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| Friday, 6 September 2002 |
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Towards a deeper understanding of the past
Society, State and Religion in Pre-modern Sri Lanka
There is a large amount of source materials bearing on the pre-modern history of Sri Lanka. They are of a varied and complex character. Literary texts and epigraphic records, which are in abundance, are in many languages that were spoken and used either locally or outside the country. Among the chronicles, which are not too few indeed, the Mahawansa is unique as it contains information on major aspects of the history and culture of Sri Lanka, spread over a period of nearly 2000 years. It has exerted a dominant influence on historical thinking up to our own times. The Mahawansa, the best known among the Pali chronicles, has been edited and translated by eminent scholars of high reputation. Yet the other Pali chronicles and miscellaneous works are not so well known and therefore, the materials found in them have not been used for historical investigation except in a few cases. Those chronicles and other records are significant because of the consideration that they contain information, which supplements the material found in the Mahvansa, and in many instances they concern matters about which the Mahavansa does not record any information. The Upasakajanalankara is one of such texts which, as shown by Professor Liyanagamage throws welcome light on a less-known aspect of Sri Lanka's relations with South India during the 13th Century. Now-a-days historians are conscious of the importance of archaeology as a primary source of history. There is also an abundance of archaeological materials pertaining to the ancient and medieval periods of Sri Lankan history in such large numbers that it has not been possible to prepare comprehensive catalogues and descriptions of all monuments and artefacts, which have hitherto been found. In the recent past, under the auspices of the Cultural Triangle a very large amount of materials had been unearthed. Yet all of them have not been catalogued and made available to the students and researchers. When the task is completed many facets of Sri Lankan history have to be reviewed and reconstructed in the light of that evidence. It is against this background that the research endeavour of Amaradasa Liyanagamage becomes highly significant and relevant for those concerned for understanding the past. Society, State and Religion in Pre-modern Sri Lanka brings together in one volume essays written at various stages of his distinguished academic career by Amaradasa Liyanagamage, Emeritus Professor of History of the University of Kelaniya. It is a most valuable contribution in the field of Sri Lankan history in recent times. It is as well a prestigious publication commemorating three anniversaries, the 50th anniversary of Sri Lankan Independence, the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the University of Kelaniya and the 125th anniversary of the commencement of the Vidyalankara Pirivena. It is a book,which will be read with enthusiasm by laymen as well as professional historians. The professional excellence displayed in the production of this book with its graceful finish which befits the quality of its contents is noteworthy. =========================== Speeches of a remarkable character Reflections on a changing society by W.T.A. Leslie Fernando A died-in-the wool Catholic, former High Court Judge Warnakulasuriya Thomas Aquinas Leslie Fernando, is a remarkable character. Before he retired from the judiciary he had been a President of the Students' Council of the University of Peradeniya; a political activist; a teacher; a lawyer; a magistrate; a popular public speaker and a prolific writer. He is the son of Mr. Santiago Fernando, a renowned schoolteacher from Negombo, who was a comrade in arms of the Samasamagist Dr. Hector Fernando, who was elected MP for Katana in 1956. Leslie Fernando seems to have grown up in a home background of political radicalism and Catholic conservatism. He had inherited the gift of invective from his father who publicly supported the campaign for free education launched in the 1940s by its revered Father, Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara. He thereby earned the opprobrium of the Roman Catholic Church, which sacked Mr. Santiago Fernando from his teaching post. Though he lost his job, he did not lose his faith in Jesus Christ. Indeed, he used to tell everyone who would listen to him, that by opposing free education, the Roman Catholic Church of this country at that time, was betraying the commitment of Jesus Christ to the poor and the meek. Leslie Fernando hero-worshipped his father and is proud of his paternal intellectual inheritance. He has dedicated his book to the memory of his father, who inspired him, as he puts it, "to speak the Truth, stand for the Truth, and fight for the Truth". What a man with such an intellectual, emotional and professional background writes out of the fullness of his experience of life should be interesting and his book reviewed here is absorbingly so. It came out in 1997 and I received a gift copy of it. It was lying on my bedside table until the other day. However, once I picked up the slim volume and started reading it I found it unputdownable. The book comprises the texts of ten speeches Leslie Fernando had delivered during the period 1994 to 1996. Some of them had been given in Sinhala but LF is clearly bilingual with a vengeance. He has classified his speeches under three heads. The first four are under the head "Law and Society"; the next four under the head "Society, Culture and Religion" and the last two under the head "Humour". - Carlo Fonscka =========================== Welcome addition to legal literature "Selected Essays on Industrial and Civil Law" Reviewed by R.S. Karunaratne "Selected Essays on Industrial Law and Civil Law" is a collection of well-written essays on the Rule of Law and Natural Justice termination of employment, the independent contractor, occupational accidents in factories, domestic disciplinary inquiries into misconduct, essentials of a simple contract maintenance law, rent law and ejectment proceedings. The opening essay on the Rule of Law and Natural Justice traces their origin and growth. For instance, in the medieval ages the king was the fountain of justice. Today, however, royal supremacy has been replaced by supremacy of parliament. Defining the concept of Rule of Law the author says that it means absence of arbitrary power on the part of the government and no man is above the law. This is followed by an essay on "Some aspects of termination of employment under the Industrial Disputes Act" which is useful to both employees and employers. Most of the cases coming before Labour Tribunals reveal that employees come before them regarding cases involving alleged "misconduct" on their part. The author not only defines what "misconduct" is but also cites relevant case law to explain the intricacies. The chapter entitled "The independent contractor" throws light on the law of employment that has remained a blend of three basic policies: the protection and guidance of a distinctive social relationship that came to be known as "employer and employee"; the regulation of terms and conditions of employment; and the freedom of contract. Over the years the master and servant relationship has increasingly given way to the concept of "contract". In modern law however, two types of service - the contract of service and the contract for services - have come to stay. Citing relevant case law the author has defined the two concepts in detail. =========================== 110 years of Mahinda The Mahinda College Magazine 2002 Edited by:Cadmus Samarasinha, The 110th Anniversary Magazine of Mahinda College, Galle depicts an impression of the Olcott hall in colour on its cover. The editorial explains in detail the illuminating character of the 'Man' that was Frank Lee Woodward and also the 'Woodward tradition' he left behind for posterity. The editors say, 'In this issue of the magazine we have devoted a separate chapter for the dignitaries who have visited Mahinda. This is to remind them that know, and to make the others aware that Mahinda is a hallowed ground and that it should be treated as such.' Forty various group photos in colour, pertaining to the many activities of the present day students are a feature in this publication. This magazine is a great credit to Mahinda, its present principal D. K. Athukorala and to the Chief Editor Cadmus Samarasinha. - K. de Silva =========================== International Book Exhibition of SLBPA Sri Lanka Book Publishers' Association, the national organisation representing Sri Lanka in the international bodies in association with the Bandaranaike Commemoration Foundation is to hold its "Fourth International Book Fair" from Sept. 10th to 15th at the BMICH, Colombo 07. There will be nearly two hundred exhibition stalls, Book Publishers' Association President, H. D. Premasiri has said in a press release. Indian, American, British and Singapore book publishers and their representatives will participate in this event. There will be Author-Reader meetings and discussions, training programmes for writers and translators, a workshop for children under-18 years in drawing pictures, an exhibition of photographs and drawings by schoolchildren held islandwide and many more cultural programmes. Sybil Wettesinghe, eminent writer and artist specialised in children's books will conduct the children's arts workshop. 'Colour Products' are the sponsors of this programme. This wor\kshop will go on for three days. The other workshop for children's drawing will be held by Champani Devika Devaraja, arts teacher and presenter of the children's art programme of the Sri Lanka National Television (SLRC) Talk Show 'Ayubowan'. PENTEL products is sponsoring this programme. Books with maximum discount will be on sale in all bookstalls during the six day exhibition of books. A significant national event during the festive month of September dedicated for authors-readers, this will be the fourth International Book Fair of the Sri Lanka Book Publishers' Association. The association represents almost every publisher in the island. the National Library and Documentation Services Board, the Sri Lanka Book Development Council, Department of Cultural Affairs, the Sinhala Literary Panel of the Arts Council, People's Writers Front, Isipatana College and many more institutions and organisations are assisting these programmes. =========================== Four notable publications to be launched
Visidunu Prakashakayo is bringing out four eminent publications - "Jaathyanuragaya - Samaja Shasthirya Vimarshanayak" by Prof. K.N.O. Dharmadasa, "Davy Dutu Lankawa" by Elleola H.M. Somaratne (a translation of "An Account of the Interior of Ceylon and of its Inhabitants with Travels in that Island" by John Davy), "Napoleon" by M.D.H. Seneviratne (a translation of Emil Ludwig's classic work "Napoleon") and "Paschaath Navyavaadaya" by Prof. Wimal Dissanayake. These books will be launched on the 10th of September, 2002 at the BMICH, Colombo International Book Fair (Stall No. 24). |
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Produced by Lake House |
History is sometimes said to be an interaction between the past and the
present. According to this perception the glimpses of the past could vary
from time to time and also on account of the concerns and accomplishments
of the viewers. The study of history is interesting and exciting because
the knowledge of the past is an ever growing one. One could not claim to
have a monopoly of the truth in relation to the past. As one delves deeper
the image of the past becomes brighter.
