Browsing by Author "Gunawardana, V.D.N.S."

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Banking system of ancient Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2011) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
This study is an analysis of the monetary transactions in the Anurādhapura period, which runs from the 6th B.C. to 1017 A.C. It is obvious that Sri Lanka has experienced an open economic system in ancient times, and the rulers had given state patronage for trading whereby, trading had never been discouraged. As it had been the tradition in India, and also in that of Sri Lanka as well, the king had inherited ownership of state land and water resources. It is believed that in ancient Sri Lanka, there existed a system which is similar to that of the present day banking system in order to deposit money and grain, and this particular financial institution is introduced as “Niyamatana”. The inscriptions of Thonigala, Kaludiyapokuna, Labuatabedigala clearly provide further information, related to this particular practice. As these inscriptions are studied, it is understood that in this particular place, the practice of Niyamathana, not only with grain but also with money being deposited, and with the interest and deposits took place. A ceremony called Ariyawansa was conducted at the temples, as part of this system. During this period, the monasteries had the income, earned by their land, reservoirs, rivers, canals, and various types of donations, gifted by the devotees. As recounted in the Thonigala inscription, the interest taken from the grain, and kept at “Niyamathana” was utilized to perform the Ariyawansa function at the Yahiyapawasa monastery. During that time there were many employees who depended on the salary given out of the income of the monastery. As far as all the said details are taken into account, it could be understood that the traders, the rulers and the monks had been involved in monetary transactions in ancient Sri Lanka.
Chola Sculptural Art in Sri Lanka (1017-1070A.D)
(National Seminar on Religion and Society in Peninsular India (7th-16th Centuries A.D), Department of History School of Social Sciences and International Studies Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, India, 2011) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
Sri Lanka was under the Chola rule from 1017 A.D. to 1070 A.D. The impact of the Chola rule is manifested prominently in the sculptural art of the period in Sri Lanka, especially around the kingdom of Polonnaruwa. It is evident for the description of Sri Lankan chronicles and inscriptions that there was a considerable Tamil population in Sri Lanka even before the Chola conquest. There was rapid growth of Tamil population under the Chola power after the 1017 A.D. Under the Chola rule the South India?s religious, cultural and social systems highly affected the Sri Lankan society. To fulfill the religious requirements Raja Raja I and the Rajendra I built Saiva temples in Sri Lanka. In the constructions of the Saivite shrines besides the king himself, the traders also made lavish contributions to the establishment of Saiva temples. For an example Sankarappariyar (Oil trader), Vetrilai Vaniyar (betel trader) and Valakkai Vaniyar (banana trader) took part in this exercise. Several stone and bronze sculptures and adorned the temples. The sculptures reflect the Chola style. Most probably these statues were sculpted by the South Indian artists, who may have visited Sri Lanka during Chola?s expedition or they may have been imported from India. This study particular concentrates on the Chola bronze images of Nataraja, Parvathi, Ganga, Karthikeya, Vishnu, Balaji, Hanuman, Gnana Smabandar, Appar , Sundarar Murthi and Manichakavashagar.
Economic History in Ancient Sri Lanka
(18th Annual Session, Tamilnadu History Congress, India, 2011) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
It is obvious that, Sri Lanka has experienced an open economic system in the ancient times, and the rulers had given the state patronage for trading whereby, trading had never been discouraged. As, it had been the tradition in India, and also in that of Sri Lanka as well, the king had been inherited with the state land and water resources. And also it has been stated even in the Kautilyas? Arthashasthra. Hence, the king had played a major role both in internal and external trade. At times, it has been reported in chronicles such as Mah?vamsa that the kings have sent trade delegations to foreign countries through which their counterparts were invited to have trade transactions with the island. Between the East and the West, the island stands in a central position, in the middle of the sea routes, that link the shores of the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Southeast Asia and Far East. The island is blessed with numerous bays, natural harbors, estuaries and navigable rivers which could facilitate both internal and external trade. The most important capitals of Sri Lanka were situated in the inland of Sri Lanka. The capital of Anur?dhapura was linked to the port of Mah?thitha, closer to the Aruvi ?ru river. The second ancient capital of Polonnaruwa was situated on the banks of the Mahaveli river which is near the port of G?kanna, Tissamah?rama, Sri Lankan?s ancient city in the South was situated on the left bank of the Krindi Oya which is near to the ancient port of Kirinda. Since the Anuradhapura period in the internal trade, the exchange of goods as well as that of the usage of coins had been practiced. The main medium of exchange in the internal trade was the ?Kahavanu?.
Historical Importace of the legend of Ramayana.
(Proceedings ofthe AnnuaIResearch Symposium 2007 - Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2007) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
Historical value of Dipavamsam
(Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2003 - Faculty ofGraduate Studies, University ofKelaniya, 2003) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
Monetary Transaction in Ancient Sri Lanka (6th B.C. to 1017th A.C.)
(SocialHistory Society 36"' Annual Conference,University of Manchester, 2011) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
The role of the traders in monetary transactions in ancient Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2013) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
Hereby, attention is focused on the study of the monetary transactions in the Anurādhapura period which runs from the 6th B.C. to 1017 A.C. In order to understand the nature of the internal trade of the Anuradhapura period, the inscriptions are found from the places such as Vilbavehera, Bambaragastalawa, Peripuliynkulama, Situlpawwa. The best inscription that can be taken into consideration during the study of the nature of the internal trade of Sri Lanka is the Badulla pillar inscription, which belongs to the reign of king III Udaya or IV Udaya. This particular pillar inscription was found by, Mr Jone Belli, a deputy British agent in the year of 1857, within close proximity to the reservoir of Sorabora, which was around three miles from the East of the Mihiyangana Dageba. It has been inscribed that the trade had been practiced in a town by the name of “Hopitigamuwa”. The prologue of the inscription states that the traders and the dwellers had submitted a petition on the malpractices done, to the king Udaya, during an official visit to the Mahiyangana Dageba. With reference to the Badulla pillar inscription, it is said, that those days the scales had been used in order to measure the grain. According to the Badulla inscription, it is understood that the bulls had been used for the transportation of goods. According to the Moragoda inscription, both buffalos and the bulls had been used. It is believed that in the ancient Sri Lanka, there existed a system which is similar to that of the present day banking system in order to deposit money and grain, and this particular financial institution was introduced as “Niyamatana”. The inscriptions of Thonigala and Labuatabedigala clearly provide with further information.
Sihalawaththu:As the oldest historical source
(Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2004-Faculty of Graduate Studies. University of Kelaniya, 2004) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
Territorial Expansion during the reign of King Nissankamalla (1187-1196A.D)
(1st International Conference on Social Sciences in Sri Lanka, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2008) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
The reign of Nissankamalla is limited to a few verses in Mahawamsa. But his numerous vainglorious inscriptions which he has inscribed give many informative details about his administration. Nissankamalla?s inscriptions inculcate the fiction that he is descended of king Vijaya of Sinhapura in Kalinga. Nissankamalla toured his kingdom accompanied by his fourfold army. This is testimony to the political instability inside the country. Katugahagalge inscription too discloses the same fact. Through this inscription king ordered the people of Ruhuna to be law abiding and to conduct themselves submissively like the people in the Mayarata. His Rameshvaram inscription discloses the invasion and submission of Pandya Desha. It is also and ostentatious claim. He established friendly relations with Kannta, Bengal, Orissa, Gandhara, Gujarat, Burma and Cambodia. Even though his inscriptions are found in three principalities, this alone is not enough to prove that the whole Island was under this administration.
The ancient hospital complex at Mihinthale
(UGC-SAP National Seminar on Social Cultural Transformations in Early South India, School of Social Sciences and International studies, Department of History, Pondicherry University India, 2010) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
The ancient Sinhales are responsible for introducing the concept of hospitals to the world. According to the Mahavamsa, written in the 6th century A.C. King pandukabhaya (4th century B.C) had lying in homes and hospitals (sivikasotthi Sala) built in various parts of the country. This is the earliest literary evidence we have of the concept of hospitals. The Oldest archeological evidence we have so far of a hospital is in the ruins of Mihintale. The layout of the building and discovery of a medical through prove this. According to the Mahawams king Sena II (853-887A.C.) had built a hospital complex. We are not quite certain whether this reference is to the present hospital, which is in ruins at the site. The plan of Mihintale hospital complex is interesting. Thirty one rooms can be identified. All the rooms are arranged on a high platform. I have identified number distinctive features in this hospital complex. They are consulting room, Rooms for hot water baths, Outer court, Inner verandah court yard, Shrine room and Room for medicinal bath.
The ancient hospital complex at Mihinthale in Sri Lanka
(3rd International congress, Society of South Asian Archaeology (SOSAA), Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2010) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
The ancient Sinhales are responsible for introducing the concept of hospitals to the world. According to the Mahavamsa, written in the 6th century A.C. King pandukabhaya (4th century B.C) had lying in homes and hospitals (sivikasotthi Sala) built in various parts of the country. This is the earliest literary evidence we have of the concept of hospitals. The Oldest archeological evidence we have so far of a hospital is in the ruins of Mihintale. The layout of the building and discovery of a medical through prove this. According to the Mahawams king Sena II (853-887A.C.) had built a hospital complex. We are not quite certain whether this reference is to the present hospital, which is in ruins at the site. The plan of Mihintale hospital complex is interesting. Thirty one rooms can be identified. All the rooms are arranged on a high platform. I have identified number distinctive features in this hospital complex. They are consulting room, Rooms for hot water baths, Outer court, Inner verandah court yard, Shrine room and Room for medicinal bath.
The ancient Medical Tradition in Sri Lanka
(34th Annual International Conference, Social History Society University of Wat-wick, United Kingdom, 2009) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
The Circulation of coins in the Anuradhapura Kingdom in Sri Lanka
(Knowledge for Development, annual Research Symposium, RCSS, Sri Lanka, 2011) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
It is not certain as to when the use of coins was commenced in Sri Lanka. According to the literary sources and archaeological sources in Sri Lanka, it is obvious that there was a system of barter. It has been accepted that the traders from across the world, have always visited the island from time immemorial. According to Fa Hsian?s? record, the early inhabitants of the island, namely the Yakkha had left their goods on the sea shore with the prices, affixed with the goods, and the traders had come ashore where the relevant value was paid, prior the goods were bought. Fa Hsian?s account does not categorically state as to how money was paid and how the value of the goods relevant was marked. Perhaps it might speak of an era where money was not yet known, and it could perhaps by the barter system of trade. Since the Anuradhapura period in the internal and the external trade, the exchange of goods as well as that of the usage of coins had been practiced. The main medium of exchange in the internal trade was the kahavanu. The oldest coins found so far in Sri Lanka belong to the 3rd and the 4th century B.C. During the initial period of this century, it is reported that symbols such as arms, the human figures, animal motifs, the sun and so on had been used in the punch marked coins. These punch marked coins, on which the elephant and Swasthika had been manufactured, were found in Padaviya, Trincomalee, Seegiriya and Mahatitha from the 1st A.C. to 4th century A.C. The said coins were followed by Sri Lakshmi coins, and afterwards for the 2nd century A.C. to the 4th century A.C, the coins in which the loins and the buffalo motifs inscribed, had been used. After 1017 A.C, during the reign of the Chola kings, the copper coins had been taken in to the usage.
The Nature of the Internal Trade in the Kingdom of Anuradhapura
(International Conference - the Inter University Cooperation Program RegionalStability through Economic, Social andEnvironmentalDevelopment in the GreatMekongSub-RegionalandAsia Pacific, Sri Lanka, 2011) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
The religious intercourse between Sri Lanka and Thailand as depicted in Jinakalamali
(Annual research symposium, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2008) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
The book Jinakalamali, the chronicle of Siam, contributes to the study of Sri Lankan history. This book gives many details about the religious intercourse between Sri Lanka and Siam in 13th ? 15th centuries. Ratanapachcha thero was the author of it. This book discloses I. Enshrining of the relic in Seruvila stupa II. Religious contribution of the kings in the Anuradhapura period (Devanampiyatissa to Mahasena) III. A special Buddhist statue seehalapatima which was brought from Sri Lanka to Siam and the homage it received from the leaders of Siam. IV. Contribution of Udumbara Mahasama of Sri Lanka and his followers to develop the Siam religious activities. Most of the information given in Jinakalamali could be proved through inscription in Siam. If not for the Mahavansa some information given in the Jinakalamali could not have been correctly understood as they are given in such a shorter form. However the value of Jinakalamali is the book reveals the contribution of Sinhalese Buddhist monks to establish Buddhism in Siam.
The role of the traders in monetary transactions in ancient Sri Lanka
(Culture, Globalization and the Developing World, 2nd ICSS, 2013) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
Hereby, attention is focused on the study of the monetary transactions in the Anur?dhapura period which runs from the 6th B.C. to 1017 A.C. In order to understand the nature of the internal trade of the Anuradhapura period, the inscriptions are found from the places such as Vilbavehera, Bambaragastalawa, Peripuliynkulama, Situlpawwa. The best inscription that can be taken into consideration during the study of the nature of the internal trade of Sri Lanka is the Badulla pillar inscription, which belongs to the reign of king III Udaya or IV Udaya. This particular pillar inscription was found by, Mr Jone Belli, a deputy British agent in the year of 1857, within close proximity to the reservoir of Sorabora, which was around three miles from the East of the Mihiyangana Dageba. It has been inscribed that the trade had been practiced in a town by the name of ?Hopitigamuwa?. The prologue of the inscription states that the traders and the dwellers had submitted a petition on the malpractices done, to the king Udaya, during an official visit to the Mahiyangana Dageba. With reference to the Badulla pillar inscription, it is said, that those days the scales had been used in order to measure the grain. According to the Badulla inscription, it is understood that the bulls had been used for the transportation of goods. According to the Moragoda inscription, both buffalos and the bulls had been used. It is believed that in the ancient Sri Lanka, there existed a system which is similar to that of the present day banking system in order to deposit money and grain, and this particular financial institution was introduced as ?Niyamatana?. The inscriptions of Thonigala and Labuatabedigala clearly provide with further information.
The Role of the Traders in Monetary Transactions in Sri Lanka
(5th International Congress of Society of South Asian Archeology (SOSAA), India, 2014) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
This paper focuses on the study of the trade in the Anur?dhapura period which runs from the 6th B.C. to 1017 A.C. In order to understand the trade of the Anuradhapura period, the inscriptions are found from the places such as Vilbavehera, Bambaragastalawa, Peripuliynkulama, Situlpawwa. The best inscription that can be taken into consideration during the study of the trade of Sri Lanka is the Baddula pillar inscription, which belongs to the reign of king III Udaya or IV Udaya. This particular pillar inscription was found by, Mr Jone Belli, a deputy British agent in the year of 1857, within close proximity to the reservoir of Sorabora, which was around three miles from the East of the Mihiyangana Dageba. It has been inscribed that the trade had been practiced in a town by the name of ?Hopitigamuwa?. The prologue of the inscription states that the traders and the dwellers had submitted a petition on the malpractices done, to the king Udaya, during an official visit to the Mahiyangana Dageba. With reference to the Badulla pillar inscription, it is said, that those days the scales had been used in order to measure the grain. According to the Badulla inscription, it is understood that the bulls had been used for the transportation of goods. According to the Moragoda inscription, both buffalos and the bulls had been used. It is believed that in the ancient Sri Lanka, there existed a system which is similar to that of the present day banking system in order to deposit money and grain, and this particular financial institution is introduced as ?Niyamatana?. The inscriptions of Thonigala and Labuatabedigala clearly provide with further information.
The Trade and the Traders as depicted in Epigraphy in Ancient Sri Lanka
(22nd International Conference of the European Association for South Asian Archaeology and Art (EASAA 2014) at the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities in Stockholm, Sweden, 2014) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
Hereby, my attention is focused on the study of the monetary transactions in the Anur?dhapura period which runs from the 6th B.C. to 1017 A.C. In order to understand the nature of the internal trade of the Anuradhapura period, the inscriptions are found from the places such as Vilbavehera, Bambaragastalawa, Peripuliynkulama, Situlpawwa. The best inscription that can be taken into consideration during the study of the nature of the internal trade of Sri Lanka is the Baddula pillar inscription, which belongs to the reign of king III Udaya or IV Udaya. This particular pillar inscription was found by, Mr Jone Belli, a deputy British agent in the year of 1857, within close proximity to the reservoir of Sorabora, which was around three miles from the East of the Mihiyangana Dageba. It has been inscribed that the trade had been practiced in a town by the name of ?Hopitigamuwa?. The prologue of the inscription states that the traders and the dwellers had submitted a petition on the malpractices done, to the king Udaya, during an official visit to the Mahiyangana Dageba. With reference to the Badulla pillar inscription, it is said, that those days the scales had been used in order to measure the grain. According to the Badulla inscription, it is understood that the bulls had been used for the transportation of goods. According to the Moragoda inscription, both buffalos and the bulls had been used. There existed a system which is similar to that of the present day banking system in order to deposit money and grain, and this particular financial institution is introduced as ?Niyamatana?. The inscriptions of Thonigala and Labuatabedigala clearly provide with further information.