Blog Archives

Book Review: Ruins by Rajith Savanadasa Source:Brisbane 4EB Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – October 2021     Australian-Sri Lankan writer, Rajith Savanadasa’s beautifully crafted debut novel “Ruins” is centred around the Herath family. Ruins is loosely based on the Sandakada Pahana with its circular bands, one of which contains a procession of animals, each representing a stage of life: the elephant (birth), the bull (decay), the lion (disease) and the horse (death). In another band is the swan, representing discernment between good and evil. At the centre of these circles is the lotus, representing enlightenment. Each character represents a symbol on the Sandakada Pahana. They are all discontented with their lives and yearning for more, each ontheir own journey from one state of being to the next. Latha’s brother wants her to return to their village but what will she do there? Latha has been at Mano Mahaththaya and ...