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At the Thalangama lake, near Colombo, like across Sri Lanka, we can observe every week traditional spiritual rituals, or at least their remains if performed in the night, privately within the family circle. What can be found the next morning are offerings of food and other items placed on beautifully designed trays made from sticks, banana leaves, coconut coir, etc. These offerings are commonly placed at three-way junctions. Among the objects found regularly on or near the trays of banana leaves are plates with cooked food, sweets, a diversity of fruits, coconuts, but also coins, a drinking cup, clothes, a pillow and mattress, a comb with mirror and hair, small bottles and other symbolic items - clearly all with a deeper meaning. Also commonly observed are sets of containers, each with an egg inside, which are thrown into a stream or water canal - possibly as part of a ritual to trap and seal spirits, symbolizing their irreversible exile to prevent return. Another observation concerns large numbers of cut lemons thrown in the lake or canal. While these rituals are performed privately (although in part with loud drumming) other rituals at the lake are public events, such as the water cutting ceremony.

Please read the here attached pdf file which explores a few of these traditions in our vicinity for those interested in the cultural and symbolic meanings behind these practices.