David Graham … a Comment which the Editor considers worthy of Individuated Airing
Interesting post — [that by Stefan d’Silva on “Legend and Mystery in Kumana National Park” ]. Didn’t hear about the nittaewo until one of the wildlife trackers told me about them on a trip in Kumana in 2014. My dad took my brother and me on big game hunts for wild boar in Okande in August 1963 and April 1964. Dad’s friend Dr. Guy Paranavitharne and his three sons were among the hunting party. Also along were my dad’s childhood friend Dr. Rajah Beddewela and Dr. Guy’s cousin Claude Abeywardena and his two sons.
editors’ addition from www.thedailybeast.com
ADDENDUM TWO, two days later: The first thing I should have asked our drivers before we headed into Kumana National Park was,”Have you guys ever done this before?” Clearly, neither one had. And yes, we had two drivers: the first guy was the one who drove us from Arugam Bay to Panama in his three-wheeler scooter taxi, and the second guy was the one who drove us from Panama to Okande and Kumana in his jeep. They were both highly excitable, jumping out of the jeep with a clatter of doors as soon as they spotted an animal. Finally had to threaten to physically restrain them if they didn’t quit doing that. Both sat upfront (my bro and I and the guide from the wildlife department were in back) and between them they managed to startle a leopard and spook a small herd of elephants.

I am all for hunting Wild Boar, but not any other. Wild Boar is a menace specially to the cultivator. They also multiply so fast. The strange thing is that the law allows you to kill it, but not transport.
I am reading this article 5 years after it was published. Correction – Dr. Guy Paranavitana had four sons and I was the youngest. David (the author) and his brother Tony Graham were about my age, and I remember them well. It was a fantastic trip, never to be repeated. In later years I became a tea planter and visited Oakanda and Kumana about 38 years ago when I was planting in Nanu Oya. It is in my ‘to do’ list to visit these places again on my next visit to Sri Lanka. I now live in the USA and my life and experiences in Sri Lanka are what defines me.