The air is crisp and nippy and the stillness that engulfs the area will certainly make any passer-by ponder on the splendour of nature. Slightly away from the Hatton-Norwood Road, standing sentinel with a solemn air on a steep hill with a sweeping view of the vast expanse of the still-waters of the Castlereigh reservoir below shimmering in the morning sunlight and the green carpet of tea along its adjacent slopes, is the Anglican Christ Church of Warleigh, Dick Oya.

It’s now or never – protect Sri Lanka’s National Parks or the consequences will be disastrous. This is the message being given loud and clear by none other than a person whose wildlife photograph (No. 6054) has been shortlisted for the National Geographic 2011 Photo Competition.