This year, the Trinity College Wildlife Society turned its sights northward, embarking on an expedition from the central hills of Kandy to the wilderness of Jaffna.
Arriving early on the morning of August 12, the young wildlife enthusiasts were ready for the adventure ahead. Their journey began with a moment of reverence as they received blessings at the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura before continuing the long road north. By midday, a stop at a circuit bungalow in Kilinochchi provided a welcome pause to refuel with a meal and rest. Re-energised, the group pushed forward, crossing the iconic Sangupiddi Bridge into Jaffna. While everyone expected the weather to be quite hot, coping with the arid conditions of the North was not easy. Thankfully, the bus had plenty of air conditioning to keep everyone cool.
The afternoon took on a historical tone as the team paid tribute to Sri Lanka’s fallen heroes, learning about the legacy of Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa at his memorial on Kayts Island. They also visited the historical precincts of Dambakola Patuna, where Theri Sangamitta is said to have first set foot on the island in the 3rd century BC with a sapling of the sacred Bo Tree. The day concluded with a stroll through the historic ramparts of Jaffna Fort.
Day two proved to be action-packed from the start. The morning was spent exploring the rich ecosystem of the Chundikulam Sanctuary under the guidance of Mr Sasikaran of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society and Mr Kajjan of the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka. The boys scouted the terrain, capturing wildlife photographs before relaxing over refreshments at the Chundikulam Army Resort. While it initially seemed as though the day’s main activities had drawn to a close, nature had one more surprise in store.
On the return trip, a sudden sighting of a distant flock of flamingos near Thondaman Aru Lake sparked an impromptu trek through the wilderness. Pushing through thick brush, dried-up lakebeds and sticky mud, the team crawled close to the water’s edge to witness dozens of flamingos standing in the water and murmuring quietly. Though exhausting, the detour yielded memorable photographs and an unforgettable high note to end the day. The members enjoyed each other’s company before finally going to sleep.
The final day marked a bittersweet farewell to Jaffna as the expedition turned south towards Minneriya for an evening jungle safari. Unforeseen delays along the route pushed their arrival into the late afternoon, casting doubt on whether the safari would take place before dusk. However, the safari jeep drivers quickly took charge, navigating the dusty tracks to make the most of the remaining daylight. Their efforts were rewarded on the open grass plains, where a magnificent herd of elephants had gathered along the lake, standing quietly against the evening landscape.
Though unpredictable challenges arose along the way, the shared experiences, rare wildlife sightings and camaraderie made the journey a memorable one for every young naturalist involved.
We are grateful to the Principal, Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundra OSB, Vice Principal Mr Krishanthan Anthonydas and Mr Wasana Dissanayake, Director of the Co-Curricular Enrichment Initiative, for enabling us to embark on this expedition.
Reviewed by Master Prawana Dissanayake
