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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/=

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