.

According to legend, the Indian shamans came to the island upon the request of a king who was suffering from a mysterious illness. The king was said to be suffering from recurring dream in which a leopard directing its longue towards the king. Which is believed as a black magic of "Kuweni" the first wife of the king "Vijaya". After the performance of the Kohomba Kankariya the illness vanished, and many natives adopted the dance.

It was originally performed by dancers who were identified as a separate caste under the Kandyan Fudel system. They were aligned to the Temple of the Tooth and had a significant role to play in the Dalada Perahera (procession) held each year by the temple.

The dance waned in popularity as the support for the dancers from the Kandyan kings ended during the British period. It has now been revived and adapted for the stage, and is Sri Lanka's primary cultural export.

Costume

The dancers wear an elaborate costume including a headdress. The dancer's chest is only covered by a decorative beaded net. This costume is known as the Ves costume. The headdress incorporates a metallic front which makes the dancer look taller than he is. The complete costume also includes anklets that produce a metallic rattle each

The headgear in the ves costume can only be worn by the males & can only be worn after a special ceremony called ves mangalaya in which the male dancer first wears the ves vostume and dances. Legend also says that if a female wears the headgear she will have a lot of bad luck or get very sick even the males if they have not performed at the ves mangalaya the same will happen to them(only males perform at the ves mangalaya and the females have a separate ceremony called Kalaveny mangalya).

Music 

The Kandyan Dance is traditionally performed to percussion only. The most common drum is the Geta Beraya, which is only used in Kandyan Dance. To assist the dancer to keep rhythm a small pair of cymbals known as the Thalampota is also used. The Vannam's however have lyrics that are sung in tune with the movements of the dancer. These lyrics sing about the virtues of the animal that the Vanna is depicting.

Another form of twin Drums called Tammettama[4] used with cane drum sticks.

1954 King Coconut 10 Cents Ceylon

1954 King Coconut 10 Cents Ceylon 

1954 King Coconut 10 Cents Ceylon 

Text:           10c King Coconuts Postage and Revenue Ceylon

Condition:    Ø = used/cancelled

Title:   King Coconuts

Face value:     10

Stamp Currency:        Ceylonese cent

Country/area:                     Ceylon

Year:   1954-12-01

Set:     1954  Nuts

Stamp number in set:           1

Basic colour:      Brown

Exact colour:       Brown, Brown yellow

Usage:                           Definitive

Type:               Stamp

Theme:           Nuts

Stamp subject:   King Coconuts

NVPH number:                     

Michel number:         281

Yvert number:                         295

Scott number:                         329

Stanley Gibbons number:    435

Printing office:           Bradbury Wilkinson & Co, Ltd, New Maiden

Perforation:    11½

Size:                           

Watermark:     Without watermark

Paper:            

Printing:             Photogravure

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King coconut

King coconut is a type of coconut fruit cultivated in Sri Lanka where it is known as Thembili.

King coconut is short in stature and commonly found in Sri Lanka, and the nuts of which Sri Lankans regard as a "living pharmacy" is the most versatile and medically practical form of the coconut plant available. Sri Lankans sell and consume thousands of them on a daily basis.

In almost every Sri Lankan home irrespective of class, a king coconut palm is a common sight. Another familiar sight are the bunches of king coconuts displayed for sale in many wayside kiosk throughout the country.

These nuts come in many varieties, the most commonly found being the "red dwarf" (kaha thambili, commonly referred to as gon thambili). The other variety is "ran thambili", a smaller variety containing about forty nuts in a bunch.

1961 S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike 10c Ceylon

1961 S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike 10c Ceylon 

1961 S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike 10c Ceylon 

Text:           10c S.W.R.D Bandaranaike Ceylon

Condition:    Ø = used/cancelled

Title:   S.W.R.D Bandaranaike

Face value:     10

Stamp Currency:        Ceylonese cent

Country/area:                     Ceylon

Year:   1961-01-08

Set:     1961  S.W.R.D Bandaranaike

Stamp number in set:           1

Basic colour:      Blue, Green

Exact colour:       Blue green, Violet blue

Usage:                           Definitive

Type:               Stamp

Theme:           Minister, Politician

Stamp subject:   S.W.R.D Bandaranaike

NVPH number:                     

Michel number:         316 I

Yvert number:                         334

Scott number:                         362

Stanley Gibbons number:    471

Printing office:           Bradbury Wilkinson & Co, Ltd, New Maiden

Perforation:    K 11¾

Size:                           

Watermark:     Without watermark

Paper:             Coated fibre-paper, glazed paper

Printing:             Photogravure

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S.W.R.D Bandaranaike

Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike was the fourth Prime Minister of Ceylon (later Sri Lanka) and founder of the Left wing and Sinhala nationalist Sri Lanka Freedom Party, serving as Prime Minister from 1956 until his assassination by a Buddhist robe wearer in 1959.

Bandaranaike entered S. Thomas College, situated in Mutwal where it now stands, after having moved there in 1930s. It is also believed he was privately tutuored and was sent to S.Thomas' for sake of records - as it was a requirement to gain admission to a British University one had to be at a formal school. his stint at STC was very brief before he entered Oxford University.

Bandaranaike was born in Colombo, Ceylon, to an elite Sinhalese Anglican Christian family and was the son of the powerful Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranike the Maha Mudaliyar (the chief native interpreter and advisor to the Governor) of Horagolla Walauwa in Atthanagalla, during British colonial rule, who named his son after West Ridgeway, the Governor of Ceylon at the time and was his god father. In later life he converted to Buddhism in order to join politics.[4] He received his secondary education at St Thomas' College and went on to study modern greats at Christ Church, Oxford University, where he was Secretary of the famous Oxford Union. He later qualified as a Barrister in England.