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.