A volume revitalising Lanka's history

Reviewed by Kalakeerthi Edwin Ariyadasa

"History is the witness of the times, the torch of truth, the life of memory, the teacher of life, the messenger of antiquity."

Cicero (106-43 B.C.)

Roman statesman

History never comes to a total halt. Eras fade into new phases. The past gets incarnated in new guises. Moderns rediscover earlier ages, utilising the sophisticated technological tools of our day.

Scholars, deploying their analytical and interpretative skills, uncover hidden meanings, unravel concealed secrets. In effect, they present to us the world's forms of human activities, thoughts, philosophies and styles of life that had existed in by-gone days as living and breathing entities, that are warmly alive.

Those unabashedly enthusiastic observations are prompted by an elegant, alluring and absorbing volume that has newly joined the distinguished gallery of learned tomes, relating to Sri Lanka's past.

The work that is referred to is titled Maritime Heritage of Lanka. The elucidatory sub-title states, Ancient ports and harbours.

Citadel

To my mind, the title is a gross understatement for this profound addition to the valued series of studies of the history of this culturally-rich island citadel.

In truth, this work should be described as a companion volume to our national chronicles the Mahawamsa and Culawamsa.

The present work musters within its covers, a whole hoard of treasures, in the form of less-known local and foreign records, myths, legends, mass-lore, cartographical products, numismatic evidence, marine and terrestrial archaeological discoveries and the musings and reflections of concerned authorities. The highly impressive portfolio of archaic and modern photographs, elevate the intense impacts of the textual material. The initial essays in the anthology are contributed by Dr. Roland Silva extensively reputed archaeologist and erudite scholar. He establishes that the perennial attraction of our island to human civilisations past and fairly recent was its strategic location in the Indian ocean, as the convenient hub on which the sea-lanes from the West and the East converged as the most natural thing to do, under the geographical circumstances.

In the concluding paragraph of his twin-contribution, Dr. Roland Silva enumerates the plethora of sources that scholars could resort to for the purpose of obtaining compelling information relating to the far past of our land.

Several articles in this cumulatively nourish the knowledge we possess about Sri Lanka's first capital Anuradhapura. Anyone perusing this information will be surprised by what could be learned afresh, even about an extensively known theme, if we listened to those who are given to the pursuit of sustained research. Dr. Nimal Perera's revelations about the early historical settlement at Kantarodai, form a record of the work in progress at this site.

Over and above the scholarly purposes, a work like this could invariably achieve, these sustained research go a long way towards wholesome inter-racial, inter-religious, and of course, inter-cultural understanding, contributing vastly towards amicable co-existence.

An extensive section of the work is set aside for articles that take as their theme the ancient trade and commerce Sri Lanka conducted with lands across the seas.

Sri Lanka's links with the Cathay Empire, would have led to flourishing cultural and trading ties, making the southern regions of Sri Lanka, an area replete with a whole series of busy ports.

Romantic aspect

This volume, functions not only as an outstanding work on matters that may be generally considered academic and learned.

While imbibing the material in this work, I cannot help but conclude, that there is a substantial romantic aspect too, to this deep study.

The probings undertaken by maritime archaeologists read very much like an adventure - story. The discoveries made through both terrestrial and marine explorations, engender within the reader a wholesome sense of curiosity, about what treasures may be lying around to be still discovered - extending the annals of this ancient human habitat.

Those who are responsible for this work of lasting value have to be especially commended for the rare illustrative material they have been able to collect for this work.Maps, sketches, photographic studies, numismatic specimens, put together enrich knowledge and enhance the 'personality' of the tome.

Even the real life photography that adorns this volume makes an indelible impression by its riveting quality.

In the absence of Annex 1, appended to this work, many, I am sure, would not know that Sri Lanka had such a vast variety of names and appellations given to it over the long sweep of centuries.

I would be failing in my duty, if I did not felicitate the editor of this work Dr. Sarala Fernando for the effort of synthesising a whole galaxy of varied talents to achieve this publishing triumph.

As much as its content, its typographical presence too deserves encomiums.