CHAPTER II ETHNIC GROUPS and SETTLEMENTS the Beginnings Of
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THE CITY of JAYAWARDENA KOTTE: Mstory, FORM and FUNCTIONS.*
THE CITY OF JAYAWARDENA KOTTE: mSTORY, FORM AND FUNCTIONS.* See friend, proud city of Jayawardena, Renowned by victories achieved, Outvying the city of the gods in luxury, Where live rich folk who adore the triple gem with faith. Salalihini Sandesa Introduction The city of Jayawardena Kotte followed the inevitable pattern of a typical defence city. It emerged due to the needs of a critical era in history, attained its zenith under a powerful ruler and receded into oblivion when its defence mechanism and the defenders were weak. The purpose of Jb.is essay is to understand this pattern with emphasis on its form and functions. In the latter respect the essay differs from the writings on Kotte by G.P. V. Somaratna' and C.R. de Silva." whose primary attention was on the political history of the city. It also differs from the writings of E.W. Perera," D.O. Ranasinghe," C.M. de Alwis' and G.S. Wickramasuriya,? whose interest was mainly the archaeological remains of the city, its architecture and the preservation of its ruins. * An earlier draft of this paper was presented at the 12th Conference of the International Association of Historians of Asia, 24 - 28 June, 1991, held at the University of Hong Kong. G.P. V. Somaratna, "Jayawardanapura: The Capital of the Kingdom of Sri Lanka 1400-1565", The Sri Lanka Archives vol. II. pp. I - 7, and "Rise and Fall of the Fortress of Jayawardanapura", University of Colombo Review, vol. X, pp. 98-112. C. R. de Silva, "Frontier Fortress to Royal City: The City of Jayawardanapura Kotte", Modern Sri Lankan Studies vol.II, pp. -
The Entrenchment of Sinhalese Nationalism in Post-War Sri Lanka by Anne Gaul
An Opportunity Lost The Entrenchment of Sinhalese Nationalism in Post-war Sri Lanka by Anne Gaul Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Supervised by: Dr. Andrew Shorten Submitted to the University of Limerick, November 2016 Abstract This research studies the trajectory of Sinhalese nationalism during the presidency of Mahinda Rajapaksa from 2005 to 2015. The role of nationalism in the protracted conflict between Sinhalese and Tamils is well understood, but the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 2009 has changed the framework within which both Sinhalese and Tamil nationalism operated. With speculations about the future of nationalism abound, this research set out to address the question of how the end of the war has affected Sinhalese nationalism, which remains closely linked to politics in the country. It employs a discourse analytical framework to compare the construction of Sinhalese nationalism in official documents produced by Rajapaksa and his government before and after 2009. A special focus of this research is how through their particular constructions and representations of Sinhalese nationalism these discourses help to reproduce power relations before and after the end of the war. It argues that, despite Rajapaksa’s vociferous proclamations of a ‘new patriotism’ promising a united nation without minorities, he and his government have used the momentum of the defeat of the Tamil Tigers to entrench their position by continuing to mobilise an exclusive nationalism and promoting the revival of a Sinhalese-dominated nation. The analysis of history textbooks, presidential rhetoric and documentary films provides a contemporary empirical account of the discursive construction of the core dimensions of Sinhalese nationalist ideology. -
*‡Table 5. Ethnic and National Groups
T5 Table[5.[Ethnic[and[National[Groups T5 T5 TableT5[5. [DeweyEthnici[Decimaand[NationalliClassification[Groups T5 *‡Table 5. Ethnic and National Groups The following numbers are never used alone, but may be used as required (either directly when so noted or through the interposition of notation 089 from Table 1) with any number from the schedules, e.g., civil and political rights (323.11) of Navajo Indians (—9726 in this table): 323.119726; ceramic arts (738) of Jews (—924 in this table): 738.089924. They may also be used when so noted with numbers from other tables, e.g., notation 174 from Table 2 In this table racial groups are mentioned in connection with a few broad ethnic groupings, e.g., a note to class Blacks of African origin at —96 Africans and people of African descent. Concepts of race vary. A work that emphasizes race should be classed with the ethnic group that most closely matches the concept of race described in the work Except where instructed otherwise, and unless it is redundant, add 0 to the number from this table and to the result add notation 1 or 3–9 from Table 2 for area in which a group is or was located, e.g., Germans in Brazil —31081, but Germans in Germany —31; Jews in Germany or Jews from Germany —924043. If notation from Table 2 is not added, use 00 for standard subdivisions; see below for complete instructions on using standard subdivisions Notation from Table 2 may be added if the number in Table 5 is limited to speakers of only one language even if the group discussed does not approximate the whole of the -
An Aspect of the History of the Veddas of Sri Lanka"
Creolization, Legend and History: an Aspect of the History of the Veddas of Sri Lanka" The Veddas of Sri Lanka are a near extinct aboriginal community confined at the moment to a narrow strip of forest in the area east of the central hill country.! The census of 1881 recorded their number as 2,200. By 1958 it had dropped to 800 and by 1963 it had dwindled to such an extent that the Yeddas were no longer assigned a separate entry in the census and were included in the column for "other races".» Historians and anthropologists are generally agreed on the point that Yeddas are the descendants of the Stone Age Man of Sri Lanka whose traces have been found in places such as Bandarawela and Balangoda.P The Seligrnanns who did intensive field-work among the Veddas at the beginning of the present century have shown that there is considerable evidence to suggest that once the Yedda country embraced "the whole of Uva and much of the Central and North Central provinces, while there is no reason to suppose that their territory did not extend beyond these limits.":' However, with the advent of the Aryan settlers in the sixth century B.C. who established a hydraulic civilization in the north central and south eastern plains, the Veddas seem to have retreated towards the upper basin of the Mahaweli. With the final collapse of the hydraulic civilization and the drift of the Sinhalese population to the south west which began towards the thirteenth century> the Veddas again seem to have extended their activities north and eastwards. -
CONTENTS Chapter Preface Introduction 1
CONTENTS Chapter Preface Introduction 1. Sri Lanka 2. Prehistoric Lanka; Ravana abducts Princess Sita from India.(15) 3 The Mahawamsa; The discovery of the Mahawamsa; Turnour's contribution................................ ( 17) 4 Indo-Aryan Migrations; The coming of Vijaya...........(22) 5. The First Two Sinhala Kings: Consecration of Vijaya; Panduvasudeva, Second king of Lanka; Princess Citta..........................(27) 6 Prince Pandukabhaya; His birth; His escape from soldiers sent to kill him; His training from Guru Pandula; Battle of Kalahanagara; Pandukabhaya at war with his uncles; Battle of Labu Gamaka; Anuradhapura - Ancient capital of Lanka.........................(30) 7 King Pandukabhaya; Introduction of Municipal administration and Public Works; Pandukabhaya’s contribution to irrigation; Basawakulama Tank; King Mutasiva................................(36) 8 King Devanampiyatissa; gifts to Emporer Asoka: Asoka’s great gift of the Buddhist Doctrine...................................................(39) 9 Buddhism established in Lanka; First Buddhist Ordination in Lanka around 247 BC; Mahinda visits the Palace; The first Religious presentation to the clergy and the Ordination of the first Sinhala Bhikkhus; The Thuparama Dagoba............................ ......(42) 10 Theri Sanghamitta arrives with Bo sapling; Sri Maha Bodhi; Issurumuniya; Tissa Weva in Anuradhapura.....................(46) 11 A Kingdom in Ruhuna: Mahanaga leaves the City; Tissaweva in Ruhuna. ...............................................................................(52) -
ETHNOGRAPHY in the TIME of CORONA Social Impact of The
1 ETHNOGRAPHY IN THE TIME OF CORONA Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka Sindi Haxhi Student Number: 12757454 [email protected] Supervisor: Dr. Oskar Verkaaik Medical Anthropology and Sociology University of Amsterdam 10 August 2020 2 Acknowledgments Having to do ethnography in such a turbulent time has been an experience that has taught me more about my profession than any class could ever have. Most importantly, it taught me that it is in these uncertain times that people come together to help one another, and this researcher could have never happened without the support of some wonderful people. I would like to take the time here and acknowledge some of these people who have contributed, officially or unofficially, to the final product of my ethnographic work. First of all, this research could have never come to life without the help of my local supervisor, Dr. Ruwan Ranasinghe, as well as the whole Uva Wellassa University. When I arrived in Badulla, it was the day that marked the beginning of the lockdown and the nation-wide curfew, which would become our normality for the next two months. During this time, following the vice-chancellor's decision, Professor Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera, I was offered free accommodation inside the campus as well as free transportation to the city centre for essentials shopping. For the next three months, every staff member at the campus made sure I would feel like home, something so crucial during a time of isolation. Words could never describe how grateful I am to each and every one of them for teaching me the essence of solidarity and hospitality. -
A Commentary on Mitochondrial DNA History of Sri Lankan Ethnic People: Their Relations Within the Island and with the Indian Subcontinental Populations
Journal of Human Genetics (2014) 59, 61–63 & 2014 The Japan Society of Human Genetics All rights reserved 1434-5161/14 www.nature.com/jhg COMMENTARY Language isolates and their genetic identity: a commentary on mitochondrial DNA history of Sri Lankan ethnic people: their relations within the island and with the Indian subcontinental populations Gyaneshwer Chaubey Journal of Human Genetics (2014) 59, 61–63; doi:10.1038/jhg.2013.122; published online 21 November 2013 outh Asia is the home to more than a understanding of their genetic structuring, The first genetic study of Vedda along Sfifth of the world’s population, and is whereas genetic information from Nepal, with other Asian populations suggested thought, on genetic grounds, to have been Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the their long period of isolation.13 However, the first main reservoir in the dispersal Maldives are either published at the level of the analysis of alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein of modern humans Out of Africa.1,2 forensic data or restricted to few populations. allele frequencies supports the view that Additionally, high level of endogamy within Being at the offshoot of southernmost tip of the Veddas are biologically most closely and between various castes, along with the South Asia and along the proposed southern related to the Sinhalese.14 Till date, a high- influence of several evolutionary forces and migration route, the island of Sri Lanka has resolution genetic data was not available long-term effective population size, facilitate long been settled by various ethnic groups from this population and their affinity with the formation of complex demographic and may offer a unique insight into initial other populations of Eurasia remained 3 history of the subcontinent. -
RACIAL, RELIGIOUS and IDEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES The
CHAPTER III RACIAL, RELIGIOUS AND IDEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES I The roots of the Sinhal a-Tami 1 problem go back more than two thousand years^_ Though the conflict is known as an ethnic conflict the role of religions and ideologies ! connected with them colored with contrary historical perceptions believed for centuries together, has played a . t major role that a rational dialogue between the Sinhalese and Tamils seem impossible. Religious division has taken place in such a way that being a Buddhist implies being a Sinhalese, and being a Hindu implies being a Tamil. If political consideration and advantages l;ave given filling to this division, mythology and tpeligious books and beliefs have added tremendously to this. The Mahavamsa links the story of the landing of Vijaya, "The ethnic origin myth" to a series of religious myths regarding the position of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as ordained by Buddha. According to the Chronicle Vijaya 1 landed on the day Buddha attained Nibhana." This I statement vests the 'origin myth' with a religious, significance. Even more significant is the assertion in the chronicle that an important incident took place just before his death "the guide of the world (Buddha)" having 54 accomplished the good of the whole world, attained the supreme moment of bliss and was lying on his death bed. The great sage, the noblest among speakers took Sakka (a name for Indra, the Lord of Gods) who was standing by him there in the vast assemT)Ty of deities: "King Sinhabahu's son, Vijaya, from Lala-country has reached Lanka, together with seven hundred followers. -
From Aristocrats to Primitives: an Interview with Gananath Obeyesekere
IIAS | P.O. Box 9515 | 2300 RA Leiden | The Netherlands | T +31-71-527 2227 | F +31-71-527 4162 | [email protected] | www.iias.nl Website: www.IIAS.nl (fragment) <Theme: (1995). Harsh Goenka, Bombay. Bombay. Goenka, Harsh (1995). Psychiatry in Asia Dr. Patels’s Clinic-Lamington Road Clinic-Lamington Patels’s Dr. Atul Dodiya, Dodiya, Atul 30 page 6-11 March 2003 | the IIAS newsletter is published by the IIAS and is available free of charge ¶ p.33 From Aristocrats to Primitives An Interview with Gananath Obeyesekere Gananath Obeyesekere lives on a mountaintop in Kandy. From his eyrie he has a sweeping panorama of the Interview > eastern hills of Sri Lanka, and it is in those hills where the wild Veddas were once supposed to have lived, 7 South Asia according to Sri Lankan histories and stories. These Veddas are the focus of his present research. By Han ten Brummelhuis happened to the Veddas who once lived in this part of the country? he genealogy of Obeyesekere’s research project can be ‘Then, as my fieldwork and thinking progressed, I asked Ttraced back to a classic work, The Veddas, written by myself: if the Veddas were in this vast region north of the area The connection between algebra and Asia is laid bare laid is Asia and algebra between connection The Charles and Brenda Seligmann in 1911. The Veddas were first in which the Seligmanns did their fieldwork, let me figure ¶ recognized in anthropological terms as a classic hunting and out whether they existed in other parts of the country, too. -
© DLIFLC | I SRI LANKA in Perspective an Orientation Guide
SRI LANKA in Perspective An Orientation Guide © DLIFLC | i SRI LANKA in Perspective An Orientation Guide TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: GEOGRAPHY......................................................................................................... 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1 Geographic Divisions and Topographic Features .................................................................... 1 Knuckles Mountains ......................................................................................................... 2 Hanthana Mountains ......................................................................................................... 2 Sabaragamuwa Mountains ................................................................................................ 2 Climate ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Rivers and Bodies of Water ..................................................................................................... 3 Indian Ocean ..................................................................................................................... 3 Bay of Bengal ................................................................................................................... 3 Palk Bay ............................................................................................................................ 4 -
Sri Lankan, Low-Country, Ritual Drumming: the Raigama Tradition
Sri Lankan, Low-Country, Ritual Drumming: The Raigama Tradition Sumuditha Suraweera (88054652) A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Canterbury August 2009 Principal Supervisor: Elaine Dobson Assistant Supervisor: Dr. Roger Buckton Contents List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... v List of Figures ..................................................................................................................... v Abstract .............................................................................................................................. ix Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. x System of Transliteration .................................................................................................. xii Key to Musical Transcriptions ......................................................................................... xiii Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1 Low-Country Drumming in the Contemporary Context .................................................. 20 1.1 The traditional Sinhala Buddhist pantheon ............................................................. 20 1.2 Ritual in Sinhala Buddhism ................................................................................... -
The Sinhalese Diaspora in the United Kingdom
The Sinhalese Buddhist Diaspora in the United Kingdom: Negotiating Sinhalese Identity By Nandasinghe Arachchige Jitendra Wijenayake A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Liverpool John Moores University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy November 2019 DECLARATION I, Nandasinghe Arachchige Jitendra Wijenayake, confirm that the work presented in this thesis is my own. Where information has been derived from other sources, I confirm this has been indicated in the thesis. Nandasinghe Arachchige Jitendra Wijenayake Total word count: 83462 words i Acknowledgements Firstly, I wish to express my sincere thanks to my first Director of Study, Prof. David Chalcraft, for giving me this opportunity in the first place and guiding me through the first three years of my PhD with his expert knowledge. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr Simone Krüger Bridge, who assumed the role of Director of Study in the last year of completing my PhD, for guiding me through the final writing up and examination stage. Sincere thanks also go to Dr Sara Parker for her continuous support of my PhD study and related research. Their guidance helped me in all the time of research and writing of this thesis. I could not have imagined of having better supervisors and mentors for my Ph.D. study. Besides my supervisors, I would also like to thank all the members of the Sinhala Buddhist community in the United Kingdom, including the participants, Gatekeepers and all the resources providers for their kindness and support. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to everyone who supported me throughout my PhD study.