Panadura Vadayata Nawa Prastavanawak –A New Preface to the Panadura Controversy Edited by Kahapola Sugatharatne
stavira ,Dr Lallithasiri Gunaruwan and Muditha Karunamuni published in 2003 was
re-printed and re-launched recently to coincide with the 145 th Anniversary of
the Panadura Debate or controversy.
The back cover of the book the
reader could find a quote from Rev. S. Langden which is misspelt
and published in the “ Ceylon Friend ‘ September 1873 . Who is Langden described at the page 304 of the book ? The information
or data provided is very cursory ,flippant and or inadequate
account found extracted from the book titled
:” Panadura vadaya “ by Moratuwe
Sasanarathane thero.
Langden is Rev [Dr] Samuel Langdon
was the first Principal of the Galle High school which was later known as
Richmond College Galle. The second account is on one Edward Prera an old way of Sinhalese writing .He was Edward
Francis Perera a Proctor of the Court of Request .,who functioned as the English Reporter
of the said Vadaya or Controversy. H. A. J. Hulugalle in his biography titled ; “
The Life and Times of D. R. Wijewardene “at page 88 thus: “ The greatest days
of the news papers were perhaps those under Cappers.” John Capper was back in Ceylon
in 1858 and acquired the “Ceylon Times”
of which he became the Editor . In 1874 he sold the property to a limited
liability company.
Douglas D. Ranasinghe in his centennial tribute titled :”The Lion of Kotte- His Life and Times “ 1976 an author publication ( at page 2 ) says that Edward Francis Perera was the Editor of “Ceylon Times “ also that he convened the Panadura Vadaya or Controversy. Did he convene and did he function as the editor of the said news paper too or was it John Capper as described at page 305 in this book .
Dr C. G. Uragoda in his book titled : " Author of Books on Sri Lanka " 1796-1848 Vol 1 Sridevi publications 2001 at page 163 Langdon (1847-1908) states that he was a pioneer of science education in Sri lanka who taught and introduced new techniques of science.
Douglas D. Ranasinghe in his centennial tribute titled :”The Lion of Kotte- His Life and Times “ 1976 an author publication ( at page 2 ) says that Edward Francis Perera was the Editor of “Ceylon Times “ also that he convened the Panadura Vadaya or Controversy. Did he convene and did he function as the editor of the said news paper too or was it John Capper as described at page 305 in this book .
Dr C. G. Uragoda in his book titled : " Author of Books on Sri Lanka " 1796-1848 Vol 1 Sridevi publications 2001 at page 163 Langdon (1847-1908) states that he was a pioneer of science education in Sri lanka who taught and introduced new techniques of science.
Rev R. Tebb is Rev. Robert Tebb who was attached to the Wesleyan College who
was instrumental after Rev Baugh to execute the second edition of Rev. Benjamin
Clough’s Dictionary in 1892.
The name Adward Barnes was the Governor
Edward Barnes ( 1834 – 1831 ). Vide :
pages 39 to 49 of H. A. J. Hulugalle’s “British Governors of Ceylon” 1963 ANCL
publication .Also vide Lewis in his " List of Inscriptions on Tombstones and Memorials "( see: serial no 458 page 144-5 of the book ) that there was a statue erected on Sir Barnes at the junction of the Queens street and the Prince street Fort Colombo 1 , where hitherto no shred of whereabouts could be gleaned.
The Rev. S.Coles role portrayed at the Vadaya or Controversy is unheard of however he has subsequently been a prolific writer see : Register of Books Printed in Ceylon ( infra ) 1886 no 152 to 159 Childern's Scripture Union Part 1 to 8 over 500 copies printed on each part , Rev. S. Jayasinghe is also in a unknown position. Koggala Sanghatissa stavira, Jeramias Dias’s wife Selastina Rodrigo was the founder of the Visaka College Bambalapitiya - Controversial Arthur V. Dias popularly alluded as “kosma mama”was one of their sons , Rev Talahene Amaramoli aka Galle Amaramoli vide: Register of Books Printed in Ceylon March 1885 to March 1892 in 1887 December 10 th no 481 The True Friend was published on the Principles of Buddhism printed at the Lakrivikirana press Colombo 300 copies crown 8vo 8 paged phamplet distributed in gratis was published by this monk. , Mathethes Suwaris Gunawardane, Sirimamme Kathiserutuuma , lawyer C Jayasinghe , Mudliyar Susew de Soysa and Hunupola Nilame are also characters to be researched into.
The Rev. S.Coles role portrayed at the Vadaya or Controversy is unheard of however he has subsequently been a prolific writer see : Register of Books Printed in Ceylon ( infra ) 1886 no 152 to 159 Childern's Scripture Union Part 1 to 8 over 500 copies printed on each part , Rev. S. Jayasinghe is also in a unknown position. Koggala Sanghatissa stavira, Jeramias Dias’s wife Selastina Rodrigo was the founder of the Visaka College Bambalapitiya - Controversial Arthur V. Dias popularly alluded as “kosma mama”was one of their sons , Rev Talahene Amaramoli aka Galle Amaramoli vide: Register of Books Printed in Ceylon March 1885 to March 1892 in 1887 December 10 th no 481 The True Friend was published on the Principles of Buddhism printed at the Lakrivikirana press Colombo 300 copies crown 8vo 8 paged phamplet distributed in gratis was published by this monk. , Mathethes Suwaris Gunawardane, Sirimamme Kathiserutuuma , lawyer C Jayasinghe , Mudliyar Susew de Soysa and Hunupola Nilame are also characters to be researched into.
Identification of these Dramatis
Personae portrayed in this Panadura vadaya or controversy is a sine qua non .Hence then it will be A New
Preface and a New Introduction for the Panadura Vadaya or controversy for the
150 th Anniversary. This reviewer observes that a complete bibiliography on the Panadura Vadaya or Controversy is a must that would
stimulate further research . It is also a crying need of the hour!
