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Author: search.filters.author.Wanninayaka Sudharmawathie

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    An Examination of Relations between Lanka and Other Countries: with Special Reference to Yapahuwa Period of Sri Lankan History
    (5TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF SOCIETY OF SOUTH ASIAN ARCHAEOLOGY, 2014) Wanninayaka Sudharmawathie
    After the decline of Rajarata civilization, the Kingdoms of the country shifted to the Southwest. Hereafter, locations were chosen as capitals based on defense. Yapahuwa was also such place which became the seat of rule for a brief period. The place at Yapahuwa was built on a rock which was situated in the middle of a valley. The only king who ruled from Yapahuwa was King Bhuvanekabahu I. However, his reign at Yapahuwa is noted in the history of Sri Lanka because of various relations with foreign countries. The objective of this paper is to discuss the nature of foreign relations of Lanka during the Yapahuwa Period. Both Primary and Secondary Sources were used to gather relevant facts and information to achieve the assigned objective. In interpreting data, both literary and archaeological sources were used. It is clear that Lanka had relation with South India, China and Egypt at the time. The nature of these relations varied and there were political, trade and religious relations. When considering the South Indian invasions at the time, it can be said that the invasions was a continuation of previous such invasions to the island. However, as depicted by the architectural remains there were also cordial relations with foreign countries during this period. Bhuvanekabahu I can be considered as a king who made an effort to develop foreign trade. This fact is very clear from his policy of continuing the trade activities with china which was initiated during the Anuradhapura Period. Lanka became a part of the international trade activities carriedout through the Indian Ocen. This had affected positively to Lankan economy.
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    THE ECONOMIC CONDOTIONS OF THE DAMBADENIYA PERIOD AS DEPICTED BY THE ROYAL DONATIONS TO THE BUDDHIST SANGHA
    (2ND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL SCIENCES, 22-13 NOVEMBER 2013 FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF KELANIYA, 2013) Wanninayaka Sudharmawathie
    This paper focuses on the relationship between the economic conditions of the Dambadeniya Period and the Royal Donations to the Buddhist Sangha. The political instability during the last phase of the Rajarata civilization resulted in shifting of the capital to Dambadeniya. King Vijayabahu III was able to manage the political conditions of the Maya Rata with Dambadeniya as the center of administration. He managed to create a political atmosphere which enabled himself and his successor to develop religious and economic conditions in the kingdom. Until the 13th century AD the economy of the dry zone depended on the system of irrigation developed by the past kings. Although the seat of administration shifted to the South-west with the establishment of the Dambadeniya kingdom economic conditions of the country did not undergo a radical change. However trade was gradually becoming a very important sector in the economy. This was probably due to the political stability and the geographical conditions of the South-west i.e. the natural harbours. As a result of these combined economic activities the economic conditions of the Dambadeniya Period were relatively good. In 1215 AD Magha, of Kalinga in South India, invade the island and captured power in Polonnaruwa. He followed a deliberate policy of destroying Buddhism. He and his forces started harassing the Sangha and destrying places of Buddhist worship in Rajarata. Therefore the main challenge faced by Dambadeniya Kings was to restore Buddhism to its past glory. Dambadeniya rulers worked tirelessly for the development of Buddhism as the state religion. The royal donations to the Buddhist Sangha were one step taken by these kings the view of developing Buddhism. According to many sources almost all the royal donations this period have been made with the objective of protecting and stabilizing Buddhism as a religion. The objective of this paper is to find out the connection between the positive economic conditions of the Dambadeniya period and the Royal Donations to the Sangha. Primary sources, both literary and archaeological, would be analyzed for this end. It is clear from the primary historical sources that the favourable economic conditions of the Dambadeniya period enabled the kings to donate immensely to the Buddhist institutions and the Sangha, and as a result, the stability and strength of Buddhism as the state religion improved.
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    A critical study of the efforts made by the successive rulers of Dambadeniya period in order to safeguard and protect the sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha
    (1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL SCIENCES, 18-20 JULY 2008 FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF KELANIYA, 2008) Wanninayaka Sudharmawathie
    In the history of Ceylon, the change of capitals for the third time occurred in the city of Dambadeniya in 1232 A.D. under the king of III Vijayabahu of Dambadeniya became the center of power and overall authority. When examining and analyzing the courses and effects of the decline of Polonnaruwa and the rise of Dambadeniya, Sri Lankan was engrossed in a formidable predicament. This came about as a result of the invasion launched by an unscrupulous invader Magha from the state Kalinga in India. By his invasion, he degraded the political, economic, social and religious harmony and dignity in the country. The contemporary Bhikkus who had seen this situation had exerted enormous energy to combat this state of affairs, mainly to safeguard and protect the sacred tooth relic from the invader. The Bhikkus who engaged themselves in this arduous and meritorious deed, having hidden the sacred tooth relic underground at Kotmale and left the country in order to escape from death. The Dambadeniya dynasty comprises III Vijayabahu, II Parakramabahu, IV Vijayabahu and I Buanekabahu. Among the religious services and activities performed by this rulers pertaining to the secret tooth relic took an important place. The most important duty of III Vijayabahu on he becoming the king was to call back from the India the Bhikkus who had left the country for fear of death, and to restore the sacred tooth relic which was hidden at Kotmale to Dambadeniya. From that time rulers had taken scrupulous care to protect and guard the sacred tooth relic. This study is made on historical literature and archaeological data. The conclusions arrived in this study are: 1. There had been a strenuous effect throughout this period to safeguard and protect the sacred tooth relic. 2. There were religious performances connected with the tooth relic, exhibition of the tooth relic ,periodical processions connected with sacred tooth relic. 3. In addition to above, the possession, the possession of the sacred tooth relic had been the symbol of power and kingship.