Book Reviews
Factors contributing to criminal behaviour
Book: Jathaka Kathawala Aparadha Vidyathmaka Lakshana
(Criminological features in Jathaka Stories)
Author: Sudheera Jayaweera
In Sinhalese literature, the number of prose and verse authored
correlating the Jathaka books is phenomenal. During a period of over 500
years, the Pansiya Panas Jathaka book is the most commonly read book
among Sinhalese.
Apart from its literary value, it encompasses profound sociological,
psychological sense and other social philosophies. Martin Wickremasinghe
through his book The Jathaka Katha Wimasuma diverts the reader from the
literary analysis to other social dimensions.
The scientific value of the Jathaka stories surfaced with books like
“Jathaka Katha wala samaja vidyathmaka lakshana” (Sociological Aspects
of Jathaka Stories).
Sudheera Jayaweera marks an indentation in the analysis of the
Jathaka story literature with his book Jathaka katha wala aparadha
vidyathmaka lakshana (Criminological features in jathaka Stories).
Jayaweera in his book analyses and classifies criminological features
depicted in the Jathaka Stories.
He puts forward theoretical analysis of criminal behaviour;
biological, psychological and sociological factors leading to such
behaviour, with reference to the Jathaka Stories. The book takes a more
scientific turn with its discussion of problems in adopting such
methodology.
As far as modern society is considered, the biological and
psychological factors contributing to criminal behaviour are clearly
intertwined with society. However, when analyzing this aspect, in the
ancient Indian society the social factors that led to criminal behaviour
were different.
The forth chapter, with a criminological focus, shed slight on
various deviant characters unfolded in these Jathaka stories. The author
interprets deviance using several definitions and then moves onto
exploring a range of deviant character existed during that era.
The author has presented a scientific analysis on the characters with
sexual deviant behaviour. Jayaweera has also excavated those characters
to unearth various deviant characteristics including child abuse,
abortion, drunkenness, gambling and domestic violence.
Thus, he has built up an investigational approach towards those
deviant features by linking ideas of social scientists like Emile
Durkheim and Karl Marx with modern thinkers like Reckles, Clinard, Adler
and Erickson.
Jayaweera with his exercise, has conquered a unique approach towards
recreating criminology by discovering a great extent of knowledge on the
subject area. The writer without blindly adhering to western knowledge,
delves into ancient Buddhist literature to surface a homegrown, local
approach on criminal investigation for Sri Lanka, a country which is
profusely battered by crime.
- Ashoka Kumara
Air, maritime and rail transportation in Sri Lanka
In a series of Books on Engineering published by the Institution of
Engineers Sri Lanka, to commemorate the centenary, the latest is on
Transportation of Air, Maritime and Rail Transportation which will be
immense value to Historians and future planners.
Eng. Priyal de Silva ex-General Manager Railway, Past President of
the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka, and Past Chairman of the
Institute of Logistics and Transport, U.K. (Sri Lanka section) with his
experience in assisting his father late Eng. L.S. de Silva who compiled
and Edited the Eng. B.D. Rampala felicitation volume and he himself
editing the “Rail 2000” publication on the request made by Eng. W.K.B.
Weragama then General Manager Railway, has meticulously condensed an
important subject into a book of 230 pages.
The three sections are authored by Eng. O.J.S. Perera former Chief
Civil Engineer of the Airport and Aviation Sri Lanka Ltd. Eng. G.P.
Weerasinghe and experienced Engineer in the field of Ports and Maritime
and Dr. David Hyatt who authored “Railways in Sri Lanka” published in
the year 2000.
The section on Air Transportation takes the reader to the past when
Oliver and Wilbur Wright experimented with their flying machines and the
subsequent development to a modern Aircraft.
The landing of the first plane on the 27th November 1935 at Ratmalana
and the opening of the Ratmalana Airport and the subsequent development
of Airports in Ceylon are amply described in detail for those interested
in air transportation.
The airports at Palavi (Puttalam), Koggala the sea plane base where
“Catalinas” were floating on Koggala Lake were constructed during World
War II when Ceylon became the SEAC Headquarters of the Allies.
Development of the Katunayake Airport which was used by the Royal
British Air Force even after Ceylon was granted independence is
described in detail.
Little known facts of Aviation security are given in Chapter 5.
Notable aircraft accidents and causes that led to them are listed in
tabulated form. Maritime section is very informative for Historians and
students. Ports of Sri Lanka where sailing ships have anchored from very
early times are given in a map.
The development of Colombo Harbour in various stages to an important
harbour in South Asia has been recorded. Mention also has been made on
the proposed Hambantota Harbour which is going to bring an unmatched
development in the future to the country.
The section on Rail Transportation will no doubt will be of interest
to Historians and Rail enthusiasts. The history of Railway Construction
which date backs to 1864, when Engineers encountered many problems on
laying a rail track on difficult terrain is interesting reading. Very
rare photographs taken as far back as 1860’s and most of them preserved
in University libraries in England add colour to this section.
Tables giving the distances and heights above show sea level of
railway stations, lengths of tunnels, steam locomotives and diesel
locomotive classification will be of interest to students and railway
enthusiasts.
An article on the current State of Sri Lanka Railways and the
development carried during the last two decades provide some guidelines
to those who are planning out the future. This is a book that should
find a place in every library especially in Universities, Technical
Colleges and Schools.
- B.B. Perera, Retired Civil Engineer, Railway
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