Browsing by Author "Bandara, N."

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    Archaeological Heritage in Biyagama Division
    (University of Kelaniya, 2006) Gunawardhana, P.; Namalgamuwa, H.; Bandara, N.; Wijesuriya, D.; Saldin, M.; Mahoney, T.
    Archaeological heritage of the Kelaniya region goes back to the Proto-historic times. The transitional phase from the Mesolithic culture of the Pre-historic period to the Protohistoric or Early Iron Age is revealed in the region. The Proto-historic period in Sri Lanka is believed to be in 1000 BC (Senaviratne, 1985). The black and red ware found from the Pilapitiya, draws our attention to the fact that the Kelani valley region has played a key role during this period. According to the chronicles, Kelaniya had been an organized city and remained a remarkable strategic point from the 3 rd century BC. As ancient Sri Lanka was strategically located on the trade routes between south –East Asia and west Asia, it is suggested that Kalyani or Kalyani pattanam might have functioned as a main sea port of the city where many traders lived and engaged in the international trade. However, due to the rapid development of the socio-economic sector in the country, it tended to change the cultural landscape and also the contemporary appearance of the buildings, monuments and sites. For the investigation of this region as an initial stage, we used the unsystematic survey method which has identified about one hundred thirty seven archaeological heritage sites (Gunawardhana, 2006). The aim of this paper is to discuss the archaeological heritage of Biyagama division and will finish addressing the concepts of archaeological heritage of this environment.
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    An archaeological perspective of the Damunupola village
    (University of Kelaniya, 2008) Bandara, N.
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    A fragmentary unpublished slab-inscription from Sigiriya area
    (University of Kelaniya, 2007) Bandara, N.
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    Heritage tourism: complexities of land management and archaeological presentation
    (University of Kelaniya, 2006) Gunawardhana, P.; Adikari, G.; Hathurusinghe, S.; Katugampola, M.; Bandara, N.; Namalgamuwa, H.; Wijesuriya, D.
    Ibbankatuwa is possibly the best-known megalithic burial site in Sri Lanka where can be attractive to, and capable of appreciation. It has grate potentiality to foster tourism. The massive heritage site, built in 700 BC is great significance. Ibbankatuwa and its environs is perhaps the most numinous and archaeologically sensitive region which is a major tourist destination. Most importantly, locating two World heritage sites such as Sigiriya and Dambulla are playing a key role within the zone. It is obvious that the maintenance of a massive land area, social life of the people within the land and archaeological presentation of the site are the major problems currently associated with Ibbankatuwa which needs to be managed. It is significant to secure the preservation of the site to promote the enhancement of the character and the appearance of the environs (Boniface and Fowler, 1993). Moreover, there are complexities of land ownership, land use and land management which have to be considered as a whole. More than ten hectares of land owned by the Archaeology Survey Department where twenty families are residing but they are not allowed to build permanent houses. Apart from that open land is used for agricultural purposes; basically the cultivation of grain and banana but these interventions also brings its problems to the heritage site. It is clear that the archaeological presentation in a formidable form is necessary to attract the tourists. The aim of this paper is to discuss the problems of the site and to provide suggestions for promotion to tourist attraction. The creation of the project planning at Ibbankatuwa on the basis of the cultural, tourist, recreational and educational asset would minimize destructions to the site and earn a substantial annual income for the country.
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    Image Processing Approach for Ancient Brahmi Script Analysis
    (University of Kelaniya, 2015) Warnajith, N.; Bandara, D.; Bandara, N.; Minato, A.; Ozawa, S.
    Writing is one of the most important inventions of Humankind. There are few main languages in the ancient world. Among these ancient languages Sanskrit was used in Indo region. Brahmi script is one of the most important ancient letters in South Asia. It became the matrix of Debanagaricharacter used for Sanskrit and Hindi. And, it produced Burmese script, Khmer script, Thai alphabet, Laotian alphabet, Tibetan alphabet, etc., during the last two thousand years. The people of Sri Lanka are fortunate that some of the writing of their ancestors is preserved on various inscriptions found throughout the country. These inscriptions have been discovered under the drip ledges of caves, rocks, pillars and slabs. Inscribed gold, silver and copper plates have been discovered as well. On the decipherment of these inscriptions, historical, linguistic and paleographical conclusions could be arrived at. The source data of this study is already published grayscale images of early Brahmi script. These images are taken from the paper copies of inscriptions called as estampages (rubbed copy). Up to the present, reading and analyzing these inscriptions are done by manually. The aim of this study is to develop algorithms based on image data of these estampages and implement a digital data repository. The process of this study can be divided into few stages. Such as: (1). Producing precise alphabet fonts of early Brahmi scripts has been produced from photographic data, (2). Precise method of identification of ancient letters with the aid of the alphabet fonts, which leads to automatic reading of ancient inscriptions by computers, (3). Database implementation for the analysis, (4). Develop web based interface for scholars over KISSEL network to share the knowledge and experience among the KISSEL users.
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    Inscriptional evidence discovered from the Upper Malwatu Oya region
    (University of Kelaniya, 2008) Bandara, N.; Amarasekera, A.A.D.; Gunawardhana, P.; Coningham, R.
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    Jaina Religion in Ancient Sri Lanka
    (Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Bandara, N.; Bandara, D.; Harischandra, M.
    Jaina religion was one of the most popular religions that existed in ancient India. (It is well known as jainasm or jaina Sharma which belongs to the Sramana tradition) The religious leader of Jainism is known as Nigankanatha putta or Mahavira. Buddhist literature too mentions about Jainism in certain occurrences. Jainism was the first ever religion which invaded the South Asian countries such as South India, Mysore and Ceylon. Significant evidence can be found that can prove Jainism held and important place in ancient Sri Lanka. Local and foreign literary sources confirm the above fact. The main objective of this research is to discuss about the background of Jainism in ancient Sri Lanka based on the above sources. There are no definite factors to confirm as to how and when Jainism commenced its practices in ancient Sri Lanka. But there is evidence that Jainism dominated an authentic position in ancient Sri Lanka during the period of king Pandukabhaya. It becomes clear from Mahawamsa records to the effect that monasteries had been constructed for Jaina religions nominees named Jothiyagiri and Kumbanda. The above statements proves that Jainaism was the first ever religion was accorded the royal patronage of ancient Sri Lanka. Arrival of Arahant Mahinda Thera in Sri Lanka caused to create a new chapter in the history of ancient Sri Lanka. Buddhist doctrinal teachings evolved in the entire island effecting great influence on moral, virtuous and cultural lives of the citizens. Advent of Buddhism may have been strong enough to cause the decline of the powers of Jainaism. King Valagamba destroyed the monastery named Girinigantarama and built up Abhayagiri Viharaya at the same place which act resulted in degrading the authority of Jainaism. But it could be assumed that Jainaism raised its head again from time to time due to occurrences that took place after the Kings of this country left for South India for protection with the invasions of Paundyas and Cholas in Sri Lanka. There is no doubt that such religions influences may have had an impact on the customs, literature and the language which proves by the addition of adverse and unpleasant words like nasty, gaudy and indecorous etc.
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    Rickettsial disease IFA-IgG titres in Auto-Immune diseases; what do they imply?
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2016) Balasooriya, B.L.P.P.; Bandara, N.; Chandrasena, N.; Premaratna, R.
    INTRODUCTION: Rickettsial infections are known to present mimicking autoimmune disorders. The gold standard diagnostic test for rickettsial diseases is based on the detection of IgM and or IgG antibodies against these infections by immuno-fluorescent technique (IFA). During the IFA test, patient sera containing anti rickettsial antibodies are made to react with rickettsial antigens that are grown in cell culture media. However, presence of nuclear material in these cell cultures may react with anti-nuclear antibodies that are produced in autoimmune disorders and cause a false positive immunofluorescent signal. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reactivity of rickettsial disease among patients with auto immunity diseases. METHOD: In order to evaluate the reactivity of rickettsial disease IFA-IgG test [IFA-IgG-OT (Orientia tsutsugamushi) and IFA-IgG-SFG (spotted fever group)] among patients with autoimmune diseases, an analytical cross-sectional study was carried out using sera of 38 patients with confirmed auto-immune diseases. RESULTS: The 38 patients included 15 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 5 autoimmune-thyroiditis, 13 idiopathic-thrombocytopenia (ITP), 4 autoimmune-haemolytic-anaemia (AIHA), 1 polymyositis, 1 polyglandular syndrome and 1 Anti-phospholipid syndrome. The IFA-IgG reactivity of ≥ 1:128 was noted in 14/38 (37%); IFA-IgG-SFG in 7, IFA-IgG-OT in 3 and for both in 4. Of the 14 patients who had shown reactivity to IFA-IgG 2 had a titre of 1:128, four had a titre of 1:256, five had a titre of 1:512, three had >1: 1024 . 57% among the 14 who had shown reactivity were diagnosed as SLE, 21.4 % had ITP, 14.3% had AIHA, and 7.1% had polymyositis. None were diagnosed with thyroiditis. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant reactivity of Rickettsial disease IFA-IgG assay in auto-immune diseases. Further studies are needed in order to ascertain whether this is due to recent rickettsial infections, false positive cross reactivity of autoimmune antibodies with rickettsial antigens or with cell culture nuclear antigens.
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    Sri Lanka and Northern India relations: An Archaeological study (3rd century B.C. to 9th century A.D.)
    (Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Bandara, N.
    According to the archaeological evidences, the Balangoda culture is considered as the earliest civilization in Sri Lanka. The aim of this paper is to present archaeological evidences to prove northern Indian association in ancient Sri Lanka from 3rd century B.C. to 9th century A.D. Even in the present Sri Lanka is considered as a multinational country. The geographical situation of Sri Lanka is the main reason for these migrations from the ancient past. Some of the migrants, who had come to Sri Lanka in various time periods, had returned to their motherland and of course, some were settle down in Sri Lanka. Among these nations Indians were in the first place. To prove this relationship, written sources (Mahawamsa Deepawamsa, Travelogues from Hiyun Sian and Fa Hien) and archaeological / numismatic resources like inscriptions, coins, statues, carvings which are belonged to 3rd century B.C to 9th century A.D. is used as the basement for this research. The relationship with Sri Lanka up to 1st century A.D. mainly limited with India. Form that also the northern Indian relationship was seemed to be strong. A considerable number of symbols can be seen in Sri Lankan early Brahmi inscriptions which have Harappa culture influences but not Brahmi. Also this relationship can be seen in the potters that found in archaeological excavations. Fine red polished wares, red slipped pinkish buff ware, black Hellenistic ware are among these potters. Also the Northern Indian characteristics can be seen in Punch make coins, Lakshimi and Svasthika coins. Also the relationship between Northern India can be seen in language styles that used in initial inscriptions in Sri Lanka.
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    Unpublished Inscription from llainunupola and the Archaeological Significance of the Surrounding Area
    (University of Kelaniya, 2007) Bandara, N.; Amarasekara, A.A.D.
    The "Sathara Koralaya'" holds an important place in Sri Lankan history. The archaeological importance of this area is evident by the prehistoric sites at Alulena, Doravakkanda. Maniyangama Bclilcna (Deraniyagala, 1992) as well as from the inscriptions which ref~lr to ··nata" and "Parumaka" which were high ranking administratere post H.C.P.Bell the first Commissioner of the Department of Archaeology which was established in 1890 conducted extensive archaeological surveys of the Kegalle District (Bell, 1990). In addition the archaeological importance of the Satara Koralaya has been proved through various scholarly researches. The historic village of Atugoda Damunupola greatly contributes to the historical and archaeological importance of our country. The main reason for the importance of Damunupola is due to it being on the path of an ancient royal roadway extending from Menikkadawara, Iddamalpana, Attapitiya etc. In addition its geographical location makes it a suitable security point as well. The main aim of this paper is to discuss the unpublished slab inscription which was used as a flower altar in the Damunupola Viharaya and also to discuss its ancient as well as contemporary society.
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    මහනුවර නගරයේ සංචාරක ප‍්‍රවණතා
    (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2015) Jayarathne, W.G.N.P.; Bandara, N.
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    සංස්කෘතිය, දේශපාලනය හා ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ අනාගතය
    (University of Kelaniya, 2008) Gunawardhana, P.; Bandara, N.; Namalgamuwa, H.; Saldin, M.
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