Sri Lanka Mona Lisa

The young man who looked after the guest house where we stayed in the hill country town of Ella showed me the jigsaw he had just completed. It was of the Mona Lisa, although sadly one piece was missing. I asked him if he knew about the Mona Lisa and he knew nothing. Nothing of its cultural significance, not its name, who painted it and where it hangs. Nothing. Not surprising really given that I know nothing about the 13th century Buddha figures found in abundance in many of the spectacular and ancient Sri Lankan temples. Perhaps in this age of instant and all embracing communication we will begin to better understand the symbols and beliefs of other cultures.