BOOK REVIEW Title: Panadura Vadayata Nawa Prastavanawak –A New Preface to the Panadura Controversy Edited by Kahapola Sugatharatne stavira ,Dr Lallithasiri Gunaruwan and Muditha Karunamuni published in 2018 Reviewed by Hemantha Situge

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.

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.

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!