The Heritage of Seethawaka
English translation of Seethawaka Urumaya:
Translator - W. T. A.
Leslie Fernando
Publisher - Visiduna
Prakashakayo, 471, Lake Road, Boralesgamuwa
Price - Rs. 200/=
Reviewed by Stanley
E. Abeynayake
Philip Gunawardena of Boralugoda, Kosgama in the Hewagam Korale needs
no introduction. Imbibed with a brilliant academic career, he ventured
to delve into the heritage of once unilaterally powerful Seethawaka
Kingdom under the glorious reins of King Mayadunne and King Rajasinghe
I.
Although Philip Gunawardena, one of the foremost statesman of Sri
Lanka during the last century (20th) was a versatile product of the
highly recognized US Universities of Wisconsin, Illinois and Columbia,
he was not a historian as such.
Salient characteristics
Undoubtedly he was a voracious reader of politics, history,
philosophy, economics and culture. Most appropriately dubbed as "The
Father of Marxism" in our country, he was sagacious enough to expound
Marxism-Lenninism to be compatible with our ancient culture, moral
values and Buddhist background. Conscious of those indelible features
inherent with the people he was also tactful to grasp the salient
characteristics of the historical setting of the country for over 2550
years.
During the period of his political hibernation (1970-71) with a sense
of patriotism, he found the time to enlighten the present and future
generations to come about the glory and grandeur of the Seethawaka
Kingdom. It is evident from the Portuguese period beginning with 1505,
that as a result of the occupation of the Kotte Kingdom by the
Portuguese, our whole country would have come under their suzerainty if
not being for the rise of the Seethawaka Kingdom.
The founder King of Seethawaka Mayadunne with his military prowess
thwarted the advances of the invading foreigners from conquering the
interior of the low-country. His successor son Tikiri Bandara who became
the ruler as Rajasinghe I was a military genius. So much so the
Portuguese historians compared him with and held him up in high esteem
on par with ancient Roman leaders such as General Hannibal and Emperor
Julius Caesar.
If not for dispelling the Portuguese from our hinterland by King
Rajasinghe the whole low-country region would have been another Goa on
the Malabar Coast of South India. Similar to that tiny settlement
specially the people of Hewagam Korale, Thun Korale and Sathara Korale
would have been converted to Catholicism and a hybrid culture with
polyglots would have been implanted displacing the indigenous
Sinhalese-Buddhists in those territories.
The impact of that type of culture came to be branded as "Thuppahi"
culture on the eve of dawn of the MEP government in 1956. "Thuppahi"
people were meant to be the descendants of the Portuguese inter-married
with the Sinhalese. Philip Gunawardena has done justice by the people of
the Seethawaka kingdom in particular and the people of Sri Lanka in
general by bringing out his book on history also clarifying certain
vital points pertaining to the Seethawaka kingdom.
False rumours
They are according to him that Rajasinghe was not a patricide,
highlighting his mighty victories crushing the Portuguese at the battles
of Mulleriyawa in the Hewagam Korale and revealing the truth of Lewuke
Dissawa, the commander of the Kandyan armed forces was doomed and met
with his "Waterloo" and unexpected death at the battle-field of Hanwella
on September 05, 1803 not by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe but by his own
countrymen in combat due to his betrayal of Sinhalese in favour of the
British on that fateful day.
The author takes pains to debunk the false rumours spread by the
Portuguese historians and his own enemies in that king Rajasinghe I took
steps to annihilate Buddhism and the Buddhist clergy at the instance of
Arrita-Keevendu Perumal who became his mentor on the rituals of
Hinduism. The latter was a Saivite "Poosari" or officiating priest of
Hindu temples - Kovils.
Honesty of spirit
The national hero cum patriot Philip Gunawardena before his death had
handed over his research material on the Seethawaka Kingdom to Ven.
Horathapola Palitha Thera of Aryabhodhi Viharaya Udubaddawa to edit and
publish the treatise. After the death of Philip Gunawardena in 1972 Ven.
Horathapola Palitha Thera posthumously released the book "Seethawaka
Urumaya" in 1973.
Don Philip Rupasinghe Gunawardena - "Maha Kalu Sinhalaya" (Black
complexioned great lion) of Boralugoda in his true honesty of spirit had
unearthed much that was buried in the valour of King Rajasinghe of
Seethawaka due to factual distortions by his Portuguese enemies aided
and abetted by "Ganinnanselas" - irreligious, pretentious Buddhist
priests of the day.
"Seethawaka Urumaya" has been translated into English as "The
Heritage of Seethawaka" by W. T. A. Leslie Fernando - a former High
Court Judge - a true son of the soil of Negombo well versed in both
English and Sinhala. It is edited by Indrani Meegama who has improved
the language and named the various chapters. The front cover of the book
is adorable with an eye-catching logo or symbol of pride belonging to
the Seethawaka period. Many pictures relevant to the Seethawaka period
enhance the value of the book. The book is printed in the grand quality
paper by Visidunu Prakashakayo and moderately priced at Rs. 200/=
Stanley E. Abeynayake |