Old Park Kachcheri (Jaffna)

The old Jaffna Kachcheri Building (Sinhala: යාපනය පැරණි උද්‍යාන කච්චේරිය; Tamil: பழைய பூங்கா, யாழ்ப்பாணம்) is located in Jaffna Old Park premises near the Secretariat of the Governor of Northern Province in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka. The word Kachcheri (or District Secretariat) is used to denote the principal government department that administrates a district in Sri Lanka. 

History

Although the history of this site runs back to the period of Dutch rule (1658-1796 A.D.), the existing building at the site has been built during the British period, around the time of P. Dyke, a British regional commissioner who purchased the adjacent land that is Old Park today and built a residence and garden in 1829 (Haramoto et al., 2015). 

Historical accounts regarding this building can be found in several written sources such as Volume II of the History of the Public Works Department from 1796-1896 (Dias et al., 2016; Wijebandara, 2014). During this period, the building had been used as Kachcheri or the principal administrative centre of the Jaffna District (Dias et al., 2016).

The description found in Martyn's Notes on Jaffna (1923) reveals that by 1844, there was a Kachcheri building in Jaffna;

1844-June. No less than 150 elephants reported to have been killed in Wanni, Government having offered a reward of fifteen shillings for every elephant destroyed. A certain number was also reported to have been killed in the Mannar and Pachchillapally districts. The tails of the elephants as proof of the animals having been killed were sent to the Jaffna Kachcheri, where they were cut in pieces and buried.
Citation: Martyn, 1923. p.22.

Building

The Jaffna Kachcheri building is considered an important monument that exampling the colonial architecture of the country (Dias et al., 2016; Wijebandara, 2014). Remaining architectural elements such as massive thick walls, Roman arches, inner courtyards, and shaped windows and doors majorly show the 19th century British architectural standards (Dias et al., 2016; Wijebandara, 2014). Architecturally, it features both a neo-Renaissance style as represented by semi-circular arches, cylindrical colonnades and verandas with a balustrade above the overhang of the front entrance, and the neo-Gothic style of using rose windows (Haramoto et al., 2015).

The building is oval in shape when excluding the projection at the entrance and surrounds a large garden in the centre (Haramoto et al., 2015). The brick and limestone-built walls of the building are considerably thick and had been plastered with coral to give a smooth appearance (Wijebandara, 2014). In some places, the floor has been decorated with mosaic ceramic pieces from the Dutch and subsequent British periods. The building also has a few inner courtyards and the largest of them is surrounded by a complex building system in a circular formation (Dias et al., 2016; Wijebandara, 2014).

A protected monument

The old Kachcheri building belonging to the area known as the Old Park (Parani Udhyanaya) situated in No. J/76 Jaffna Grama Niladhari Division in the Jaffna Divisional Secretary’s Division is an archaeological protected monument, declared by a government Gazette notification published on 30 December 2011.

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See also

#) Old Kachcheri (Colombo)

 

References

1) Dias, M.; Koralage, S.B.; Asanga, K., 2016. The archaeological heritage of Jaffna peninsula. Department of Archaeology. Colombo. pp.206-207.
2) Haramoto, T.; Inouchi, C.; Koizumi, Y.; Fukuyama, Y., 2015. Survey Report on the Protection and Utilisation of Cultural Property in the Northern and Northeastern Provinces of Sri Lanka. Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage. pp.25-28.

3) Martyn, J. H., 1923. Martyn's Notes on Jaffna: Chronological, Historical, Biographical. American Ceylon Mission Press. Tellippalai. Ceylon. p.22.

4) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. No: 1739. 30 December 2011. p.1090.
5) Wijebandara, I.D.M., 2014. Yapanaye Aithihasika Urumaya (In Sinhala). Published by the editor. ISBN-978-955-9159-95-7. pp.103-109.

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Jetavanarama Fragmentary Slab Inscription of Mahasena

Jetavanarama Slab Inscription of King Mahasena (Sinhala: මහාසේන රජුගේ ජේතවනාරාම පුවරු ලිපිය) is a fragmentary slab inscription found from the premises of Jetavanaramaya, Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka.

Discovery

The inscription was discovered from the premises of the Jetavana monastery in 1893, by the then Archaeological Commissioner H. C. P. Bell (Paranavitana, 2001; Ranawella, 2005). It has been brought to Colombo later and is presently on the display at the National Museum of Colombo.

Inscription

The inscription has been engraved on seven of the eight faces of a stone fragment which is octagonal in shape. Of them, the writing on five faces is in a good state of preservation (Paranavitana, 2001; Ranawella, 2005). The stone, possibly a crossbar of a railing, is nearly 2 feet long with facets of 4 to 5 inches.

Content

The inscription reveals its engraving date as the first year of a king whose name is not found in the preserved portion (Ranawella, 2005). However, scholars such as Senarath Paranavitana have dated this inscription to the reign of King Mahasena [(276-303 A.D.) Paranavitana, 2001; Ranawella, 2005].

Jetavanarama fragmentary slab inscription of King Mahasena
Reign: King Mahasena (276-303 A.D.)
Period: 3rd century A.D.
Script: Later Brahmi
Language: Early Sinhala

Transcript: (1)...ha  padamaka avanaka vahasi patakaya biku-sagana pa (2)... atarehi gatiya...>>

Translation: Proclaimed  in the first year of ... of the community of Bhikkus...>>

Content: The inscription has been established to regulate  the  monastic  life of monks connected  with  five  great  residences  of  the  Maha Vihara   fraternity  in  Anuradhapura

Reference  : Paranavitana, 2001.

References

1) Paranavitana, S. 2001. Dias, M. (Ed). Inscription of Ceylon: Volume II. Part II. Archaeological Survey Department. pp.189-192.
2) Ranawella, S. (Ed.), 2005. Sinhala inscriptions in the Colombo National Museum: Spolia Zeylanica. Vol 42. (2005). Department of National Museums, Sri Lanka. pp.3-5

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Beddagana Wetland Park

Beddagana Wetland Park (Sinhala: බැද්දගාන තෙත් බිම් උද්‍යානය) is an urban wetland park situated in Beddagana in Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte, Sri Lanka. The park is maintained by the Urban Development Authority.

History

The Beddagana Wetland park is located within the Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte Sanctuary declared by the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1985. The park was designed by the Urban Development Authority to control the flood in the urban area, provide a refuge for flora and fauna and moderate the temperature of the immediate surroundings.

The development process of the wetland was initiated under the Metro Colombo Urban Development Project and was funded with a concessionary loan facility from the World Bank. The park was declared open to the public on 15 June 2016. 

Park

The park which consists of marshy lands and woody patches is located in Diyawanna Oya flood plains and is extending over an area of about 18 hectares. It provides habitats for a wide range of wetland species including birds, butterflies, mammals, and other terrestrial and aquatic plant species. Cormorants, Purple Coots, Babblers, Kingfishers, and House Crows are some of the common birds found in the wetland. 


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Diyasaru Uyana Park

Diyasaru Uyana Park, also known as Thalawathugoda Wetland (Sinhala: දියසරු උයන), is an urban wetland park situated in Thalawathugoda in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. The park was formerly known as the Thalawathugoda Bio-diversity Study Park.

History

Before the year 1980, the site was a paddy land used by the public. It was then used to dump the dredged materials of the new Parliament Development Project. As a result of that, the site gradually became a marshy land swallowed by natural vegetation. However, the site was subjected to land encroachment by people as well as by some invasive plants such as Wel-atha, Acacia and Diyapara.

The site is situated in a flood detention area and therefore, it already has become an important wetland that helps to clean the polluted water of the Thalawathugoda catchment area before they reach Parliament Lake Diyawannawa. However, the flash flood that occurred in 2010, emphasized the proper management of flood retention areas including the Thalawathugoda wetland. Therefore, under flood-controlling projects, this wetland was also chosen to develop and during this process, the mainland was demarcated through a boundary canal and some of the middle canals. As a result of that, the mainland was fragmented into several small islands improving a proper drainage system as well as preventing illegal land encroachment by the people.

Park

The park which consists of marshy lands, woody patches, artificially created canals, and ponds is extending over an area of about 60 acres. It provides habitats for a wide range of wetland species including birds, butterflies, insects, dragonflies, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, fishes, and other terrestrial and aquatic plant species. Among the species found in this wetland, the fishing cat, otter, and crocodile are considered important.

Wooden walkways, observation towers & decks, information boards, resting huts & benches, and boat ride facilities are available at the park for visitors.

Attribution

1) Diyasaru by Randikachat is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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National Art Gallery, Sri Lanka

The National Art Gallery (Sinhala: Jathika Kala Bhavana) is located in Cinnamon Gardens in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. 

The Art Gallery mainly consists of two sections: one is reserved for the permanent collection and the other for displaying temporary exhibitions by local artists. Several best artworks including portraits, landscapes, and models by eminent artists from Sri Lanka are found kept in the permanent collection of the gallery.

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Council Chamber of Nissankamalla

The Council Chamber/Royal Court of Nissankamalla (Sinhala: නිශ්ශංකමල්ල රාජ සභාව, පොළොන්නරුව) is located in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. This monument is considered the best example found in Sri Lanka that reveals the arrangement of an ancient royal council.

History

From the available epigraphical evidence, this building has been exactly identified as the Council Chamber of King Nissankamalla (1187-1196 A.D.). The stone lion figure placed at the southern end of the building is the throne of the king as indicated by the inscription inscribed under the belly of the lion (Jayasuriya, 2016). Also, the inscriptions found on the pillars of the chamber reveal the seating arrangement of the respective ministers and state officials in the royal council (Jayasuriya, 2016).

Inscriptions of the Royal Court of Nissankamalla
Reign: Nissankamalla (1187–1196 A.D.)
Period: 12th century A.D.
Script: Medieval Sinhala
Language: Sanskrit mixed with Medieval Sinhala
Content: In the royal court complex, the stone lion throne is the seat of the king. The positions of the seats to be occupied by the other members including the viceroy, the heir apparent, the commander-in-chief, the chief scribe, the chief of staff, the commander, and the chairman of the chamber of commerce are denoted by the inscriptions inscribed on the pillars.
Reference: The information board at the site by the Department of Archaeology and the Ministry of National Heritage

Building

The building which is rectangular in shape has two consecutive levels. On the upper level are four rows of stone columns and each row contains twelve columns (Wikramagamage, 2004). The building can be entered through two entrances. Of them, the main entrance is facing the north and the other entrance faces the west (Wikramagamage, 2004). The remaining stone pillars indicate that they once had supported a roof covered with clay tiles (Wikramagamage, 2004).

A pillar containing an inscription of King Udaya II (887-898 A.D.) has been discovered in the vicinity of this building (Ranawella, 2001).


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See also

#) Sanskrit Inscriptions in Sri Lanka

References

1) Jayasuriya, E., 2016. A guide to the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. Central Cultural Fund. ISBN: 978-955-613-312-7. p.72.
2) Ranawella, S., 2001. Inscription of Ceylon. Volume V, Part I. Department of Archaeology. ISBN: 955-9159-21-6. pp.133-137.
3) Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.205.

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Council Chamber of Parakramabahu I

The Council Chamber of Parakramabahu the Great (Sinhala: මහාපරාක්‍රමබාහු රාජ සභාව, පොළොන්නරුව) is located to the east of the Parakramabahu Palace in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka.

History

A label inscribed on the stone slab fixed at the upper level of the flight of steps of the building reveals the ancient name of this building as Raja Vaishya Bhujanga Mandapaya (Seneviratna, 1998). The chronicle Culavamsa mentions that the Rajavesyabhujanga was the name used to call the council chamber built by King Parakramabahu I [(1153-1186 A.D.) Paranavitana, 1950; Prematileke, 1990]. However, it has been found that the present form of the building may have come as a result of a later renovation, probably done during the reign of King Parakramabahu II (1236-1270 A.D.) of the Dambadeniya Period (Paranavitana, 1950).

Building

The present rectangular building has three consecutive levels and the sidewalls of each level have been covered with stone tablets containing carvings of dwarfs, elephants, lions, and horses (Jayasuriya, 2016; Wikramagamage, 2004). The flight of steps which is also built in three sections has two Korawak Gal (wingstones) and two Sandakada Pahana (two moonstones). The two stone lion figures at the upper-level welcome visitors to the building. 

The uppermost platform consists of four rows of pillars, 12 in each row (Prematileke, 1990). The pillars are decorated with floral diagrams and it appeared that they once supported a wide-sloping roof without walls (Jayasuriya, 2016; Wikramagamage, 2004). The throne of the king was probably at the southern corner opposite the entrance podium (Prematileke, 1990).

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References

1) Jayasuriya, E., 2016. A guide to the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. Central Cultural Fund. ISBN: 978-955-613-312-7. p.74.
2) Paranavitana, S. 1950. Guide to Polonnaruwa. Govt Press, Colombo. pp.8-9.

3) Prematileke, L., 1990. The architecture of the Polonnaruwa period 800-1200 A.D. Wijesekara, N. (Editor in chief). Archaeological Department centenary (1890-1990): Commemorative series: Volume III: Architecture. Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). pp.41-42.

4) Seneviratna, A., 1998. Polonnaruva, Medieval Capital of Sri Lanka: An Illustrated Survey of Ancient Monuments. Archaeological Survey Department. p.119.

5) Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.207.

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Kota Vehera (Dedigama)

Kota Vehera, also known as Cuthighara/Suthighara Cetiya (Sinhala: දැදිගම කොට වෙහෙර, සූතිඝර වෙහෙර චෙෙත්‍යය), is an ancient Stupa located in the village of Dedigama in Kegalle District, Sri Lanka. The site can be reached by travelling along the Nelundeniya - Galapitamada road (B540) about 3.2 km distance from the Nelundeniya junction.

History

There is evidence that the history of Dedigama goes as far back as the 2nd century A.D. (Wikramasinghe, 1990).  During the 12-14 centuries A.D., Dedigama served as the residence of provincial leaders of Dakkhinadesa (Abeyawardana, 2002). In several chronicles and inscriptions, Dedigama is called by different names such as Punkhagama (in Pali Mahawamsa), Dathigama (in Thisara Sandeshaya), Jatigama (in Uttamala Sandeshaya), and Gnathigama (in the inscription of King Parakramabahu IV).

The Stupa has been built at the site where King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 A.D.) was born (Abeyawardana, 2002; Wikramasinghe, 1990). According to Mahawamsa, King Manabharana, the father of King Parakramabahu I, used Punkhagama as the capital city of the southern locality. It is mentioned that King Parakramabahu I was born there and afterwards he built the Cuthighara (Suthighara) Stupa of 120 cubits (180 ft.) tall on the site of the house in which he was born (Nicholas, 1963). The ancient Punkhagama, according to Paranavitana, is the modern Dedigama and the ruined Stupa which is today known as Kota Vehera is the ancient Cuthighara Dagoba built by King Parakramabahu I (Nicholas, 1963).

According to the accounts given in Thisara Sandeshaya (a Sinhalese literary work), Dedigama was the capital of King Parakramabahu V [(1344-1359 A.D.) Abeyawardana, 2002].

Discovery
The ruined Dedigama Stupa was discovered during the period of British rule by F.M. Price, the Government Agent in the Kegalle area (Wikramasinghe, 1990).

The Stupa and artefacts

The excavation and conservation activities of the site were carried out in 1951 (Wikramasinghe, 1990). During the excavations, a number of artefacts including a unique hanging lamp known as Eth Pahana (elephant lamp) were discovered from the Kotavehera Stupa. Most of the antiquities discovered from the site are presently preserved in the Dedigama Museum located nearby.

Stupa
The Stupa was excavated from the summit of the ruined mound. Several relic chambers with remnants of wall paintings depicting the figures of humans, animals, flowers, and trees were discovered during these excavations (Wikramasinghe, 1990). The present Stupa is 47 feet in height and has a diameter of about 804 feet. 

Eth Pahana

In 1951, two Eth Pahana lamps similar in design were discovered in the upper relic chamber of Suthighara Stupa at Dedigama (Jayawardana & Peiris, 2009; Udayakumari, 2016). The lamp has been made out of bronze and predominantly represents a figure of an elephant (hollow cast) carrying two mahouts on its shoulder. The elephant is 12.6 cm tall and 6.1 cm wide and stands on the top of a dish base (oil receptacle). As it was found in the relic chamber of Suthighara Stupa, the lamp has been dated by scholars to the reign of King Parakramabahu I; to the 12 century A.D. The lamp is presently on the display in the Gallery of Polonnaruwa Period at the Colombo National Museum.

Reliquaries

These two reliquaries which are made of gold were discovered from the Kota Vehera Stupa. The larger reliquary is 8.7 cm in height and represents a miniature Stupa of the Amalaka fruit [Nelli fruit shape (Phyllanthus emblica)] shape. The Hathares Kotuwa (the square enclosure) and the Koth Kerella over the dome part represent the Stupa form characteristic of the 12th century. A small crystal reliquary containing the relics in a gold capsule was found enshrined within this large reliquary.

The small reliquary which also has a shape similar to the larger reliquary is representative of the early medieval Stupa form of Sri Lanka.

Reference: National Museum of Colombo

Meditating Buddha

The seated Buddha statue that was discovered from the Dedigama Kota Vehera Stupa is presently on the display at the National Museum of Colombo.

The gold colour statue with an inner core of Sandalwood paste is about 16 cm in height and is a work belonging to the 12th century A.D. It depicts the Buddha in meditation (Samadhi) posture. The Buddha is sitting on a pedestal decorated with the Vajra symbol which is considered a common element found during the Polonnaruwa Period. Behind the Buddha is a decorated Makara Thorana (a dragon arch) adorned with gemstones. The dragon arch is held in position by two pillars and also by two rampant lions.

Reference: National Museum of Colombo

Dedigama Slab Inscription of Bhuvanekabahu VI

A stone-slab inscription of King Bhuvanekabahu VI (1470-1478 A.D.) is found set up in front of the Bodhi tree in the Dedigama Raja Maha Viharaya premises situated near the Kota Vehera Stupa. 

Dedigama slab inscription
Reign: 9th regnal year of Bhuvanekabahu VI
Period: 15th century A.D.
Script: Modern Sinhala
Language: Modern Sinhala
Content: The inscription was indited on stone by Vikramasingha Adhikara on the orders of his majesty, King Bhuvanekabahu VI. It has been established to allay the suspicion of fear from the minds of the people of the Satara Korale who were subdued after a rebellion against King Bhuvanekabahu VI. According to the inscription, an amnesty was granted to the inhabitants of the Satara Korale, by the king.
Citation: The information board at the site by the Department of Archaeology and the Ministry of National Heritage.

An archaeological reserve

The land plot named Kota Vehera Puravidya Sthanaya (F.V.P. 300 lot 1,2,3, & 4, lot no 757, F.V.P. no. 1,2,3,4, & 5 plots, No. A119 F.V.P. 6: consisting of 4 acres, 0 roods, 13.3 perches) situated in Dedigama village in the Divisional Secretary’s Division, Warakapola is an archaeological reserve, declared by a government Gazette notification published on 22 September 1967.

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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.59-60.
2) Jayawardana, C., and Peiris, K., 2009. Ancient micro scale hydraulic elements in Sri Lanka. Engineer - Vol. XXXXII, No. 03. The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka. pp.51-56.
3) 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.123.
4) Udayakumari, P.A.N. 2016. Relationship between Elephant Figure and Hydrostatic Principle of Eth Pahana in Dedigama. In: International Conference on Asian Elephants in Culture & Nature, 20th – 21st August 2016. p.22.
5) The Gazette notification. no: 14767. 22 September 1967.
6) Wikramasinghe, N., 1990.  Mural painting (800 A.D.-1200 A.D.). Nandadeva W. (Editor in chief), Archaeological Department Centenary (1890-1990): Commemorative series (Vol. V). Painting. Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). p. 65.

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Nawagamuwa Pattini Devalaya

Nawagamuwa Pattini Devalaya and Purana Viharaya (or Sri Sugatha Bimbaramaya) are located in Nawagamuwa village, Colombo District, Sri Lanka. The site can be reached by travelling along the Kaduwela-Avissawella road about 4.5 km distance from Kaduwela town. The site is popular among the people as a place where they can receive the blessings of Pattini, the patron goddess of fertility and health.

Legends

The most popular legend links the history of Nawagamuwa Devalaya to the period of King Gajabahu I (114-136 A.D.) of Anuradhapura (Manathunga, 2016; Rajapakshe et al., 2018). According to the legend, King Gajabahu, after invading South India, brought the anklet of Pattini with him and also a large number of Chola men as prisoners (Rajapakshe et al., 2018). On his return to Sri Lanka, the ship was hit by a storm and the king finally landed at Nawagamuwa where he built a Devalaya by enshrining the Pattini anklet (Rajapakshe et al., 2018).

History

During the Kotte Period (1412-1597 A.D.), this place was used as a jetty on the road connecting Colombo with Hanwella, Malwana, and Gurubewila (Manathunga, 2016; Rajapakshe et al., 2018).

As mentioned in the Godagama Sannasa, the Nawagamuwa Pattini Devalaya has been called during the early period as Pattini Kovila. According to the Sannasa, King Buvanekabahu VI (1472-1480 A.D.) had offered a gift of oil for the Perahera ceremony of Nawagamuwa Pattini Kovila (Rajapakshe et al., 2018).

It is said that King Mayadunne (1521 - 1581 A.D.) had stopped at the Nawagamuwa Pattini Devalaya to make a vow prior to his departure to war against the Portuguese in the Colombo Fort. In 1576, the Portuguese made a military establishment on the site by destroying the Devalaya but it was recaptured and rebuilt by King Mayadunne. However, the Devalaya was again destroyed by the Portuguese in 1594 (Rajapakshe et al., 2018; Sarma, 2007).

Later renovations have been done to the temple during the period 1813-1920 by caretakers of the temple including Sri Sumanatissa Thera.

Findings
Excavations around the Devalaya premises have unearthed a number of artifacts including building materials, Dutch coins, Ura Keta Lin (a special kind of wells)  and metallic statues, etc. (Rajapakshe et al., 2018). 

A protected site

The old image house, Galkanu Devalaya, Sri Maha Pattini Devalaya, Vishnu Devalaya, Kataragama Devalaya, Dedimunda Devalaya, the monks' dwelling, and the yard with the grove of ancient Na trees in the premises of Nawagamuwa Devala situated in the Divisional Secretary’s Division, Kaduwela are archaeological protected monuments, declared by a government Gazette notification published on 22 February 2002.

See also

#) Historical and Memorial Trees in Sri Lanka

References

1) Manathunga, S. B., 2016. Pauranika Sthana Saha Smaraka: Kolamba Distrikkaya (In Sinhala). Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). ISBN: 955-9159-39-9. pp.105-106.
2) Rajapakshe, S.; Bandara, T. M. C.; Vanninayake, R. M. B. T. A. B. (Editors), 2018. Puravidya Sthana Namavaliya: Kolamba Distrikkaya (In Sinhala). Vol. I. Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). ISBN: 978-955-7457-19-2. pp.63-64.
3) Sarma, B.S., 2007. History of Munneswaram Temple. Sri Sankar Publications. p.21.
4) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. No: 1264. 22 February 2002.

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Uthuwankanda Saradiel's Rock

Uthuwankanda, also known as Saradiel's rock (Sinhala: උතුවන්කන්ද), is a rock located in Mawanella in Kegalle District, Sri Lanka. According to locals, Uthuwankanda was the hideout of Sura Saradiel, a bandit who is popularly known among the people as the Robin Hood of Sri Lanka.

Saradiel

Deekirikevage Saradiel, popularly known as Utuwankande Sura Saradiel (1832-1864) is famous among the locals as a figure who supports the poor and the downtrodden by robbing the British administrators and their native supports (Abeyawardana, 2002). Uthuwankanda mountain was his hideout and from where he carried out numerous raids. However, Saradiel was captured by Police and taken to the gallows on 7 May 1864.

Presently, the area including the Uthuwankanda rock has been promoted as a destination for cultural tourism by the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council.

See also

#) Beligammana Pothgul Viharaya

#) Saradiel Village

Attribution

1) Utuwankanda by Milan.Shashintha is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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.53-54.

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Roland Silva

Deshamanya Dr. Sembukutti Arachchilage Roland Silva (1933-2020) was an eminent archaeologist of Sri Lanka. He was the Commissioner of Archaeology in Sri Lanka from 1983 to 1991 and the founder of Central Cultural Fund.

He passed away on 1st January 2020, after a brief illness at the age of 87 .

Education

University of Leiden, Netherlands (Ph.D.)

Known for

2008-2013: Chancellor, University of Moratuwa.
1996-1998: President of the Council of Archaeologists, Sri Lanka.
1990-1999: President, ICOMOS International, Paris.
1983-1991: Commissioner of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.
1982-1991: President, ICOMOS Sri Lanka.
1980-1997: Founder and the first Director General of the Central Cultural Fund.
1972-1973: President of the Ceylon Institute of Architects.

Bibliography

Notes: This list may incomplete.

1968

Prematilleke, L. and Silva, R., 1968. A Buddhist Monastery Type of Ancient Ceylon Showing Mahāyānist Influence. Artibus Asiae, pp.61-84.

1982

Silva, R., 1982. The engineering principles behind the largest brick monuments of the ancient world. The colossal Stupas of Sri Lanka.

Awards

2005: Deshamanya: National Award Conferred by the President of Sri Lanka.
2004: Fukuoka Prize for Arts and Culture: Fukuoka City International Foundation.
1999: Piero Gazzola awar: International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
1992: Vidya Jyothi: National Award Conferred by the President of Sri Lanka.

References

1) The official website of Presidential Secretariat Sri Lanka: National Honours.

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Malini Dias

Dr. Malini Dias is an archaeologist and was the Director of Epigraphy & Numismatics of the Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka from 1968 to 2004. She is the present vice-president of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka.

Education

1986-1989: School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (PhD.)
1962-1966: University of Peradeniya (BA)
1959-1962: Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo

Known for

2011-present: Vice President Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka.
1968-2004: Director of Epigraphy and Numismatics, Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka

Bibliography

Notes: This list may incomplete.

2016

Dias, M.; Koralage, S.B.; Asanga, K., 2016: The Archaeological heritage of Jaffna Peninsula. Department of Archaeology. Colombo.

1991

Dias, M., 1991: Epigraphical notes Nos. 1-18., Department of Archaeology. Colombo.

Dias, M., 1991: ඓතිහාසික බදුල්ල (Aithihasika Badulla). Department of Archaeology. Colombo.

Awards

2014: Gold Award for Archaeology, Uruma Prasada Pranama Festival, 22 Dec. 2014.

Disclaimer

By accessing this website, we hope that you are accepting the following disclaimer notice.

The information published in this biography has been extracted from reliable sources but we, Lanka Pradeepa (lankapradeepa.com) assume no responsibility or liability for any inaccurate or outdated content on this page.

This page was last updated on 1 May 2022
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Thivanka Pilimage (Polonnaruwa)

Thivanka Pilimage/ Pilima Geya, or Tivanka image house (Sinhala: තිවංක පිළිම ගෙය) is a Gedige (vaulted) type image house located in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. This image house is famous across the country for its 12th-century paintings belonging to the Polonnaruwa Period.

History

Constructed by King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 A.D.), Thivanka Pilimage was the image house that belonged to the ancient Jetavanarama monastery (Nicholas, 1963; Wikramagamage, 2004).

Rediscovery

The image house which was covered by jungle for about five centuries was rediscovered in 1885, by S. M. Burrows (Wikramagamage, 2004).

Image house

The walls and the roof of Thiwanka Pilimage have been completely built out of bricks and therefore, known as a Gedige-type image house (Wikramagamage, 2004). There are three examples of this type of vaulted-roof shrine at Polonnaruwa; viz: Thivanka Pilimage, Lankathilaka Pilimage, and Thuparama Pilimage. The original brick vaulted roof of the image house, however, no longer exists but a fragment of it is still visible at the south of the shrine.

The image house is about 133 ft. long and the ground plan mainly consists of four parts, viz: the Garbhagrha (the sanctum), the Antarala (the vestibule), and the Mandapa, and the entrance porch (Prematilleke, 1990). The main entrance of the shrine is facing the east and a flight of steps associated with two Korawak Gal (wingstones) and two Muragal (guard stones) can be seen at the beginning of the entrance. A subsidiary entrance/exit is found on the north wall of the Mandapa (Prematilleke, 1990).

A giant headless standing Buddha statue with broken hands is found in the Garbhagrha. The statue is standing on a lotus base in a relaxed posture and is considered a unique piece of work belonging to the Polonnaruwa Period. The statue is bent at three places, namely the shoulder, the waist, and the knee and therefore called a Thivanka/Tribhanga (meaning three bends) statue. The image house is today called Thivanka Pilimage due to this large bent Buddha statue.

The Buddha statue has been built attached to a screen wall. Between the screen wall and the inner side of the rear wall of the image house is a narrow ambulatory (Ray 1960). The ambulatory is 4 ft. 6 in. in breadth and the two walls (the screen wall and the rear wall) are joined together at a height of 19 ft. 8 in. (Ray 1960). Besides the ambulatory at the ground floor level, it is said that there was another ambulatory around the statue on the upper level. 

The exterior walls of the image house have been adorned with decorative sculptures depicting miniature edifices (Vimana) together with Bodhisattvas, deities, lions, swans, and dwarf figures in various postures.

Paintings

The Thivanka image house is most noteworthy for its paintings of the Polonnaruwa Period. It is the only image house in the ancient Polonnaruwa city that retains most of the original paintings that decorated the monument (Prematilleke, 1990).

The inner walls of the image house are adorned with paintings depicting certain incidents from the life of the Buddha and Jataka stories (stories of past births of the Buddha). The walls of the entrance porch and Mandapa are filled with murals showing Jataka stories such as Sasa, Vessanthara, Guttila, Sama, etc. (Wikramagamage, 2004).  Several incidents from the Buddha's life such as Devaradhana (the Gods'request), and the Buddha's descent from heaven to the City of Sankassa, etc. are found drawn on the inner walls of the Garbhagrha (Prematilleke, 1990).

Buddha in a rowing boat 
(From Thivanka Pilimage, 12th century A.D.)
This is a replica of the original painting extracted from the Thivanka Pilimage and is presently on the display at the Painting Gallery of the National Museum of Colombo. It has been copied by D. A. L. Perera for the Department of National Museum but the copying date is unknown (Rambukwella, 2014). The location of this painting can not be identified as it completely faded away from the image house.

This painting depicts a life incident of the Buddha but the exact scene has not been identified. The Buddha in the painting is sitting on a boat with several other human figures. The left hand of the Buddha is resting on his left knee while the right hand is placed on the lap. Two figures (apparently a royal couple) are standing on the boat to the left of the Buddha and another figure is standing on the other side. Two boatmen at either end are rowing the boat.

 

Asankhavathi Jataka with a scene of a couple in a conjugal union

(Inner south wall of the entrance porch, below the Vessantara Jataka scene, Thivanka Pilimage)

Bodhisattva Brahmin picked up an infant left on a lotus flower and brought her up as a beautiful lady. The king was attracted to her and won her to be his queen after a trying test of determining her name, Asankhavati. The scene portrays a jungle environment where a couple enjoys themselves in conjugal union, the Brahmin picking up the child, and the girl being brought up in a hut.

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Stucco decorative sculptures

Several head fragments of stucco sculptures recovered from Lankatilaka and Tivanka image houses in Polonnaruwa have been presently preserved in the National Museum of Colombo. These clay-made figures that formed decorative friezes of the plinths of the aforesaid two image houses have a humorous and dwarfish countenance. The hairstyles, broad lips, teeth, and large open eyes have also intensified the amusing appearance of these figures.

These decorative sculptures belong to the 12th century A.D. and are examples of the primitive clay figurines of the ancient folk art tradition.

A protected monument

The Thiwanka Pilima Geya located in the Athumalpitiya village in the Divisional Secretary’s Division, Thamankaduwa is an archaeological protected monument, declared by a government gazette notification published on 4 June 2004.

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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.179. 

2) Prematilleke, L., 1990. The architecture of the Polonnaruwa Period B.C.800-1200 A.D. Wijesekara, N. (Editor in chief). Archaeological Department centenary (1890-1990): Commemorative series: Volume III: Architecture. Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). pp.51-52.

3) Rambukwella, M.W.C.N.K., 2014. Heritage representation in culturally diverse societies: a case study of the Colombo National Museum in Sri Lanka (Doctoral dissertation, School of Museum Studies). p.363.
4) Ray, H. C. (Editor in Chief), 1960. University of Ceylon: History of Ceylon (Vol 1, part II). Ceylon University Press. pp.597-598.

5) The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. No: 1344. 4 June 2004. p.15.
6) Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.225-226.

Location Map

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