3rd Biennial Conference - 2015

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    The Ethical Value of Great Chronicle (Mahāvṃsa), the Prime, Heritable and Historical Record of Asians
    (Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Sugunaseela Thero, Yakkaduwe; Dhammissara Thero, Niwandama
    The Mahāvaṃsa, the foremost chronicle of Sri Lanka or the Great Dynasty of Ceylon, elaborates the lineage of rulers from the arrival of Vijaya in 543 BCE to the reign of King Mahāsena (334–361) (6th Century B.C. to 4th Century A.D.).This chronicle which continues to date is considered to be the authentic source that can be cited for the purpose of recognizing the uninterrupted historicity of Ceylon. On the other hand, Mahāvaṃsa reveals the historical, political and cultural evidences not only in Ceylon but also in the other lands in the Asian region. When the overall content of the Mahāvaṃsa is scrutinized, it is apparent that the purpose of compiling this chronicle is not only to record the historicity of Ceylon based on facts but to compile the ethical cultural and philosophical facts or admonitions based on Buddhist philosophical view. Showing examples through historical incidents the Mahāvaṃsa author conveys these messages to the listeners and engages them in practicing mental and physical good deeds and turns their lives towards an ethical way. Furthermore, in each ending of a chapter he indicates that ‘This chapter in Mahāvaṃsa is compiled for the serene joy and emotion of the pious.’ Therefore, by scrutinizing the inclusion of Mahāvaṃsa, a conclusion can be drawn that the intention of compiling Mahāvaṃsa is not only to reveal historically significant factors of Ceylon but also to contribute to develop cultural and human values by encouraging listeners to observe ethical doctrinal factors. In this paper, an attempt is made to point out and examine the ethical perspectives which have been added in ‘the Great Chronicle’ by the Mahāvaṃsa author with the intention of developing ethical values in the entire society.
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    Deconstituted Heritage: The (Un)making of a ‘Buddhist’ Heritage Site in Central India
    (Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Simte, L.L.
    The ultimate aim of heritage conservation one could assert is not to conserve cultural materials for its own sake but, rather, to maintain (and shape) the values embodied by them — with physical intervention or treatment being one of many means toward that end. To achieve that end, so that the heritage is meaningful to those whom it intends to benefit, it is necessary to examine why and how heritage is valued, and by whom. The creation of cultural heritage is consequently largely derived from the way people remember, organize, think about, and wish to use the past, with a wide acknowledgment that culture is not a static but fluid, changeable, and evolving set of processes and values. The values of individuals and communities shape all conservation. Thus, these values, as represented in the object or place, are not simply ‘preserved’ but are rather, deconstituted through the conservation effort; thereby reconstituting the meaning of the object or place. This paper, while acknowledging the importance of studying the relationship between movement, memory and meaning in archaeological context to the understanding of cultural antecedents and values, works on the premise that the trails, paths and roads are physical manifestation of the movement of people through the landscape. This is instrumental/central to an understanding of sites – and consequently cultural heritage. Looking at the spatial organization of monuments at the site of Saru Maru Buddhist Stupa and Monastic Complex, this paper makes the case for a conservation practice that embraces the centrality of paths, trails, and roads as an organizing element of human lives throughout history, which, while accounting for the inherent fluidity of these features, should not lose sight of the immutable cross-generational responsibility of memory and remembrance that it entails.
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    Heritage Management Plan of Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh) with special reference to Disaster Risk Management
    (Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Kumar, V.
    The world famous site of Bhimbetka lies about 45 km south east of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, India and is spread with an aerial span of more than 8 km. Scholars have enumerated more than 700 rock shelters in these clusters in the large aerial spread. Bhimbetka reflects a long interaction between people and the landscape, as demonstrated in the quantity and quality of its rock art and is closely associated with hunting and gathering economy as demonstrated in the rock art and in the relicts of this tradition in the local adivasi villages on the periphery of this site even till date. The vast area of Bhimbetka with its varied topography, ecological settings, archaeological remains and a number of stakeholders, like the Archaeological Survey of India, Forest Department, Revenue Department and the villagers of the 21 villages located around the core zone were exploiting the forest resources besides tourist pressures on the site were some of the key players in this World Heritage site. Not only this, there are a number of authorities, having jurisdiction over the total area (including the buffer area as per the World Heritage eligibility requirements) sometimes is the various laws in discordance with the optimal management of the site. In view of the various different types of resources, organizations, responsible for its maintenance, difference of perspectives due to the emphasis on implementation of laws based on varying concerns are problems for management of the site for posterity, for tourists and for the growth of the tourism industry. The site of Bhimbetka with its vast geographical area, its large variety and quantity of natural and cultural wealth evidently has a large number of management issues that has yet to be resolved to the optimal levels of perspectives of the stake holding organizations. The foremost issue of management is disaster risk management of the site. Of all the ranges of risks such as forest fires, human vandalism, wood cutting, cattle grazing, vehicular pollution, increase rate of tourists, rock weathering, the risk of forest fires is utmost concern and hence a proper disaster risk management to overcome this risk factor is highly essential for these rock shelters. Intentional firing to remove the evidence of illegal tree falling in the area, burning of leaves as part of ground clearance of Mahua trees, smoking or casual use of fire and natural forest fire are some of the major threats to these rock shelters. This in turn results in change in bio-diversity, reduction in growth and density of vegetation, reduction in soil nutrients and extinction of many medicinal plants. Hence a proper management plan is required to safeguard this rich cultural heritage. The present paper deals in detail about the various management issues and suitable measures which can be adopted to mitigate the disaster risk management of the world heritage site.
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    The Significance of Currency as a Heritage Transmission Media: with reference to Sri Lankan Rupees
    (Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Embuldeniya, P.; Gunasekara, I.
    Currency has significance of economical, archaeological, historical, natural and cultural aspects. The main objective of this research paper is to explicate the significance of the currency as a media which transmit the Sri Lankan heritage. The research is based on data collected through field research and library survey methods. Currency is generally defined as a system of money in common use, especially in a country. Sri Lanka has long and rich historical background on currency reign from ancient period. Punched coins, Swastika coins, Lakshmi coins, Ran kahawanuwa and its pieces, Medieval copper Massa coin, Sethu coins of Jaffna, Panama and Angutumassa / Hook coin are some of the local coins used in the ancient period. Apart from that, some of the foreign coins were used in Sri Lanka in the ancient time. Sri Lankan Rupee is the currency of Sri Lanka at present. Coins and Banknotes were frequently introduced to Sri Lankan currency. Moreover, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has issued commemorative coins and banknotes on several occasions. Those coins and banknotes illustrated several aspects of Sri Lankan heritage such as traditional dance, traditional events, heritage sites, landscapes, industries, achievements, fauna and flora. Both cultural and natural aspects of heritage in Sri Lanka are transmitted through currency. Hence, there are several benefits in promoting this function as tourist attraction through museums, cultural events, culture based tours, nature based tours and heritage tours. Among these, currency museums are vital as an establishment of heritage. This research will propose cultural events as well as culture and nature based heritage tours focusing on the illustrated aspects of Sri Lankan coins and banknotes. Cultural and natural aspects of heritage in Sri Lanka, the significance of Sri Lankan currency, historical background of currency and heritage of Sri Lanka are also be discussed through this research