The mélange of Kirula Road – an entrance to Sri Lanka

The two hues of grey present in the sky are beautifully illustrated on puddles of muddy water. The shades vary from light to dark depending on where I stand on the busy road. Tree branches are reflected too in the omnipresent puddles. We would not be able to see the reflections if light were not present. Whilst walking down Kirula Road, I see so many sights infused with colours and it comes as inspiration to me.

The tail lights on vehicles serve to provide red and orange flecks of water whilst whizzing past us. The concoction of colours amongst shop boards is everywhere and so bright that they hurt my eyes. I find the unfamiliar sunlight creeping through wet leaves on the little island near Asiri Hospital. The single fir tree towering against all the other trees against the backdrop of the monotonous sky makes a striking presence on the camera screen I’m holding in my hand.

I see little flecks of water on telephone booths and the windows of parked cars. Similarly, I see droplets of water rolling down leaves on trees and falling on my friend who is wearing a T-shirt of the brightest shade of pink I’ve ever seen. People eating inside tiny shops stop chewing and stare at us while we walk on the road. The neon lights inside the shops stop and make me click incessantly until I am satisfied with the perfect shot. A single light bulb flickering inside a deserted shop stands out among a bunch of red, green and vivid blue trishaws parked outside it.

The thunder-like light emitted from iron being welded inside Rannimi Welding is breathtaking and the smoke from it towers over the workers. Another fir tree sees its reflection on a mirrored building, its windows discoloured by acid rain. So, the reflection does not appear to be very clear. The tedious sky pales in comparison with the yellow and blue of the all-too-familiar Perera & Sons Bakery infused with the bright pink raincoat on a child tugging on her mother’s hand and pointing to an éclair.