Buddhism and Sri Lanka

According to Sri Lankan chronicles, Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century B.C. by Arhant Mahinda, during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa.

Sri Lankan Inscriptions

The earliest trace of epigraphy in South Asia is said to be found in Sri Lanka. A piece of pottery, dated to circa the 4th century B.C. has been discovered from the Anuradhapura citadel.

Architecture of Sri Lanka

The architecture of Sri lanka has a long history and shows diversed forms and styles, mainly infuenced by their religions and traditional beliefs.

Sri Lankan Antiquities

Inherited from the past, Sri Lanka has a large number of antiques with cultural and historical significance which reflects the glory of past era.

Visit Sri Lanka

Located in the northern waters of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is an island blessed with a large number of attractons which has made the country an ideal destination for the tourism.

Saturday, 5 May 2018

Bopath Ella Falls

By Lanka Pradeepa May 05, 2018  ,  No comments
Not to be confused with Bo Ella Falls

Bopath Ella Falls
Bopath Ella Falls is a waterfall in Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka. The fall is about 35 meters tall and formed by the Kuru Ganga river, a tributary of Kalu Ganga river (Abeyawardana, 2002). Located near to the Kuruwita town, the fall can be reached by going along the Higgashinna-Devipahala road about 4 km distance.

The fall cascades resemble a shape of a Bo-leaf (Abeyawardana, 2002). Therefore it is named Bopath Ella. In the Sinhalese language, the word "Bo" means the tree of sacred fig (Bodhi tree) while "Path" means the leaves.

References
1) Abeyawardana, H. A. P., 2002. Heritage of Sabaragamuwa: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Sabaragamuwa Development Bank and The Central Bank of Sri Lanka. ISBN: 955-575-077-7. pp. 9-10.

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This page was last updated on 28 May 2022
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Thursday, 3 May 2018

Panduwasnuwara Tamil Slab Inscription

By Lanka Pradeepa May 03, 2018  ,  1 comment
The Tamil Slab Inscription in PanduwasnuwaraPanduwasnuwara Tamil Slab Inscription is one of the Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka. It was discovered in 1951, by Senarath Paranavitana, the then Archaeological Commissioner. Presently, it is erected in front of an ancient Buddhist temple located south of the Panduwasnuwara Citadel.

Panduwasnuwara is a ruined city situated in Kurunegala District. During the medieval period this city was known as Parakramapura, the capital of the principality of Dakkhinadesa founded by King Parakramabahu I [(1153-1186 A.D.) Nicholas, 1963].

This inscription consists of 22 lines and has been written in the Tamil language with the Tamil scripts of about the 12th century A.D. Several words are written in both Tamil and Grantha characters. A few Sinhalese words are also identified in the inscription (Pillay, 1960).

The inscription says that it was erected in the fifth year of Nissankamalla's (1187-1196 A.D.) reign. Which suggests that this was placed here in the year of 1191 A.D. or 1192 A.D. (Pillay, 1960). It records the benevolent deeds done by a commander named Kulantey Matimana Panjara. This commander is identified with Lak Vijayasinha, the person who is mentioned in the slab inscription of Nissankamalla in Polonnaruwa. According to the record, the commander Kulantey has built a monastery for monks, an alms hall, a Stupa (Cayittam) and a Pirivena named Parakrama Adhikari near the Bodhi tree in Sri-Pura town.

Panduwasnuwara Slab Inscription (Tamil)
Reign: Nissanka Malla (1187-1196 A.D.)
Period: 12th century A.D.             Script: Medieval Tamil             Language: Medieval Tamil
Transcript: Tennilankaik kon Parakramabahu Niccanka Mallar ..........>>
Translation: Parakramabahu Niccanka Mallar, the king of South Ceylon ..........>>
Reference: Pillay, 1960.

Panduwasnuwara Tamil Slab Inscription .
References
1) Nicholas, C. W., 1963. Historical topography of ancient and medieval Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New Series (Vol VI). Special Number: Colombo. Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch). p.104.
2) Pillay, K. K., 1960. A Tamil inscription from Panduvasnuvara: University of Ceylon Review (Vol: XVIII Nos 3 & 4). Ceylon University Press. pp. 157-162. 

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This page was last updated on 7 June 2022
For a complete tourist map follow this link: Lankapradeepa Tourist Map
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