Browsing by Author "Witharana, T."

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Conceptualization of Local Combat Identity revealed through Battle of Gannoruwa (AIPAR & AIPA Loop Concept)
(19th Conference on Postgraduate Research, International Postgraduate Research Conference 2018, Faculty of Graduate Studies,University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2018) Witharana, T.
The Portuguese, who has invaded Kandyan Kingdom in 1592 , 1603 and 1630, faced massive defeats from Kandyan army. By the year 1638, King Rajasinghe II, the King of Kandy, was planned to banish the Portuguese with support of Dutch. Portuguese captain general Diogo de Melo de Castro's intention was to invade the Kandyan Kingdom and subjugate entire Sri Lanka before King Rajasinghe's aim was achieved. By this very idea, in 1638, King Rajasingha strategically allowed the Portuguese to enter his territory and he was retreated to Medamahanuwara. Finally, King Rajasinghe defeated the Portuguese at Gannoruwa with the support of the King Wijayapala, the ruler of Matale. This study depends on secondary data and basically it is a historic battle analysis. Main objective of this study is to expose the Local Combat Identity through the analysis of Gannoruwa battle. Researcher proposes that the Manoeuvrist Approach is applicable to analyze the Gannoruwa Battle. The Gannoruwa Battle analysis which based on the three components of Manoeuvrist Aapproach is as follows. 1. Defeating the enemy’s will to fight. – The Portuguese who invaded Kandy had conspired to get the support from King Wijayapala of Matale. The King Rajasinghe who had identified the trick in advance, completely defeated the will to fight of the Portuguese. 2. Defeating the enemy’s Centre of gravity – It means that, identifying and attacking the powerful but risky source of enemy's battle power. Although the Portuguese awaited the support of King Wijayapala, Rajasingha who had broken that target and assaulted Portuguese by using King Wijayapala's troops in Gunnaruwa. 3. Attacking the enemy’s decision making process by getting inside his decision making cycle - The OODA loop concept, which was introduced by US colonel John Boyd is use to describe this. Observe, Orientate, Decide and Act are 4 components of OODA loop. According to the OODA loop Kandyans watched the enemy, adapted themselves to the situation of the enemy, decided the best time and best way to attack and finally they attacked. Kandyans have used military technology and plans which were apposite to their geography and defeated more powerful and experienced Portuguese force. The researcher suggests the concept of AIPAR & AIPA loop which was displayed by Kandyan force in Gannoruwa battle is more advanced than the OODA loop concept. It is presented that, understanding of the enemy through stages of Analyze, Identify, Prepare, Act and Response with the understanding of own force through stages of Analyze, Identify, Prepare and Act. This new AIPAR & AIPA loop concept can be used successfully in the creation of an Army doctrine with Sri Lankan identity for Sri Lanka Army
Military Analysis of Advance Phase of the Vijithapura Battle
(International Postgraduate Research Conference 2019, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Abeykoon, B.A.T.S.; Witharana, T.
Vijithapura Battle was the first recorded professional battle in Sri Lankan history, which is fought between King Dutugamunu and the Chola invader King Elara. Although there were numerous literature sources can be identified, it was really emphasized the incidents of the history. Even though it was not analyzed in military eye sight, it was a significant battle which displayed the indigenous military knowledge of Sri Lanka. This research totally based on the secondary data sources and the research approach fully acquiesces with qualitative method. Scope of this research is to analyze the advance phase of the Vijithapura Battle using present day battle appreciation format of Sri Lanka Army. King Dutugamunu’s force had to advance nearly 2 years in various terrain and the weather conditions until they reached Vijithapura. Along his advance King Dutugamunu had to fight against 36 Generals of King Elara who were deployed along the Mahavali River. By utilizing indigenous military tactics of spies, creating dissension among the enemy and deception methods such as set up his own effigy in different places King Dutugamunu was able to defeat all of them. During the long march between Magama and Vijithapura the force of King Dutugemunu has considered many factors which are not having much recognition of the present day battle appreciation format. Basically, they consider number of facts such as weather condition throughout the march. Where else in the present military context earmarked only few concentrations regarding that fact in the battle appreciation formats. When the Battle of Vijithapura is analyzed, it can be mentioned that, though the weather factor is not concerned much it has influenced directly for the succession of the battle. Establishing of base camp and protection are other fact that King Dutugamunu was highly concerned where else present military not concerning during the advance. Weather and the base camp strategies are the things that should be embedded to the present advance appreciation format for the battle success.
The Parallel Thinking Pattern of Humans in Developing Military Weapons
(International Postgraduate Research Conference 2019, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Witharana, T.
World history and military history which are on par can be discussed neither analyzed individually when the bound historical events and wars are concerned. Therefore, the source of man-made weapons in the military history is often apparent to be connected with the quotidian routine of the ancient man. Ancient weapons used in the battles are recorded to have been manufactured in different parts of the world, but with many similarities seemingly. In this study, the researcher has studied about the evolution of primary weapons and then analyzed the below mentioned groups of weapons which display identical parallel thinking patterns of human beings. This research is mainly based on secondary data and the research approach totally complies with qualitative method. According to the analysis the Native Australians’ Boomerang and the ancient Egyptians’ Throwing Stick, Sword and the Macahuitl of which the sides are embedded with prismatic obsidian blades, the Native Americans’ Gunstock and Native Samoans’ War Club to be similar thinking patterns is illustrated here. In addition, the Indian Katar which is a type of push dagger and the Native Americans’ all-purpose knife Ulu are two hand held weapons which exhibit similar grasping. Though these weapons were the same in their shape, exterior features, utility and the way of grasping, the men who manufactured these weapons were far away from each other and did not exchange knowledge among them. So, it concludes that, while they lived in different locations of the world, they have displayed a parallel thinking pattern in weapon development. It can be assumed that, similar pressures experienced by the past man had directed him to similar manufactures and development of weapons