Browsing by Author "Yasarathna, H.B."

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Dostoevsky’s Psychology on Sinhala Cinema
(Department of Sinahala, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2016) Yasarathna, H.B.
A Historical Study of Palanquin Traveling in Ancient Kandy kingdom in Sri Lanka
(The International Conference on Land Transportation, Locomotive Heritage and Road Culture - 2017, 2017) Yasarathna, H.B.
Human transport is the oldest mode of carrying loads from one place to another. Not only carrying goods but also humans are used to carry human beings from one place to another in Palanquins. Travelling on the shoulders of servants in a cushy palanquins were reserved for royalty and much of the nobility from Anuradhapura kingdom to Kandyan era .Palanquin is a popular travelling method among Kandyan royalties than other nobles in past kingdoms of Sri Lanka. So this research is mainly focused on Palanquin travelling system in Kandyan era. And it will be a path to make people aware about this historical method of travelling which takes a lot of values in ancient transportation sub culture in Sri Lanka. From intra-textual readings, discussions with resource persons and site visits to Kandy and Colombo national heritage museums,research has got a lot of data about the historical value of palanquin travelling in ancient Sri Lanka. Specially this research is based on some of the literarical facts from “Eda Hela Diwa” by Robert Knox, “Devi Dutu Sri Lankawa” by John David, “Journey of Spilbergen”, “Lori ge Gasert”, “Persiwel Dutu Sri Lankawa”, “Sinhala Samaja Sanvidhanaya” by Ralf Peres and some archaeological facts from Pilikuththuwa Rajamaha Viharaya, National museum Colombo and Dalada Maligawa museum in Kandy and some selected resource persons’ ideas which have closer attention with ancient transport culture in Sri Lanka. When analyzing all these facts, a large number of important incidents that are related to palanquin transport in ancient Sri Lankan kingdoms and up country area were discovered. In addition it was revealed that there was a unique traditional sub culture which was related to palanquin transportation in Kandyan kingdom. Furthermore it was perceived that there were some different types of palanquins mentioned in history books and folktales. Palanquins were a status symbol, and also the specific type of palanquin was a sign of people’s wealth and social standard in ancient Sri Lanka. Depending on the owner’s status, people used different names, materials and decorating methods for palanquins and they also added some new items and developed the palanquins time to time . When analyzing all these facts the it was evident that traveling on palanquins acts an important role in ancient transport system in Sri Lanka. So the research will make people, aware of this heritage value and it gives a huge image to the world about the unique traditional transportation in Kandy kingdom.
A study of Symbols of Jain Religion which captures the Spirit (According to some selected symbols in Indian Culture)
(Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Yasarathna, H.B.
A symbol represents an ideaor a thing. So when person is lost and needs to find a way, he or she looks for a sing to take the correct dicision. The path of spirituality also needs signs at the initial stage to guide the traveler further on. These symbols also create trust and faith within oneself. Jainism is full of these guiding lighthouses that act as a becone for the lost ships of one's life. Some of them are Ahimsa Wheel, and the Primary jain symbol Ashtamangal, Tirthankara emblems, Yakshas and Yakshinis, Bells, Lotus, Mirror, AumHrim, Pratiharya etc. So this research will be a parth to make aware of people about the symbols of Jain religionwich capture the spirit, in Indian culture. From Intra-Textual readings, website readings and discussions within resource persons research has got lot of data about this symbols of Jain Religion. When analyzing all these facts research found large number of myths and believes wich related to this symbols of Jain Religion. Each symbol has a deeper meaningwich combining with Indian tradition and Hindus life. Specially the Jain symbol is a congregation of various symbols. Each having a deeper meaning. This symbol was adopted by all sects of Jainism while commemoration the 2500th anniversary of the nirvana of Lord Mahavir. The middle contains the Earth. The upper part contains the heavenly a bodes of celestial beings. The vaised hand means "Stop". The world ahimsa in the centre of the wheel means non-violence. Like vise there is a big variation of Symbols which represents in Jain Religions. Each Tirthankara has a symbol of their own for their unique identification. AumHrim are the beej mantras widely used in Yantras, Jaap, meditation and pooja and Tirthakaras sit on the lotus when giving sermons. It is also a symbol to depict how to love unattached in the world. However people who werchip Jain Religion in India are believe those symbols are essential to bring prosperity, happiness and good fortune for both of their day today life and spiritual life. The research will be make more and more aware of people about this variation of symbols of Jain Religion wich capture the Spirit, in Indian tradition.