Browsing by Author "Indika, M.K.A."

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Archeological remains from Doranagoda vicinity in Gampaha District
(Research Symposium 2009 - Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2009) Indika, M.K.A.
This paper is based on a preliminary archaeological survey which covered four villages of Minuwangoda regional secretary division of Gampaha district including Doranagoda, Korase, Vatumulla and Asgiriya. Literary survey, field survey and interviews were carried out to understand ancient human activities of the relevant area. Archaeological remains of the area belong to a large chronological range from early historic period to the British period, which comprises inscriptions, coins, pottery, structural remains, caves with drip ledges and small scale tanks. Most of the artifacts are still unpublished and one inscription and two fragmentary inscriptions are among them. Largest hoard of the punch mark coins in Sri Lanka is the most important archaeological finding of the area. In comparison with that numismatic evidence, some literary evidence suggests to understand a possible historical background of the well developed mercantile activities of the area in early historic period. An palm leaf manuscript belonging to the category of ‘Vitti pota’ ,Which describes the history of the genealogy of prince Sumitta, who is the legendary founder of Doranagoda village and some selected events of Doranagoda raja maha vihara is an important historical source. But its authenticity and reliability can not be established due to the lack of other sources.
Buddha as a guardian of the harvest: new interpretation on a spatial model of the image houses on pillars in Gampaha District
(Research Symposium 2009 - Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2009) Indika, M.K.A.
Ten image houses on pillars are remained in Gampaha district, which can be assigned from 17th to 20th century A.D. These monuments have an immense importance in studying religious, social, economical, technological and aesthetic status of the contemporary society. It is noteworthy that all the buildings were designed to be placed towards the nearby paddy fields, except one instance. This means that the Buddha statues of the image houses are facing to the paddy fields. But facing directions of those buildings are varied to each other. When that phenomenon is analyzed in a border sense with geographical and environmental factors, location of paddy fields, economic status of the period, religious concepts, agrarian rituals and plan of the image houses on pillars, it becomes clear that was a conscious intentional action. Rural economy of the relevant area in that period was based on wet rice cultivation. This area belong to the low land wet Zone of the country, which hasn’t suitable environmental conditions for rice cultivation due to high rainfall, damages of insects and weeds. Colonial administrative policies and new tax amendments, struggles between the Kandian kingdom and colonial powers caused to worsen the hardships confronted by the farmers. In the circumstances, they may have intended to get blessings of Buddha to protect their harvest from environmental factors and other elements as well. This was architecturally symbolized by being placed image houses on pillars of the area towards nearby paddy fields.
Enhancing the community based tourism of Vedda community in Dambana
(Research Symposium 2010 - Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2010) Indika, M.K.A.
Utilizing tourism as a social development strategy can be identified as a developing trend among the indigenous societies of the modern world. Although, it is not officially stated, the tourism centered on the Wannilaaththo heritage center in Dambana belong to the category of community tourism in accordance to its main characteristics. The main objectives of this study are analyzing positive and negative impacts of the tourism, identifying problems and lapses associated with it and recognizing potentials for tourism development. In this context, the attention is focused on proposing tourism development strategies for Dambana Vedda community, which can be used for the sustainable development while increasing the community participation, protecting the traditional cultural elements, their authenticity and natural environment. Generally, the tourists spend relatively short time within the community and lack of activities for them cause to the occurrence of low expenditure at the destination. Tourism has affected to protect certain cultural elements representing their identity. Tourism has made some Vedda people to be more materialized and modernized. In the development of tourism, it is essential to combining the concepts of community tourism with social, cultural and economic sphere of Vedda community in Dambana. Development of number of new destinations, introducing new activities and package tours, improvement of tourist facilities, advertising for niche markets and increasing community participation are main issues of the tourism development. It is proposed to build a small eco-lodge, which will be managed by the community and establishment of a traditional craft and product center and tourist information center. Introducing home stay concept, volun-tourism, community based ecotourism, agro tourism and creative tourism would yield successful results.
From jungle to village and village to cyber world: social dynamics and Vadda community in Dambana (An ethno archaeological perspective)
(Research Symposium 2010 - Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2010) Wijesuriya, D.; Indika, M.K.A.
Archaeology is the study of change and it focuses attention on how human societies and their material culture alter and evolve. Analysis and understanding of change lies at the heart of the archaeological endeavor. The study of social dynamics and affected factors of relatively simple societies such as Vadda people has become a main objective in ethno archaeology. This field investigation was conducted among the Vadda people in Dambana with special emphasis on the changes in material culture. In the past, they carried out their traditional hunting and gathering life style as a simple society. Then this community adapted to the settled agro-pastoral life due to the number of social, economic and political factors. Now they have started to join with the cyber world as a result of external influences. Not only the subsistence pattern changed but also most aspects of the life has subjected to the same phenomenon. According to the extent of adaptations two groups can be identified within the Vadda people in Dambana who have different views on the issue. One group has adapted to the Sinhalese culture and the other try to follow the traditional culture for some extent. Number of factors such as losing the traditional lands to continue their hunting and gathering subsistence strategy due to the establishment of Maduruoya national park, deforestation and settlement expansion and development polices of the government, cultural and biological mixture with Sinhalese people, tourism and so on cause to the dynamics of the Vadda community in Dambana. The main problem they have been facing is to protect traditional elements of the culture as far as possible within the modern socio economic realities.
Heritage management and tourism development in Dambadeniya
(Research Symposium 2010 - Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2010) Indika, M.K.A.
Dambadeniya was a capital city and main religious center of ancient Sri Lanka during 13 CAD. The archaeological site comprises from ancient fortress, Vijayasundararama monastery and Vaduvaketugala. Relevant site is situated close to the Dambadeniya town and modern settlements of the area are expanded rapidly. Construction of factories, roads and houses, renovations of the monastery, other anthropogenic factors and environmental factors badly affected to the archaeological heritage. There are problems and lapses pertaining with site maintenance, tourist facilities, tourist guidance and advertising. In these circumstances, it has become essential to mange heritage combing with modern development strategies. Due to the richness of archaeological and religious heritage which is fuel for cultural tourism and availability of well developed road network there is a huge potential for development of tourism. In the process of heritage management, conservation, new research programmes, proper maintenance procedure and public participation are crucial factors. A structural body is proposed to be formed named Dambadeniya heritage committee in hope of taking community participation for archaeological works and heritage management. It must comprise archaeology officers, chief incumbent of the monastery, gramaniladari officer, chief officer of the police station, principle of the Dambadeniya maha vidyalaya, business community of the town and president of Dambadeni heritage protection organization. This will function as coordinating, relationship development and fund raising body. The tourism development programme must be designed with special emphasis on improvement of tourist facilities, guidance and promotion activities. Developing adventure tourism at Vaduvaketugala and attraction of Buddhist religious tourists from East and South East Asian countries can be identified as possible programmes.
Impact of tourism on archaeological heritage in Sri Lanka
(Research Symposium 2010 - Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2010) Indika, M.K.A.
Archaeological tourism has been an important niche within the adjectival tourism in the world. Both international and domestic tourism of the island highly depend on the archaeological heritage as one of the major tourist attractions. Sri Lanka has a rich archaeological heritage including six out of the eight world heritage sites of the island are archaeological and thousands of other sites. At the present context, there is a huge potential to ameliorate archaeological tourism. In the process of development of the sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka, positive and negative impacts of tourism on archaeological heritage must be evaluated correctly and heritage management strategies should be improved. Tourism is main potential source for development of archaeology in the island. The income of tourism gained by archaeological heritage sites and related institutions can be used for further research works such as explorations, excavations and so on. The priority must be given to conservation, maintenance of sites and welfare of employees is another important issue. Tourist pressure badly affects to the sites and the experiences of tourists as well. It can be observed that behaviors of domestic tourists and foreign tourists make different impacts on archaeological heritage. Deterioration of archaeological heritage, exportation of artifacts and losing of authenticity are main negative factors. Policy making, promotion, maintenance and management of sites, improvement of tourist facilities, site presentation and development of unpopular sites are major issues should be highly concerned within the sustainable development of the both forms of archaeological tourism. The collaboration of government institutions related with archaeology and tourism, community organizations and tourism agencies in private sector is very important in this process.
Pilgrims and Merits:History of Buddhist Religious Tourism and Related Cultural Aspects in Ancient Sri Lanka
(S. Godage and Brothers (Pvt) Ltd, 675, P. de S. Kularatne Mw., Colombo 10, Sri Lanka, 2014) Indika, M.K.A.
අභිලේඛනවලින් හෙළිවන ශ‍්‍රී ලංකාවේ විදේශ වෙළඳ සම්බන්ධතා
(S. Godage and Brothers (Pvt) Ltd, 675, P. de S. Kularatne Mw., Colombo 10, Sri Lanka, 2014) Indika, M.K.A.