Dutch administration and the society

The Travel Diary of Isaac Augustine Rumpf, the Dutch Governor of Ceylon (1716 – 1723)

The Travel Diary of Isaac Augustine Rumpf, the Dutch Governor of Ceylon (1716 – 1723) was launched at the Department of National archives recently. The book is published by the National Archives under the Netherlands and Sri Lanka Mutual Cultural (MCH) Program. The Diary has been translated into English by Prof K.D. Paranavithana. A special review of the publication was done by Prof J.J.L. Gommans, Chair, Global and Colonial History of the Institute of History, Leiden, The Netherlands. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Minister of Education was the Chief Guest and Joanne Doonewaarde, the Ambassador of Netherlands in Sri Lanka was the Guest of Honour.

Prof K.D. Paranavithana speaking at the event said that the Diary is a very rare manuscript and an account of the Governor’s experiences as well as a comprehensive report for his successor. It provides information about the contemporary social and economical situation in the areas which the Governor visited. He said it was important to translate the Diary to make it accessible to the wider public. The Diary provides a substantial overview of the Dutch administration and how the society was organised in the provinces. He further said the book is different from a memoir and is a contemporary social and historical guide to the island. This particular travel diary contains a wealth of information on the provinces the governor visited.

Prof J.J.L. Hommans also speaking at the event said that these diaries were given from one governor to his successor explaining the situation of the Island. He said it is a window to early modern Sri Lankan society and it provides a snapshot of Sri Lankan history in the 18th century. He further explained that the objective of the Governor’s tours was inspecting infrastructure in the provinces and gathering information on the state of the country. It also had the objective of surveying and monitoring society and discovering lost property and increasing the revenue of the state. The maps define the boundaries of villages and provinces.

Pictures by Saman Sri Wedage

Dr. Sanoja Wettasinghe handing over a copy of the Diary to Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam