DISCOVER - SRI LANKA: PROLOGUE

IN PRAISE OF MY BEAUTIFUL ISLAND,

INFORMATION, PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO.

THE 13th CENTURY VENETIAN TRAVELER MARCO POLO DESCRIBED THE ISLAND AS 'THE JADE PENDANT IN THE INDIAN OCEAN'. THE ABUNDANCE OF GEMSTONES, SPICES, RAIN FORESTS AND WILDLIFE; THE MAGNIFICENT BEACHES, ANCIENT RUINS AND A WRITTEN HISTORY OF OVER 2500 YEARS MAKE THIS ISLAND A TOURISTS' PARADISE.

THE RUINED CITIES OF ANURADHAPURA AND POLONNARUWA ILLUSTRATE THE GLORY OF THE ANCIENT KINGDOMS. THE GIGANTIC STUPAS AND BUDDHA STATUES ARE AMONG THE BIGGEST MAN MADE STRUCTURES OF THE WORLD. THE MASSIVE RESERVOIRS, BUILT BY ANCIENT KINGS TO IRRIGATE THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF LAND, ARE MARVELS OF HYDRO ENGINEERING. THERE ARE EIGHT UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN SRI LANKA

THE ISLAND WAS KNOWN TO THE GREEKS AS 'TAPROBANE' AND TO THE ARABS AS 'SERENDIB'. EARLY MERCHANTS VISITED THE ISLAND IN SEARCH OF GEMSTONES AND SPICES, MAINLY CINNAMON AND PEPPER. COFFEE AND TEA PLANTATIONS WERE STARTED BY THE BRITISH COLONIAL RULERS. CEYLON TEA IS FAMOUS THE WORLD OVER.

TOURISM INDUSTRY IS A MAJOR MONEY SPINNER FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL ISLAND. THE VAST EXPANSE OF BEACHES, RAIN FORESTS AND NATIONAL PARKS WITH HERDS OF WILD ELEPHANTS, THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS WITH LITHE WATER FALLS, BRING IN THE TOURISTS. THE ISLAND IS DOTTED WITH HUNDREDS OF HOTELS TO ACCOMMODATE THE TRAVELER. AN ISLAND OF 25,000 SQ; MILES HAS 103 RIVERS AND 25000 RESERVOIRS, MOSTLY MAN MADE. WITH VARYING CLIMATIC CONDITIONS THIS IS TRULY A 'SMALL MIRACLE'.

" THE ISLAND OF SRI LANKA IS A SMALL UNIVERSE, IT CONTAINS AS MANY VARIATIONS OF CULTURE, SCENERY AND CLIMATE AS SOME COUNTRIES A DOZEN TIMES ITS SIZE........I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ANY COUNTRY WHICH SCORES SO HIGHLY IN ALL DEPARTMENTS - WHICH HAVE SO MANY ADVANTAGES AND SO FEW DISADVANTAGES. LOVELY BEACHES, BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES, IMPRESSIVE RUINS, A VIBRANT CULTURE AND CHARMING PEOPLE- NO WONDER SRI LANKA IS A SMALL MIRACLE ".***** Arthur C. Clark *****

Showing posts with label History. Show all posts

15 November, 2012

SRI LANKA - MAMMOTH TREES [ SORABORA ]

Sorabora tank was built 2114 years ago by King Dutugemunu to irrigate the surrounding low lands for the cultivation of paddy, these centuries old mammoth trees can be seen on the tank bund.

Pics by: Nelsonlanka

Sony DSC H7

08 November, 2012

SRI LANKA - MAHIYANGANA TEMPLE

The Mahiyangana temple is believed to be the site of The Buddha's first visit to the country. The Sthupa stands at a height of 120 feet and a decorative gateway adorns the entrance to the temple.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

Sony DSC H7

17 September, 2012

SRI LANKA - SORABORA WEWA [ 102 B.C. ]

A reservoir or tank is called a ' wewa ' in the Singhalese language.The Sorabora wewa was built by King Dutugemunu in 102 B.C. in the Mahiyangana region. The water released from the tank for irrigation purposes flows along a twenty meter sluice cut into solid rock

Pics : Nelsonlanka

Sony DSC H7

23 August, 2012

SRI LANKA - BOOKS [ HISTORY ]

Ceylon and the Portuguese, 1505-1658
by P. E. Pieris, assisted by R. B. Naish.

Published 1920 by American Ceylon Mission Press in Tellippalai, Ceylon .
Written in English.

Mulleriyawa Satana in 1562 was the first major battle between the Portuguese and the Sinhalese and it was one of the most decisive battles in Sri Lankan history. At the time, it was the worst ever defeat for a colonial power on eastern soil. Local chronicles say that the marshlands of Mulleriyawa turned red with blood after the annihilation of the Portuguese by the army of Mayadunne of Sitawaka, a battle commanded by: Tikiri Bandara (subsequently Sitawaka Rajasigha). By winning this battle Sitawaka emerged all-powerful, able to challenge the Portuguese who lost the opportunity to ensure their total control of the island.

23 July, 2012

SRI LANKA - HISTORICAL BOOKS

History of Ceylon: Presented ... to the King of Portugal, in 1685
by João Ribeiro, George LeeView on archive.org • 299 pages • snippets in situRead

Ceylon was, in the olden time, known by the name of Serendib. In the enchanting " Arabian Nights," frequent mention is made of the Island, as the theater of many of the gorgeous scenes that are splendidly depicted in those Eastern tales. Serendib has ever been a terra incognita, and, therefore, a land of story and romance.

08 June, 2012

SRI LANKA - HISTORY [ THE UNSUNG HEROES ]

THE UNSUNG HEROES

When Wilhem Geiger translated The Mahavamsa and The Culavamsa , he made a statement which adequately expresses my personal sentiments regarding the complexities of Sri Lanka's recorded history. Geiger remarked "Not what is said, but what is left unsaid is the besetting difficulty of Sinhalese history...." I can well understand his frustration, and within the limited space of this article will try to deal with many unanswered questions in Sri Lanka's long and glorious civilisation. Sadly,I have spent hours gazing at the beautiful image of what must be one of the world's best examples of a carving out of living rock - The Avukana Buddha standing 42 ft. in height near the Kalavewa tank. Read more...

Written by : Bernard Vancuylenberg
Melbourne
Australia

20 April, 2012

SRI LANKA - RUINS OF YAPAHUWA

Yapahuwa was the capital of ancient Sri Lanka from 1273 to 1284, ruled by King Buwanekabahu. After the demise of the King Pandyans from South India invaded the country and Yapahuwa was abandoned and served as an abode for Buddhist monks.

Pics : Courtesy Ashan

08 April, 2012

SRI LANKA - HISTORY [ THE UNSUNG HEROES ]

Over a thousand years before artistists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, and Michaelangelo worked on their classic works of art - The Last Supper and the Sistine Chapel to mention just two - an unknown artist or artists, created a dazzling world of colour and wonder in a pocket of rock in the palace complex of Sigiriya. These paintings which are the earliest surviving examples of Sri Lankan art have delighted the world for over 1500 years. Still retaining their original colour, and shrouded in mystery, these paintings are silent witnesses to the grandeur of Sigiriya's golden age. What is not widely known is that amazing techniques in painting these frescoes were used by the artists in King Kasyappa's court. Wet plaster was first applied on the surface to be painted after which the artists began their labour of love. This meant that they had to be 100% accurate because if a mistake was made, it could not be corrected once the plaster had dried. The painters of the famous Ajantha frescoes in Indian on the other hand painted on hard dry plaster leaving room for any corrections, if mistakes were made !

Sri Lankan had her own "Sistine Chapel" in the rock pocket at Sigiriya before that of the Vatican in Rome. Originally there were 500 frescoes. These beautiful paintings fill one with emotion . The eye is never wearied and the heart never sated. That they were painted by the hand of man is hard to imagine. I almost believe they were painted by the Gods ! Living, lovely breathing women.......How sad that while the artists of the western world are known to us, the artistic geniuses of Sigiriya will forever remain anonymous.....Unsung heroes.

Written by : Bernard VanCuylenberg
Melbourne
Australia

Pics by : Gerrit, Netty, Hans and Hanneke
Belgium

25 December, 2011

SRI LANKA - HISTORICAL BOOKS

Rambles in Ceylon by [Augustus] De ButtsPublished in 1841 by W.H. Allen and co. • 324 pages • snippets in situRead

Ceylon was, in the olden time, known by the name of Serendib. In the enchanting " Arabian Nights," frequent mention is made of the Island, as the theater of many of the gorgeous scenes that are splendidly depicted in those Eastern tales. Serendib has ever been a terra incognita, and, therefore, a land of story and romance.

29 November, 2011

SRI LANKA - ANTIQUES [ ANCIENT FANS ]

The overhead fan made of thick cloth fitted to a plank, which has to be moved to and fro, by an aide, to send cool air to the diners at the table. Photographed at a house of an aristocrat of the 1920s.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka
Sony DSC H7

Photoshoot co-ordinated by : Udumbara Mapitigama

23 November, 2011

SRI LANKA - HISTORICAL BOOKS

Spolia zeylanica.
by unknown authorPublished in 1903 by s.n.] • 362 pages • snippets in situRead

Ceylon was, in the olden time, known by the name of Serendib. In the enchanting " Arabian Nights," frequent mention is made of the Island, as the theater of many of the gorgeous scenes that are splendidly depicted in those Eastern tales. Serendib has ever been a terra incognita, and, therefore, a land of story and romance.

18 November, 2011

SRI LANKA - ANTIQUES

Civil disputes were solved by the provincial Chieftains appointed by the Government Agents in colonial Ceylon during the British era. Photograph shows a dais used by a presiding Chieftain in a Provincial Court House.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

Photoshoot co-ordinated by : Udumbara Mapitigama

08 November, 2011

SRI LANKA - ANTIQUES

Ornately carved main door of a house built during the 1920s.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

Photoshoot co-ordinated by : Ajithsen

06 November, 2011

SRI LANKA - HISTORICAL BOOKS

Eleven years in Ceylon.
by Jonathan ForbesPublished in 1841 by R. Bentley • 482 pages • snippets in situRead

Great importance of the Island.-- Its population numerous and comparatively civilized at an early Period.-- Possesses a continuous History for Twenty-three Centuries.-- Liberal Policy of Great Britain to the Cingalese; consequent Prosperity of the Island.-- Compared with the Continent of India,-- Prospects of Christianity.-- My first acquaintance with Cingalese History, and Determination to examine the Antiquities of the Island.

05 November, 2011

SRI LANKA - HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS

A document signed on 7 th March, 1916 by the Officer Administering the Government of the Island of Ceylon, [ of the British Empire ], His Excellency Reginald Edward Stubbs. Signed on the day Mr.K.W.M.M.B.Mapitigama was appointed as the ' Ratemahathmaya ' [ Provincial Chieftain ] of Paranakuru Korale.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

Photoshoot coordinated by : Udumbara Mapitigama

04 November, 2011

SRI LANKA - THAMBAPANNI

The Kingdom of Tambapanni was the first Sinhala kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka. It existed between 543 BC, with the first Sinhalese king of modern day Sri Lanka to 505 BC. Tambapanni only had one king, Vijaya, a prince who was banished from North India to Sri Lanka.

Tambapanni is a name derived from Tāmraparṇī or Tāmravarṇī (in Sanskrit). This means the color of copper or bronze, because on landing Vijaya's and his followers' hands and feet which touched the ground became red with the dust of the red-earth, and the city founded on that spot was therefore named, Tambapanni.

A derivative of this name is Taprobane (Greek). Tambapanni is the Pali version of the name Tamira Varni.

Wikipedia the free encyclopedia.

Pics from the West Coast of Sri Lanaka off Kalpitiya

Pics courtesy : Ajithsen

20 October, 2011

SRI LANKA - HISTORICAL BOOKS

Ceylon in 1884
by Ferguson, JohnPublished in 1884 by S. Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington • 281 pages • snippets in situRead

Ceylon was, in the olden time, known by the name of Serendib. In the enchanting " Arabian Nights," frequent mention is made of the Island, as the theater of many of the gorgeous scenes that are splendidly depicted in those Eastern tales. Serendib has ever been a terra incognita, and, therefore, a land of story and romance.

07 October, 2011

SRI LANKA - HISTORICAL BOOKS

The rifle and the hound in Ceylon.

by Baker, Samuel White SirPublished in 1874 by Longmans, Green and co. • 404 pages • snippets in situRead

Ceylon was, in the olden time, known by the name of Serendib. In the enchanting " Arabian Nights," frequent mention is made of the Island, as the theater of many of the gorgeous scenes that are splendidly depicted in those Eastern tales. Serendib has ever been a terra incognita, and, therefore, a land of story and romance.