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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.
Friday, 30 April 2021
Kahaththewela Ambalama
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Poramadulla Ambalama
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Wegiriya Ambalama
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Hanguranketha Ambalama
2) Wijesinghe, T.K., 2015. Pauranika Sthana Saha Smaraka: Nuwara Eliya Distrikkaya (In Sinhala). Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). ISBN: 955-9159-36-4. pp.22-23.
Konakalagala Ambalama
Madanwala Ambalama
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Rikillagaskada Ambalama
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Rukula Ambalama
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Monday, 26 April 2021
Namal Oya Wewa
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Chandrika Wewa
2) Wijerathna, D. and Varma, S., 2006. A farmers’ company for better price: The case of Chandrika Wewa Farmer Company, Sri Lanka. In Cali, Colombia: Research Workshop on Collective Action and Market Access for Smallholders. pp.1-28.
Kuragala Ancient Buddhist Monastery
The Stupa controversy
On a craggy site…is the ancient Buddhist monastic site of Kuragala. At the site are several drip-ledged caves. Some of which contain Brahmi inscriptions of the second and first centuries BC. On one of the rock hummocks here are the remains of a brick-built dagoba [stūpa]” (ibid.: 702)
Citation: Deegalle, 2019. p.11.
Construction of the present shrine
Arabic writings: non-authentic?
The Dutch painting: depicting a Buddhist shrine?
Period: 2nd-1st century B.C. Script: Early-Brahmi Language: Old Sinhala
Transcript: ......................dataha Samudaha lene
Translation: The cave of ...................... datta [and] of Samudda
Citation: Paranavitana, 1970. p.59.
Text (In French): En parcourant le site et à la lecture du texte de M.L.M. Aboosally cité plusieurs fois cidessus, on acquiert vite la conviction que l'occupation du site par la petite colonie musulmane est récente, elle remonterait à la 2ème moitié du XIXe siècle. Il s'agit sans doute d'un ancien lieu sacré non musulman revendiqué actuellement par les musulmans. Les traditions qui s'y rattachent sont naturellement à prendre avec précautions, voire à rejeter. Les inscriptions énumérées ici sont certainement récentes et leurs «interprétations » actuelles se situent au même niveau que les traditions évoquées.
Translation: By browsing the site and reading the text of M.L.M. Aboosally quoted several times above, we quickly acquired the conviction that the occupation of the site by the small colony Muslim is recent, it dates back to the 2nd half of the 19th century. It is undoubtedly an ancient non-Muslim sacred place currently claimed by Muslims. The traditions attached to it are naturally to be taken with care, or even to reject. The inscriptions listed here are certainly recent and their current interpretations are at the same level as the traditions mentioned.
Citation: Kalus & Guillot, 2006. p.65.
This area that contains Brahmi inscriptions with drip-ledged caves has now turned into a mosque of Muslim devotees. There are modern constructions of several buildings at the site” (SLAR 1968– 1969: G31).Citation: Deegalle, 2019. p.10.
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2) Collins, C.H., 1932. The archaeology of the Sabaragamuwa Bintenna. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. XXXII, No 85. pp.158-184.
3) Deegalle, V.M., 2019. Kuragala: Religious and Ethnic Communities in a Contested Sacred Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. In Archaeology, Cultural Heritage Protection and Community Engagement in South Asia (pp. 45-58). Palgrave Pivot, Singapore.
4) Gnanawimala Thera, K., 1967. Saparagamu Darshana (In Sinhala). S. Godage Saha Sahodarayo. pp.18-20,264-271.
5) Kalus, L. and Guillot, C., 2006. Réinterprétation des plus anciennes stèles funéraires islamiques nousantariennes: III. Sri Lanka (In French). Archipel, 72(1), pp.64-65.
6) McGilvray, D.B., 2004. Jailani: A Sufi Shrine in Sri Lanka. Lived Islam in South Asia: Adaptation, Accommodation & Conflict, pp.273-289.
7) McGilvray, D.B., 2016. Islamic and Buddhist impacts on the shrine at Daftar Jailani, Sri Lanka. Islam, Sufism and everyday politics of belonging in South Asia, pp.62-76
8) Paranavitana, S., 1970. Inscriptions of Ceylon: Volume I: Early Brahmi Inscriptions. Department of Archaeology Ceylon. p.59.
9) Roberts, P., Perera, N., Wedage, O., Deraniyagala, S., Perera, J., Eregama, S., Gledhill, A., Petraglia, M.D. and Lee-Thorp, J.A., 2015. Direct evidence for human reliance on rainforest resources in late Pleistocene Sri Lanka. Science, 347(6227), pp.1246-1249.
10) Somadeva, R., Vanninayaka, A., Devage, D., 2014. Kaltota Gaveshanaya, 2014. Adiyara 1 (In Sinhala). pp.6-12,30-32.
11) The Gazette notification. no: 14987. 3 December 1971.
Saturday, 24 April 2021
Sanskrit Inscriptions in Sri Lanka
Scholars have dated these inscriptions to the period between the 5th-13th centuries A.D. (Dhammaratana, 2000).
No. | Inscription | Remarks | References |
1 | Kuchchaveli Inscription (Trincomalee District) |
The script is unique (similar to early-Grantha script) 5-8th century A.D. |
Paranavitana, 1933; Dhammaratana, 2000 |
2 | Trikayastava inscription (Anuradhapura District) |
Pallava Grantha script 7-8th century A.D. |
Dhammaratana, 2000 |
3/4 | Tiriyaya Inscriptions (Trincomalee District) |
Pallava Grantha script 7-8th century A.D. |
Paranavitana, 1934; Dhammaratana, 2000 |
5 | Jetavanarama Gold Plates (Anuradhapura District) |
Sinhala script of the Pallava Grantha type 9th century A.D. |
Dhammaratana, 2000 |
6 | Indikatuseya Copper Plaques (Anuradhapura District) |
Sinhala script 8-9th century A.D. |
Paranavitana, 1933; Dhammaratana, 2000 |
7 | A verse from Sigiri graffiti (Matale District) |
Pallava Grantha script 8-10th century A.D. |
Dhammaratana, 2000 |
8 | Jetavanarama slab inscription (Anuradhapura District) |
A variety of Magadha Nagari script 9th century A.D. |
Wickremasinghe, 1912; Dhammaratana, 2000 |
9 | Anuradhapura copper plaques (Anuradhapura District) |
Devanagari script 9th century A.D. |
Dhammaratana, 2000 |
10 | Indikatuseya Gold Sheet (Anuradhapura District) |
Sinhala and Devanagari scripts 9th century A.D. |
Dhammaratana, 2000; |
11 | Rajagirilenakanda Inscription (Anuradhapura District) |
Devanagari script 9th century A.D. |
Dhammaratana, 2000 |
12 | Vijayarama Copper Plaques (Anuradhapura District) |
Sinhala script 9th century A.D. |
Dhammaratana, 2000 |
13 | Abhayagiri Dharanis (Anuradhapura District) |
North-eastern Nagari, Sinhala scripts 9-10th century A.D. |
Dhammaratana, 2000 |
14 | Pabalu Vehera Copper Plaques (Polonnaruwa District) |
Sinhala script 9-10th century A.D. |
Dhammaratana, 2000 |
15 | Jetavanarama copper plaques (Anuradhapura District) |
Devanagari script 10th century A.D. |
Dhammaratana, 2000; Paranavitana, 1933 |
16 | Kapararama Slab Inscription (Anuradhapura District) |
Grantha and Sinhala scripts 10th century A.D. |
Ranawella, 2004; Dhammaratana, 2000 |
17 | Trincomalee fragmentary inscription (Anuradhapura District) |
Pallava Grantha 12th century A.D. |
Dhammaratana, 2000 |
18 | Anaulundava slab inscription (Polonnaruwa District) |
Sinhala script 12-13th century A.D. |
Wickremasinghe, 1928; Dhammaratana, 2000 |
19 | Padaviya rock inscription (Trincomalee District) |
Pallava Grantha script 13th century A.D. |
Pathmanathan, 1975; Dhammaratana, 2000 |
20 | Diyagampala inscription (Gampaha District) |
?? ?? |
?? |
Friday, 23 April 2021
Gin Ganga River
5) Wijesiri, I.D., Chaminda, G.G.T. and Silva, G.H.A.C., 2015. Catchment Protection of Gin Ganga (River) as part of Water Safety Plan (WSP) in Greater Galle Water Supply Scheme (GGWSS). 6th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management 2015, Kandy, Sri Lanka. pp.169-176.
Monday, 19 April 2021
Nicholson’s Cove Arabic Inscription, Trincomalee
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Sunday, 18 April 2021
Anuradhapura-Puttalam road Arabic Inscription
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Ellupitty Arabic Inscription
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Trincomalee Dockyard Arabic Inscription
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Puliyantivu Arabic Inscription
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