PRIDE OF A NATION

  Dambulla Viharaya is famous as  well preserved cave complex in Sri Lanka. Dambulla Cave Temple also known as Golden Temple of Dambulla, situated in central part of Sri Lanka. This cave temple complex was declared as World Heritage by UNESCO in year 1991.  In the very early ages, Buddihist monks of Sri Lanka lived in caves. Buddhist monks always appreciated calmness as well simple life style. Therefore they lived in such caves with a little needs. By the time of King Devanampiyatissa, Buddhism was sent by Emperor Ashoka along with his son who later entered in to Buddha sasana and robbed as Arhath Mahinda thero. Since then Buddhism was established in Sr Lanka. As mentioned erlier monks who prcticed virtues lived in such caves in early ages. Among the other information it is said that, pre historic man would have lived in these area. The place called Ibbankattuwa which is close to Dambulla is identified as a burial site of pre historic men. That was the way how caves came ...

     SRI WICKRAMA RAJASINGHE Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe is the last king of Sri Lanka. As well he was the last king of "Nanayakkara " chain. Nayakkara was originated in South India mainly.  Since ancient times many kings brought South Indian queens to Sri Lanka for the purpose of marriage. By these marriages the bond between Sri Lanka and South India was tightened. Apart from that    new pedigree of Nayakkara was created in Sri Lanka. Nayakkara kings practiced Hinduism.  King Rajasinghe was born in Madurai and died in 1832, Vellore, India. He was also called as "Kannasami"and became the king of Kandaudarata (Kandy) in age of 18. Prime Minister of Kandyan court was called as Adigar or Adikaram. Pilimathalawe Adigar was one of the powerful character of Kandyan court at that time. He put his all efforts to set up dynasty to "Kannasami" . But later on he wanted something else and he wanted British to rule the country. And he thought that he would be given mor...

 COLLAPSE OF THE KINGSHIP, 1815 KANDYAN AGREEMENT (Fatal destiny of a proud kingdom) The administration of old Ceylon was based on of  kingship. The king ruled whole country with the assistance  of ministers and other provincial rulers. Prima facie it seems a decentralized system whereas all the powers were centralized in the hands of one person called "King". Therefore one might argue k ingship as a dictatorship. But kings always acted according to advice of Buddhist monks and ministers of Raja wasala. Therefore the kingship was consisted with democratic  features.  However  the traditional kingship concept was uprooted with the English administration. The whole Kandyan kingdom was conquered by English men in 1815 y signing the Kandyan agreement which contained 12 sections. Then British governor Robert Brownrigg and the Kandyan chiefs in Magul Maduwa  (Royal Audience Hall)  which is situated in Dalada Maligawa premises....

SINHALA MUSLIM RIOTS 1915 Sri Lanka is a  multi ethnic country. This riot was emerged between Sinhala Buddhist and Indian Moors which are two main ethnicity of the country. By this time English was governing the whole country. The native population of the country is Sinhalese and Indian Moor was minority. According to the ancient records Ceylon Moor settled   the country along with Arab merchants who landed for trade while Indian Moors originated from South India. However the Gampola Perahara incident was the core reason for  Sinhalese and Muslim riot. The riot was initially between  Buddhist of Wahallagoda temple and Indian Moors who originally came from South India. Indian Moors objected stating that ,  the Buddhist perehara (procession) could not be allowed  with the music while passing their mosque premises. Agreeing to all the terms Buddhist decided to carry out the perehara another time which  is not conflicted with praying hours of the mosq...

 Dalada Maligawa one of  the most precious and holy icon of all Buddhists  around the world, which is situated in central province with a great architecture.  According  to ancient sources picturesque "Paththiruppuwa",  was created by well known Dewendra Mulachari who was the best architecture by the time of Kandyan kingdom.   Holy tooth Relic of Lord Buddha  who is the leader, philosopher and the greatest preacher of Buddhists' all over the world  was safely kept inside the chambers with all fragrant flowers and various offerings. Esala Perahara is held by the countrymen with the fully supervision and state sponsorship in every July.  It is a mirror of the cultural and religious harmony and the uniqueness of all Sri Lankan.   According to the sources available, Tooth Relic was brought by Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamala, who set foot by the time of king Kithsiri Megha in Anuradhapura era. Since then, protecting Tooth R...

KUTTAM  POKUNA Sri Lanka though small in its physical size, is inherited a great technology. The irrigation system owned by Sinhalese is par excellence. My very first article on excellent irrigaion system of old ceylon is a great example for its greatness. Apart the tank system ponds and channels too plays a major role in irrigation system . Kuttam pokuna one of masterpiece, done by king II Agrabodhi.  The term Kuttam Pokuna refers twin ponds. Though it is called as twin in the sense,  southern pond is greater than northern pond. According to the history the two ponds were filled by the water carried from Thisa wewa, Nuwara wewa and Basawakkulama wewa by way of under ground pipe system. First , the water was filed to a tank which is located above the tank.Then smaller pond is filled by water through a "Makara kata" which is shaped as a mouth of a dragon. Then pipe line lied bottom of the pond. Its a great reflection of  engineering system of our ancestors, wh...

RUWANWELI MAHA SEYA Ruwanweliseya the most famous as well holy precious masterpiece of all Sri Lankan Buddhists. Ruwnweliseya stands on the holy land of Anuradapura within the well known Mahamewna uyana alias MahaMegha uyana which was devoted on bealf of the Bikkus in Anuradhapura era by king Devanampiyatissa. It was a peaceful landscape with calm and tranquil surrounding. According to  Mahavansa the well established written source on Sri Lankan history says that, by the time of demarcating boundries of Mahamewuna Uyana Arhath Mahinda thero had preached that a king named Dutugemunu would build  a holy Dagaba called Ruwanweliseya one day. That particular rock inscription was found by king Dutugemunu later on. Ruwanweli Maha seaya is also known as Swarnamali maha chaithya. There is an interesting folk story among age old rajarata people on the name "Swarnamali". According to it, there was a Diety call Swarnamali who lived in Ranthelambu tree which was standing in the prem...

COLEBROOKE REFORMS SOCIO - ECNOMIC TRANSFORMATION AND 1848 STRUGGLE - PART II 1848 struggle is the second main bloodshed in Ceylon in which many sacrificied lives and rest loose their assest. It was not an isolated event but an union of cluster of  incident. As observed previously it was an outrage came out of common touch of this country. Gongale Goda Banda and Veera Puran Appu were the cheif leaders of the uprising. Waste land ordinance in 1840 made a chaos in the society where many loose their lands which came from inheritance. It is truism that since the early ages Sri Lankan had no documentary evidence in order to prove the possession to their land which were mainly considered as the assest of the king. The aforementioned ordinace paved the way for government to acquire lands which had no written document in order to prove the title. Pheasents had to face many disturbances due to this issue. The hidden object of this was to acquiring the lands for the purpose of cultivati...

COLEBROOKE REFORMS SOCIO-ECONOMICS TRANSFORMATION AND 1848 STRUGGLE  FIRST PART 1848 Rebellion  is also known as Matale keralla which was initially emerged from the common touch of the country. Colebrooke suggestions for a new constitution changed almost every sector of Ceylon drastically. Each recommendation of the Colebrooke committee was designed for the well being of the Throne of the Britain. By this time domestic revenue was lower than the expenditure, this was the main reason for introducing Colebrooke reforms It changed traditional Sri Lankan society with major administration and judicial changes while leading to a great bloodshed on this land. i) Establishing Legislature and Executive committee for the first time. ii)Abolition of Rajakari Kramaya which was compulsory personal service in kings era. iii)Improving commercial cultivation, this reduced the state sponsorship for  paddy cultivation. iv)Establishment of Supreme court  the very fi...

1818 INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE (UDARATA MAHA KARELLA) Sri Lanka was exposed to the Western in 1505 with the advent of Portuguese, later Dutch and English  respectively. Out of all three western nations English ruled Ceylon nearly 130 years. English  came 1796, with the invitation of Udarata King English came to chase away Dutch. But something unexpected happened. Ceylon became a British colony. In year 1815, English concurred whole country, by way of famous 'Udarata Givisuma'. It was consisted with 12 articles. Breaking the promises English infringed it in broad daylight. Buddhism and Buddhist monks were neglected. This was a big struck. Many were not pleased with English administration, this displeasure soon converted in to a struggle for independence. Seeds of the struggle came from Wellassa and later spreaded. Apart from these reasons, appointment of Muslim Muhandiram called "Hajji Marikkar" to Wellassa was the closest  for 1818 struggle. His appoin...

  Kingship and governance in old Ceylon PART II POLONNARUWA, DAMBADENIYA TO KANDY Though Anuradapara kingdom has  no specifically designed fortress, or protective creations, it survived nearly thousand years. " Raja Raja and Rajendra's " great invasion paved the way to change the kingdom. Polonnaruwa named as second kingdom of old Ceylon accordingly.  Polonnaruwa" alias "Pulathisipura" too existed considerable period of time. I Vijayabahu fought and won  against "Raja Raja and Rajendra" Dravidians who came from South India.  I Vijayabahu   was protected by a rural village headman called "Buddaraja alias Budalna" Later defeated Cholas. After unifying the country he had to renovate all the tanks devastated by Cholas. (Chola is mainly a rural state in South India, always invaded Ceylon whenever they become powerful ) His whole time was allocated for renovations. His foreign policy is note worthy. It was a great strategy used by the...

KINGSHIP AND GOVERNANCE Of OLD CEYLON - ANURADHAPURA ERA - PART 1 Sri Lankan history can be categorized under two major headings, I) Before the written history (pre historic age) II) After the written history(advent of Aryan) When we discuss the kingship and the ruling system of pre historic age, it is rare. Unwritten history is started before the advent of Vijaya. According to the Buddhist literature few stories are revealed.  Choolodara and Mahodara in Buddhist culture said to be siblings and they were introduced  as Kings, they might be powerful rural leaders with great power.  Maniakkitha Na Raja also a such leader who ruled Kelaniya. Before the  arrival of Aryan three main tribes resided and ruled old Ceylon. Those  were good at mercantile affairs especially the "Naga" . The unique location of the country made it possible. For a well organised business, firmly established administration is needed. Therefore it is evident t...

INSIGHT ON SINHALESE AND TAMIL NEW YEAR Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a special cultural event of all Sinhala and Tamil people in Sri lanka. It is not just a occasion but a vivid cultural momentum which reflects the unity and reconciliation of a nation. Reconciliation is not a novel concept for Sri Lankan, Sinhalese and Tamil New year is itself a cultural event which enshrines reconciliation of two major communities in Sri Lanka, Sinhalese and Tamil. These new terms came to the usage as result of exposing to the western world, whereas these were embeded our culture . Sinhalese and Tamil New Year is a mixture of all values peace, harmony as well reconciliation. Sinhala and Tamil New year belongs under the category of seasonal festivals. These festivals are well known concepts all over the world and most of these festivals are held after cutting and storing the harvest. This is a season for rest and token of appreciation for cultivators' hard working. Therefore most ...

SIGIRIYA-  HOTSPOT Of ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY Sigiriya ancient rock fortress said to be built by king Kashyapa whose father was king Dathusena. This is situated in Matale distric central provice at Dambulla town. Sigiriya is well known for its architectural design as well the technology used. According to the history it was built within 18 years. Some argue that this was not a 100% creation of King Kashyapa, according to them Sigiriya has a long history which goes back to King Ravana. According to them this was Alakamdawa of Kuwera,  Mayadana who was the greatest architect ever constructed and gifted unto Kuwera.  However its origin, Sigiriya is truly amazing work, summit of the rock fortress is about three acres consisted with stone ponds, stages, Royal pavilion and many other architect designs. Each of its features show the pride of our nation.  WATER TECHNOLOGY Its miraculous functioning is amazing. The basic technology of setting up the fountain ...

AMAZING WATER ENGINEERING SYSTEM IN ANCIENT SRI LANKA - IRRIGATION                             TANK SYSTEM Thogh Sri Lanka small in physical size, it is a cluster of Traditional Knowledge. Sinhalese creations were unbelievable and simply surpass modern technology in every sense. It is truism that almost every civilization in the world so far rooted along river banks or a water resouvier which is a very valuable for  domestic purposes. Eg- Mesopotemia (Ypretise and Tygries, land between rivers), Egyptian civilization (Nile river), Indus valley sindu nadee). Likewise Anuradhapura is the first kingdom in Sri Lanka which too was set up by the Kadamba Nadee now known as Malwathu oya. Aryans who came to Sri Lanka had the intrinsic knowledge of paddy cultivating and practiced it in here too. Flourished low land, water facility  and sunny weather made the paddy cultivation successful. However escalat...