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Start date: 2010End date: 2019

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 19
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    A review of giving of tulābāra dāna by kings of ancient Lanka
    (Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2013) Jayathilaka, W.A.H.
    The means of the donation of equivalent fraction (tulābāra dāna) is, to donate wealth to the people to match the weight of a person. In brief, it is a donation of wealth, equal to one's weight measured by a weighing scale. The kings became popular owing to this practice. The donations were done in various ways. Among them the tulābāra dāna was a special kind of giving. The objective of this research is to evaluate the donations made by the rulers who lived in Anurādhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms. (6 B. C.-1215 A. C.) In India too, records show the showering of wealth according to weight of a person. This is evident from the Jātaka stories. It is mentioned that they have donated wealth, equal to the weight of their animals, too. Furthermore in this research I expect to identify the items which were given as tulābāra dāna. Even though it was done by the King personally, later it facilitated welfare for the people. As the methodology of this research I have studied part II of Mahāwaṃsa and Epigraphy as primary sources. The method of donation was changed after the kingdom of Anurādhapura. King Nissankamalla was a great practitioner of this art of giving. The existence of the above practice cannot be seen after the Polonnaruwa Period. The tulābāra dāna was practiced in a ceremonial way, according to ancient rituals.
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    Sabaragamu Kirimadu ceremonial dance and rituals (A study based on Divisional Secretariat of Kalawana, Rathnapura District)
    (Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2013) Kumara, R.K.C.; Sandamali, R.M.A.
    There is a great deal of evidence of ceremonial dances and rituals all over the island of Sri Lanka. Among them Kirimadu, GiniMadu, Gammadu, Pahanmadu, Devolmadu take a prominent place. Amongst these, Kirimadu ceremonial dance could be identified as a specific ceremonial dance confined to Sabaragamuwa Province. From ancient times, this traditional ceremonial dance has been conducted to bring prosperity for all people, for the protection of crops, and to get rid of diseases and epidemics and for the great hope of development of the entire area. This study focusses on the Kalawana Secretariat in the Rathnapura District. The main objective of the study is to identify the traditions and rituals of ceremonial dance. Among the other objectives are to investigate the historical background, look into the reasons why the ceremonial dance is in the open, the identification of its social values as well as the prevailing new trends. To gain this we utilized face to face interviews, semi- structured interviews and field observation for data collecting. Through this study we were able to identify many rituals of ceremonial dance in Sabaragamuwa. Among them were the Aluth deviyange kotasa, Thota pe kireema, Magul bera wadanaya, Wee keteema, Nokku batha piseema, Hathpada pelapaliya, Kiri ithiraweema, Peduru paliya, Mee kedeema, Nanu muraya, Atha bandeema, Andi gura nateema, Paththini kannalawwa, Mal paliya nateema, Roti pideema, Muruthan wadeema and Madu hamaraya. The above mentioned rituals are the main aspects of the ceremonial dance. However, the busy and restless life of the average individuals of the area, the rapid progress and development and advancement of science and drug manufacturing, and accelerated progress of infrastructural networks have paved the way for the speedy diminishing of this ancient, ceremonial dance.
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    Kingship during the Kotte Period of the history of Sri Lanka
    (Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2013) Sudharmawathi, J.M.
    According to historical sources the Aryans who started settlements in 6th century B.C., accepted their leader as the ruler of the kingdom. Thus Vijaya is regarded as the first king of Sri Lanka. The customs which originated from the time of King Vijaya established themselves as traditions. The capital which was situated in Anuradhapura shifted to various places of the country from time to time. Kotte was one such place. Kotte developed as the capital during the first half of the 15th Century A.C. King Parakkramabahu VI developed Kotte, which was only a fortress at the beginning, into a full fledged capital city in 1415 A.C. The objective of this paper is to examine whether the kings of Kotte from 1415 A.C. to 1597 A.C. ruled according to the established norms on kingship. There is a large amount of tradition regarding kingship in Sri Lanka. Among them, traditions on inheritance to the throne as the main one. Moreover, conditions such is belonging to the Kshatriya clan for enthronement, the position of Yuvaraja, and his right to the throne were important. The mutual bond between kingship and Buddhism was also a major characteristic. It was revealed that while some rulers of Kotte acted according to these traditions some tended to overlook them. This study examines many factors, which were considered alternatives to tradition.
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    Identifying the clans and the famous cities in Vinaya commentaries 7th B.C.E to the 6rd B.C.E.
    (14th Annual research symposium, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2013) Manatunga, D.K.
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    An Examination of Relations between Lanka and Other Countries: with Special Reference to Yapahuwa Period of Sri Lankan History
    (5TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF SOCIETY OF SOUTH ASIAN ARCHAEOLOGY, 2014) Wanninayaka Sudharmawathie
    After the decline of Rajarata civilization, the Kingdoms of the country shifted to the Southwest. Hereafter, locations were chosen as capitals based on defense. Yapahuwa was also such place which became the seat of rule for a brief period. The place at Yapahuwa was built on a rock which was situated in the middle of a valley. The only king who ruled from Yapahuwa was King Bhuvanekabahu I. However, his reign at Yapahuwa is noted in the history of Sri Lanka because of various relations with foreign countries. The objective of this paper is to discuss the nature of foreign relations of Lanka during the Yapahuwa Period. Both Primary and Secondary Sources were used to gather relevant facts and information to achieve the assigned objective. In interpreting data, both literary and archaeological sources were used. It is clear that Lanka had relation with South India, China and Egypt at the time. The nature of these relations varied and there were political, trade and religious relations. When considering the South Indian invasions at the time, it can be said that the invasions was a continuation of previous such invasions to the island. However, as depicted by the architectural remains there were also cordial relations with foreign countries during this period. Bhuvanekabahu I can be considered as a king who made an effort to develop foreign trade. This fact is very clear from his policy of continuing the trade activities with china which was initiated during the Anuradhapura Period. Lanka became a part of the international trade activities carriedout through the Indian Ocen. This had affected positively to Lankan economy.
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    Legends on North India 6th B.C.E to the 3rd B.C.E.
    (Annual research symposium, Legends on North India 6th B.C.E to the 3rd B.C.E. University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2010) Manatunga, D.K.
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    THE ECONOMIC CONDOTIONS OF THE DAMBADENIYA PERIOD AS DEPICTED BY THE ROYAL DONATIONS TO THE BUDDHIST SANGHA
    (2ND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL SCIENCES, 22-13 NOVEMBER 2013 FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF KELANIYA, 2013) Wanninayaka Sudharmawathie
    This paper focuses on the relationship between the economic conditions of the Dambadeniya Period and the Royal Donations to the Buddhist Sangha. The political instability during the last phase of the Rajarata civilization resulted in shifting of the capital to Dambadeniya. King Vijayabahu III was able to manage the political conditions of the Maya Rata with Dambadeniya as the center of administration. He managed to create a political atmosphere which enabled himself and his successor to develop religious and economic conditions in the kingdom. Until the 13th century AD the economy of the dry zone depended on the system of irrigation developed by the past kings. Although the seat of administration shifted to the South-west with the establishment of the Dambadeniya kingdom economic conditions of the country did not undergo a radical change. However trade was gradually becoming a very important sector in the economy. This was probably due to the political stability and the geographical conditions of the South-west i.e. the natural harbours. As a result of these combined economic activities the economic conditions of the Dambadeniya Period were relatively good. In 1215 AD Magha, of Kalinga in South India, invade the island and captured power in Polonnaruwa. He followed a deliberate policy of destroying Buddhism. He and his forces started harassing the Sangha and destrying places of Buddhist worship in Rajarata. Therefore the main challenge faced by Dambadeniya Kings was to restore Buddhism to its past glory. Dambadeniya rulers worked tirelessly for the development of Buddhism as the state religion. The royal donations to the Buddhist Sangha were one step taken by these kings the view of developing Buddhism. According to many sources almost all the royal donations this period have been made with the objective of protecting and stabilizing Buddhism as a religion. The objective of this paper is to find out the connection between the positive economic conditions of the Dambadeniya period and the Royal Donations to the Sangha. Primary sources, both literary and archaeological, would be analyzed for this end. It is clear from the primary historical sources that the favourable economic conditions of the Dambadeniya period enabled the kings to donate immensely to the Buddhist institutions and the Sangha, and as a result, the stability and strength of Buddhism as the state religion improved.