History

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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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    Historical value of Dipavamsam
    (Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2003 - Faculty ofGraduate Studies, University ofKelaniya, 2003) Gunawardana, V.D.N.S.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.