Book Reviews
Glimpse into the past with an insightful eye
Lanka the Land of Kings
Author: J.B. Disanayaka (Sarasavi Bookshop, Nugegoda)
by Ranga Chandrarathne
"Lanka the Land of Kings" by ambassador - designate to Thailand and
Cambodia, Emeritus Professor J.B. Disanayaka is, perhaps, the best gift
that Sri Lanka could give to the diplomatic community at a time the
contemporary history of the island has been misinterpreted and distorted
by parties with vested interests.
Professor Disanayaka, who has written 133 books during a period of
four decades, is an academic of international repute and his latest book
"Lanka the Land of Kings" is the best gift that the new ambassador would
present to the King of Thailand who is celebrating his 80 years on the
throne.
The book is also a fitting tribute to a civilization which has a
history of over 3,000 years. The importance of the book as a present to
the royalty of Thailand was emphasised by Dr. Lona Devaraja at the
launch held recently. She also stressed the fact that Thailand has been
maintaining cordial diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka over centuries
and that even the people of Thailand are highly knowledgeable of Sri
Lanka and its people.
One of the significant aspects of the book that differs it from a
host of other books on history is its chronicling of history dealing
with many aspects of kings such as kings as scholars, poets and
accomplished physicians.
It also substantially deals with the language and the culture of
ancient Sri Lanka and how Sri Lanka had been maintaining diplomatic
links with the rest of the world in general and with especial emphasis
on diplomatic and cultural links with India, China, Myanmar, Thailand,
Cambodia and Laos in particular.
Rather than mere chronicling the kings and Prof. Disanayake has
analysed Sri Lankan royalty in an insightful manner, detailing Kings
possessions, queens and consorts, his officials and the special
relations the king maintained with the Buddhist order and the important
role that Buddhist monks played as preceptor of the king or as Raja
Guru.
The book is divided into two sections. Book one deals extensively
with principle sources of information on kings and the island such as
Dipa-vamsa (the Island Chronicles), Mahavamsa (the Great Chronicle),
Culavamsa (The lesser Chronicle) and Raja Valiya (the lineage of the
kings) and the Chronicles of the Sacred Relics. Book two is about the
lineage of kings from Ravana to the last king of Sri Lanka Sri Vikrama
Rajasinha.
The kings' all encompassing influence on the public life is amply
manifested in chapters, like "The king in Sinhala poetry", "Panegyrics
in praise of the king", "The king in Sinhala proverbs", "The language of
the king's court" and "The King as Folk Poet".
This chapter describes the king's fine taste in art and his ingenious
ability as a folk poet. In some other chapter, such as king as a
builder, as patron of art, lover of books and the king as a scholar,
deals with diverse aspects of royalty.
The author should be commended for codifying almost all the important
facts and figures and also with salient features of kings of the island
in a most orderly manner.
"Lanka the Land of the Kings' is an analysis of the kings of the land
masterpiece which would certainly, stand the test of the time.
A welcome book for students of political and world history
A Short History of America - 1 (1607 -1906)
by P.W.Jayathilake
Pages 82
Price Rs.150
Author Publication
Printer: Jayant Print Graphics, Ganemulla
Distributed by Viswa Poth Medura and Publishers, Yakkala.
The latest composition of American History in Sinhala by the veteran
author P.W. Jayathilake, Attorney-at-law, was launched on October 27 at
the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress Ariyapala Memorial Hall, Colombo.
The Viswa Poth Medura and Publishers, Yakkala organised the event. W.
M. K. Wijetunga, the former Professor of History at Sri Jayawardanapura
University was the chief guest.
The latest book on American History in Sinhala fills a long felt
need, adds one more to the few books found in Sinhala and it will be
welcomed by the students of both political and world history as politics
is part of the human history and history is nothing but a story of the
evolution of human society mingled with politics.
The American history is very short in comparison to the history of
the countries coming within the continent of Europe. The American
history begins with the settling of migrated Englishmen in 13 States
during the 17th century.
They won independence from England after two centuries and drafted
their own Independent Indigenous Constitution and established the
administrative system through the representatives, elected by the people
to run the affairs of the American Republic, on their behalf. By the end
of the 19th century America stood before the world as the most powerful
Republic with super power.
The efforts of the author of this book has been to present the
fundamentals of the American history covering the past three centuries.
Prior to writing the sketches of the American history in the format he
chose, in 2005, he had visited the birthplace of future America,
Jamestown colony in the Virginia district, where the migrated Englishmen
settled in 1607 to sow the seeds of the future American Republic.
Chamila Perera, one of his friends had arranged the trip to Jamestown
from New York covering almost 1200 miles by car. The author relates
those incidents to build confidence in the reader that what he reads is
first hand information gathered by the author visiting the sites of
historical value in dealing with the American History.
The American Republican Constitution was drafted at Philadelphia city
in the district of Pennsylvania. Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and
James Madison drafted it. The author had the opportunity to visit the
first congress hall, where George Washington, who led the struggle for
independence sat with others.
The author also deals how America turned a super power in the 20th
century with the Second World War and the Cold War between America and
Russia sprung up and how it ended by the year 1991. In writing this book
he had consulted libraries in Middlesborough and Teeside universities.
The chapters deals with the discovery of America, the first settlers,
Spanish intruders, creation of colonies by the Englishmen in North
America, the First 13 Colonies, Administration of the colonies, Views on
Independence akin to Englishmen, American Independence Struggle,
Declaration of the Independence, Fathers of the Constitution, The
American Judiciary, Role of George Washington Foundation, First
Presidents of USA, American Civil War and its Outcome and several other
chapters creates enthusiasm to read through the pages at ease.
WIRUMA
Ideal companion for attorneys and law students
Offences against Public Property
Author: D. A. P. Weeratne, Attoreny-at-Law
Review - Edward Gunawardena
D.A.P. Weeratne by bringing out this volume on Offences against
Public Property has indeed made another significant contribution to the
legal literature of Sri Lanka. All his previous publications ranging
from the Law of Public Nuisance in Sri Lanka to the Law Relating to
Powers of Attorney covering topics of interest not only to the legal
profession and students of law, but importantly enough to the lay reader
have been widely accepted and discussed.
At a time when offences against public and state property are
becoming rampant this book certainly assumes special importance.
The author emphasizes this fact when in the introduction he quotes
the Deputy Minister of Justice when the latter in February 1982
introduced the Bill which was to enter the statute book as the Offences
Against Public Property Act No. 12 of 1982".
Today certain anti-social elements are committing offences such as
mischief, theft, robbery and misappropriation of public property. Public
property belongs to the country, to every one and today, I think quite a
lot of damage is being done with impunity.
Therefore it is considered essential by the government to bring more
stringent laws to deal with such persons". And this was 25 years ago
when perhaps the occurrence of these offences was far less than today.
Appropriately and discerningly, the author has dwelt at length with
the offences that are commonly referred to by laymen as 'frauds'. The
Penal Code offences of Cheating, Misappropriation, Criminal Breach of
Trust, Forgery and Falsification of Accounts have been given the
importance they deserve.
These offences that criminologists refer to as White Collar crime
have a tendency to increase with the sophistication of societies and
economies.
Interpretations
The author has lucidly explained the legal meanings of these terms
and exposed the reader to the endless interpretations given by courts in
Sri Lanka and India. In many instances, in addition to submissions of
counsel and judicial decisions the author has selectively quoted the
opinions of respected, authoritative scholars.
The opening chapter on definitions albeit brief gives a clear insight
into the intricacies and complexities involved in understanding the
meaning of public institutions.
The different interpretations to the meaning of 'Banks',
'Co-operative Societies', Statutory Boards etc. and the possibilities of
further interpretations as times and circumstances change, indeed gives
a promising beginning to sustained reader interest in the book.
Whilst giving adequate emphasis to almost all the offences mentioned
at para three above, Forgery is given a deserving place. Although the
author does not specifically comment on, due to the professional
approach he has adopted, forgery has indeed become a problem of
significant magnitude in the country.
Currency, birth certificates, driving licences, cheques, educational
certificates, National Identity Cards, Passports and even foreign visas
are forged with impunity. Apart from causing losses to the State,
forgery has virtually become a nuisance to law enforcement authorities,
'professional' forgers using electronic aids are causing further
headaches.
The case law cited including 'Percy Nanayakakra vs. the Republic of
Sri Lanka' (1993, ISLR 71) and the numerous authorities quoted, will not
only be of interest to attorneys, but those involved in the
investigation of frauds.
Prerogative
The granting of bail is largely prerogative of the judiciary. With
the proliferation of enactments that have brought about conditions
restricting the granting of bail case law has become increasingly
significant.
In an exhaustive discussion on bail, the author at the outset starts
on the premise that there is no statutory definition of bail.
Nevertheless as a starting point he goes on to quote Alles J. (66 NLR
P.551) on bail as, "the release or setting at liberty a person arrested
or imprisoned either on his own recognizance or others becoming sureties
for his appearance on a future date".
In the lengthy, well researched discussion that follows the author
deals particularly with the Bail Act. No. 30 of 1997 and the
restrictions imposed on the granting of bail in offences against public
property.
Specific cases referred to, particularly some that generated wide
public interest such as Gunasekera and others vs. Ravi Karunanayake (2
SLR 18 - 2005) and Tilanga Sumathipala vs. the IGP and others (1 SLR 210
- 2004) are certainly of interest not only from the legal angle, but
from the general readers point of view.
Discretionary power
In the former case where the statute had debarred the granting of
bail, virtually shutting out the discretionary power of the lower
courts, the words of Siripavan. J. Judiciously selected and quoted by
the author are so refreshing indeed to a cultured mind.
They truly reflect the sublime nature of the independence and
impartiality of the nations highest court. The author should be
commended for reproducing these gems of erudition utters by this learned
Judge.
The well considered, succinct comments on the book from a
professional angle at the back cover of the book by Addl. Solicitor
General Palitha Fernando are indeed a deserving value addition to his
publication.
He has recommended this book to law students and Attorneys, I would
go a step further suggest that this be read by law-enforcement officers
too, particularly those entrusted with investigation of fraudulent
offences that have been covered in this volume in great detail.
Life story of an eminent educationist
R.I.T. Alles, the gifted educationist who has inspired generations of
students in a career spanning 50 years with many great milestones,
reaches another, when he turned 75 on October 3 and celebrated the event
with the launch of his autobiography, simply titled My Life.
Written in a style as unpretentious as the title, the book is both a
candid account of Alles' life, and the hard blows he was forced to deal
with - as a child, young adult and mature professional - and an
inspiring account of how to overcome challenges both professional and
personal.
More significantly it is also the story of courage, determination,
the will to succeed and the never-say-die spirit of a young fatherless
orphan who overcame numerous obstacles to become one of the most
successful and respected principals in modern Sri Lanka and then went on
to set up his own school.
Perhaps above all, it is also the story of a simple, loving, caring,
concerned human being who believes in giving back to society, some of
the wisdom gained in 75 years of living and half a century of teaching.
The latter is evidenced, when Alles says somewhat pensively, "I may
die tomorrow. My passing away wouldn't matter. But what will matter is
what I leave behind."
In that context, 'My Life' written over a period of two years, is a
cornucopia of life's little lessons, gleaned from personal experience,
fine tuned with familiarity and penned for posterity.
These are the lessons of loving your parents, respecting your elders,
being honest, living a good life beneficial to society. These are also
lessons he has been imparting to his students over the past five
decades, as a teacher and as a principal. Interspersed are also lessons
on being a good teacher also gleaned from personal experience. "A
teacher's job is a spiritual occupation. It is one of the noblest
professions," he writes.
'My Life' is an unabashed account of the life of simple man who went
on to achieve great accolades and at times painful brickbats for doing
well a job that he truly loved.
Alles began his career as a teacher almost by accident at Bennette
Commercial College in Galle and after two years at the Government
Training College, joined Royal College, on condition that he helped out
the Principal with cadetting. A few years later he went on to become the
founder Principal of D.S. Senanayake College, doing an exemplary job
that made him one of the most successful and well loved principals.
He introduced the concept of School Development Committees, which
have been highly acclaimed by several Education Ministers during their
tenure in office and went on to become the first non-Muslim Head of
Zahira College, Colombo. He counts the title 'Mohammed Alles' as one of
his greatest achievement in bridging the communal gap as a non-Muslim of
an all Muslim school.
He did a stint as State Secretary Education,and in achieving yet
another milestone went on to establish the Gateway College, one of the
more respected private education institutes.
In recognition of his contribution towards education, Alles was
conferred the Anthonian Award for Excellence and Sri Lanka Shikamani -
Sri Lanka's Precious Gem by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike
Kumaratunga.
The journey is chronicled not so much in chronological order as in
events and episodes that impacted Alles' like. Much like individual
stones added to make the foundation strong, these incidents, while
making the reading more poignant, give insights into the character
build-up of the man who has scaled the heights of success and stood tall
and proud amidst the travails and tragedies of personal loss and
professional disappointments.
'My Life' begins with Alles' early childhood in Galle, where he
suffered his first tragedy - the loss of his father and the resultant
financial difficulties. In the ensuring chapters he gives a glimpse of
his life style that saw up walking five miles to school, studying under
the street lamp, his determination to succeed in his studies, his
attachment to his mother - who he dedicates 'My Life' to and his
struggle to become an accomplished teacher.
The joys and sorrows of a personal and professional life, the
triumphs, accomplishments, disappointments, dejection, determination,
personal principles are all chronicled in a no-nonsense forthright
manner that bring to life a simple man who had the will to succeed and
with a little bit of luck and great determination, went on to curve and
indelible name for himself a one of Sri Lanka's most gifted
educationist.
'My Life' was launched at Hilton Hotel Colombo on October 3 as part
of his 75th birthday celebrations. |