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THE SECRET OF THE SANDS – by Bernard VanCuylenburg Epilogue. Pursuant to the articles which I wrote last year, “An Odyssey – A Search for Heritage, parts 1 and 2 “) following a foray into the cornucopia of ruins buried in deep jungle well off the beaten track, I embarked on a similar venture in March this year. I am passionately moved by the treasure trove of what could be the best in ancient Sinhala civilization, possibly the life force of Sinhala culture which remains buried in the sands still awaiting the archaeologists spade, and I wish to share my experience with a wider circle of lovers of history. Parting the veil of time, an unknown sculptor, architect, engineer, master craftsman, even a poet, reached out to me and held my hand leading me across the centuries in my quest. I read somewhere that “Quotations are thefts of other peoples wisdom.” ...

Apr 10, 2024 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Bernard VanCuylenburg Tagged ancient ruins, ancient Sinhala civilization, ancient Sri Lankan architecture, archaeological sites in Sri Lanka, Bernard VanCuylenburg, Buduruwayaya, Cultural heritage, Degaldoruwa Temple, Dr. Senerat Paranavitana, Embekka Dewalaya, Historical sites in Sri Lanka, Kimbulagala, King Dutugemunu, King Kasyappa, Lankathilaka Vihara, Mapagala, Panduwasnuwara, Ridi Vihara, SIGIRIYA, Sri Lankan archaeology, Sri Lankan folklore, Sri Lankan giants, Sri Lankan history, Sri Lankan landmarks, THE SECRET OF THE SANDS, Tourism in Sri Lanka, treasure hunting in Sri Lanka

The forgotten history of slavery in Sri Lanka – by Tamara Fernando Jesus – College Cambridge 5 September, 2021 Source: sundayobserver The names Vijayabhahu, Dutugamunu and S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike are likely more familiar to the student of Sri Lankan history than Kedoe, Selestina and Cander Wayreven. Who were these three, and why are their life histories not better known? For one thing, all of them were slaves. The 23-year-old Kedoe was brutally executed for the murder of a Dutch official named Barent van der Swann and his wife in 1723 (as punishment, Kedoe was quartered and drawn up outside the walls of the Pettah), Selestina was tried in court for killing her new-born baby (the child may have resulted from rape by her master) in Colombo in 1820 and Wayreven was flogged eighteen lashes for travelling in the palanquin of his owner in Jaffna in 1819. In the early 19th century, ...

Jul 8, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Dutch, Slavery in Lanka, Sri Lankan, Sri Lankan history

Multiculturalism: Pathway to Acceptance – By Randika Jayakody & Jerome Perera Image Source : austin.thinkbilingual Image Source : Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – December 2022 Multiculturalism is a journey of mixing cultural, linguistic, ethnic and gastronomic features over time. Over tens of thousands of years through settlement, colonialism and trade, Sri Lanka has travelled this journey and the multiculturalism within the island continues to evolve through intermixing. Acknowledgement of multiculturalism can start with being incorporated into the education system to inspire children to become comfortable with these ideas. Like Australia, Sri Lanka could acknowledge the commencement of its history from the indigenous community in Sri Lanka, the Wanniyala Aetto to redress their exclusion from the national narrative. Reforming teaching of Sri Lankan history to incorporate the role and contributions of all ethnic and cultural groups and emphasising the contributions made by all communities to the island’s cultural identity is also ...

Nov 30, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged cultural, multiculturalism, Sri Lankan history

Somawathiya the Buddhist Oasis of Polonnaruwa – By Deshan Josep Source : dailynews The Buddhist history of Sri Lanka is fascinating. Today I am writing about one of the most important spiritual sites in the domain of Buddhism. I first visited Somawathiya Chaitya as a child, and had limited understanding of its religious significance. On my second visit I was able to witness the beautiful aura around this magnificent Buddhist edifice and was impressed by the faith of hundreds of pilgrims gathered here. Before we talk about this awe inspiring stupa which is nestled in the dense wilderness, we must pause to appreciate the political and cultural importance of the once glorious kingdom of Polonnaruwa in ancient Sri Lanka. It is recorded that Polonnaruwa was a great city which came into prominence during its brief period of 2 centuries in Sri Lankan history, being second only to the regal city of Anuradhapura ...

Aug 12, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Buddhist history of Sri Lanka, King Nissankamalla, Polonnaruwa, Somawathiya, Somawathiya Chaitya, Sri Lankan history

Banana: the everyday super fruit-by Randima Attygalle Source:Island Be it visiting loved ones for the new year or on any other occasion, taking a comb of bananas along is a time-honoured practice among Lankans. We are not alone in our love for this delectable fruit relished over centuries by mankind and herbivorous animals alike. One of the most widely grown fruit crops in the world, banana occupies a top place in the fresh fruit trade, second only to orange. Banana (Musa spp.) is native to South Asia and Western Pacific Region. The wild ancestors of cultivated banana Musa acuminate Colla and Musa balbisiana Colla are distributed in South and South East Asian countries including Sri Lanka. The earliest written reference to bananas in Sri Lankan history goes back to about 341 A.D. the time of King Buddhadasa who is reputed to have been a skilled physician. The king had recorded in his Sarartha Sangragaha, the ...

Apr 14, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged King Buddhadasa, Sri Lankan history