ANCIENT MYSTERIES – by Bernard VanCuylenburg When I peruse the Mahavamsa and the Culavamsa priceless records that documents ancient Ceylon’s cultural heritage, it marinates my soul in the grandeur  of the island’s rich civilization that is almost legendary. In art, architecture, hydraulic engineering, hydrology and irrigation/ water management, ancient Lanka is on par with the classic civilizations of imperial Greece and Rome, the great Aztec and Mayan civilizations of Central America, and that of the Incas in Peru.  And, as in all great records of a country’s history, many questions remain unanswered which will to us forever remain tantalizing mysteries. In this article I will deal with two, one of which I experienced personally, over thirty five years ago.    THE MYSTERY OF THE MALIGAWILA  BUDDHA. A few miles from Monaragala lies the village of Maligawila.  At least it was a village when I visited it many years ago. I have ...

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