HelaCey Tours

25/01/2025

JAFFNA FORT
This was constructed in 1619 by the Portuguese as a 4-sided garrison,with rampart,corner bastions and moat. After that in 1658, the Dutch captured it and
expanded it to a Pentagon shaped with lime stones and coral stones-inner fortifications with rampart,corner bastions and star shaped moat. The Dutch Fort
occupies 62 acres of land. Its base was 40 feet width; and it has a slope of 20 feet width paraphet walls. There were five ramparts, artillery fortification, a
protestant church, a prison, Queen's place, administrative garrisons and 21 dug wells. There are 3 draw bridges between the outer fortifications and the
inner fort in the moats. It's a distinctive Dutch architectural site in South East Asia. Afterwards in 1795, the British captured the Dutch Fort and made few
renovations and used as their administrative garrison.

21/01/2025

Sri Lanka, known for its rich cultural heritage, attracts many tourists with its ancient temples, historic cities, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visitors explore landmarks such as the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, and the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, immersing themselves in the island's history and traditions. !!

07/01/2025

Sri Lanka is home to several species of small wild cats, each with unique characteristics and habitats. Here are the primary small wild cats found on the island !

04/01/2025

"Leopards roaming freely through the wilderness of Wilpattu National Park."

01/01/2025

Historical buildings and structures in Colombo, Sri Lanka, that were constructed during the British colonial period. !!

30/12/2024

"Grateful for such kind words from a wonderful client! 🙏🏼"

29/12/2024

26/12/2024

THE STORY OF CEYLON TEA
JAMES TAYLOR
MARCH 29, 1835 - MAY 2, 1892
TEA CAME TO SRI LANKA WHEN THE FIRST TEA
BUSH WAS PLANTED IN 1867 BY JAMES TAYLOR,
A YOUNG SCOTSMAN ON LOOLECONDERA
ESTATE IN HEWAHATA. AT THAT TIME, COFFEE
WAS GROWN ON MOST PLANTATIONS IN THE
HILL COUNTRY. WHEN THE COFFEE TREES
WERE DESTROYED BY A FUNGUS, TEA BECAME
AN ALTERNATIVE CROP TO GROW. OVER A
PERIOD OF 5 YEARS. JAMES TAYLOR PLANTED
10 ACRES OF TEA FROM ASSAM SEED ON
LOOLECONDERA ESTATE. IT WAS A LONG
PROCESS OF TRIAL AND ERROR. JAMES
CONSULTED WITH PEOPLE OF EXPERIENCE: A
NORTH INDIAN PLANTER NAMED MR. NOBLE
WHO TAUGHT HIM HOW TO PLUCK, WITHER
AND ROLL TEA LEAVES, AN OLD ASSAM
PLANTER, W.J. JENKINS WHO DIRECTED JAMES
IN THE PREPARATION OF TEA SAMPLES AND
YET ANOTHER ASSAM PLANTER, MR BAKER
WHO TAUGHT HIM THE FINER POINTS OF
PRUNING TEA BUSHES. TAYLOR BELIEVED IN
"FINER PICKING" WHICH INCREASED THE
SELLING PRICE OF TEA AS WELL AS THE
SELLING PRICE PER ACRE.
THE FIRST SHIPMENT OF CEYLON TEA COMPRISING 23 POUNDS IN TWO
SMALL PACKS WAS SENT TO THE LONDON TEA AUCTIONS IN 1872. THE VALUE
OF THE SHIPMENT WAS 58 RUPEES. JAMES TAYLOR PUT HIS HEART AND SOUL
INTO CULTIVATING TEA. HE NEVER MARRIED AND ONLY ONCE, DURING THE
FORTY YEARS HE SPENT IN SRI LANKA, HE TOOK A HOLIDAY AND SPENT IT
STUDYING TEA IN DARJEELING. TAYLOR DIED OF DYSENTERY IN SRI LANKA IN
1892 AT THE AGE OF 57. HIS PIONEERING CONTRIBUTION TO THIS ISLAND'S
TEA INDUSTRY IS COMMEMORATED ON A BRONZE TABLET AT THE CEYLON
PLANTERS' ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS IN COLOMBO, ALONG WITH OTHER
PIONEERS OF SRI LANKA'S PLANTATION INDUSTRIES, GEORGE BIRD AND
HENRY WICKHAM WHO HELPED BUILD THE COUNTRY'S COFFEE AND RUBBER
INDUSTRIES RESPECTIVELY.

26/12/2024

A breathtaking panorama unfolds over the serene waters of the Kotmale Reservoir, where nature's beauty meets tranquil splendor. Sri Lanka!