BOOK REVIEW TITLE : THE KANDY ASALA MAHA PERAHARA AUTHOR: LORNA DEWARAJA PUBLISHERS VIJITHA YAPA PUBLICATIONS 2018 REVIEWED BY HEMANTHA SITUGE

BOOK REVIEW

TITLE  :                                                 THE KANDY ASALA MAHA PERAHARA

AUTHOR:                                             LORNA DEWARAJA

PUBLISHERS                                       VIJITHA YAPA PUBLICATIONS

REVIEWED BY HEMANTHA SITUGE

Blog                                                       : Hemantha Situge@blogspot.com

Email                                                     : hsituge@gmail.com

The splendid opus entitled: The Kandy Asala Maha Perahera written by Dr Lorna Devaraja published by the Vijitha Yapa Publications was released recently.

This book is dedicated by her to her grand children scattered all over the world. Dr Lorna  Srimathie Devaraja was an Associate Professor in History attached to the University of Colombo, a historian of repute who passed away on 27^th November 2014.The book is a posthumous publication and the last book written by her.

Dr Devaraja’s  preface of the book reads as follows :

“For a greater part of my life, I have been interested in the history and the social institutions of the Kandyan Kingdom. How half a million  impoverished souls, not particularly warlike, politically disturbed and economically strangled withstood the attacks of three European powers at the height of their prowess and preserved the independence of their country for  three centuries has always been to me a source of bewilderment. Since the Kandy Perahara is considered a microcosm of Kandyan state and society, my interest quite naturally turned towards this grand spectacle. However, it was not merely academic interest that prompted me to write this book. Watching the calm and dignified manner with which the Maligava tusker carried his sacred burden, majestically walking along the pavada or white cloth laid at its feet: listening  to the rhythmic throb of the drums reverberating in the Kandyan  hill slopes and observing the dignity and decorum with which both man and beast behaved during the entire period of this spectacular event evoked within me serene joy and emotion. Hence this book is the result of both academic curiosity and aesthetic emotion.”

The book spans into sixty two glossy pages replete with fifteen colour photographs and    six black and white photographs on the flags and banners  of pure bliss.At pages  59-60 the book contains a bibiliography and at pages 61-2 contains a glossary of used terms. The book is treatise paid by her as a tribute to the motherland . Dr. Devaraja has profusely quoted from Robert Knox, D.H.Lawrence , Dr. James Duncan , Dr. H.L. Seneviratne Prof Ralph Peiris , Prof G.P. Malalasekara , Sir. Richard Aluvihare , Prof Anuradha Seneviratne , Sir Richard Aluvihare and Major Jonathan Forbes.

Dr Devaraja’s words  found in her preface is more apposite to ascertain the contents of the book thus:

“This book consists of 10 chapters. Chapter One gives the vicissitudes of the Tooth Relic from the time it left the funeral pyre of the Blessed one, its sojourn in India for eight centuries and its arrival in Sri Lanka in the fourth century. Chapter Two describes how the Tooth Relic became the palladium of sovereignty of the Sri Lanka rulers and as the capitals charged the kings took the Relic with them till it arrived at its final resting place in Kandy. In Chapter  Three I have given an account of the Gods and Festivals in the Kandyan Kingdom and the amalgamation of the Dalada Festival with the Festivals of the Gods on the orders of King Kirti Sri Rajasimha. Chapter four and five briefly deals with the State and Society in the Kandyan Kingdom and the Dalada Maligava and its functionaries. Chapter Six, Seven and Eight, which form the heart of the book give an in depth study of the preperations for the Perahara, its composition in Kandyan times and its significance and symbolism. Chapter Nine discusses the tragic repercussions on the Perahara under the British. Chapter Ten shows how the Dalada Maligava is trying its best to keep the Perahara going, retaining its sanctity, despite all the challenges it has to face due to the political and socio-economic changes of the present day. But in spite of such devitations,  Ceylon is Buddhist, and has remained Buddhist through persecutions and persuastions, ravage and rewards, bringandage and bribery. R.Raven Hart, Ceylon History in Stone, 1981.”

This reviewer has read and re-read this book. The reviewer finds that the  monograph merits his comments cited below:

The earliest engraving of the perahera well-nigh two hundred years old is executed   by Lt.William Lyttleton is reproduced by her at pages xxii of her book. The reviewer observes that R K de Silva's 19th Century Newspaper Engravings Serendib publication 1998  has published two engravings on the perahera in pages 80-82  which is culled from "The Graphic" July 25, 1885 . De Silva's book  from pages 212-227, the account on the Dalada exhibited to the Prince  are also found therein.The Perahera  extracted from The illustrated London News dated 8th January 1876 where the Prince of Wales participated is found from Visions of an Island by Neville Weeraratne from the rare works from Sri lanka in the Christopher Ondaatji collection Harper Collins Ltd 1998 .

At page 41 Dr. Devaraja has stated that ‘the account of Dr. John Davy and Charles Pridham is heresay’. Davy came to SriLanka in August 1816 see: preface xi  John Davy’s An account   King Sri Wickrama Rajasinha was sent in exile in 24^th January 1816 as he was captured on 18^th February 1815.It is evident therefore that Davy was not in Ceylon during the tenure of the last king , and the his comment that were based on  eleven months after.It is the bone of contention put forward by this reviewer that on account of hearsay itself Davy’s account could not be rejected as he  could have some veracity of contents recorded by him.Charles Pridham like Rev. Robert Fellowes and Frederic Moore never sighted Ceylon . As Davy was published by 1821 his account would have  been based on his account.

At page 50 of Dr Devaraja ‘s book she has stated that:

“ The Kandyan Convention was signed on 3^rd March 1815 amidst brilliant scenes in the Hall of Audience of the Kandyan Kings……..”The Kandyan Convention was never signed on 2^nd March 1815. The date 3^rd March as stated by Dr. Devaraja should be considered as a lapsus calamai or lapsus pennae.

What this reviewer cannot comprehend is that the king who was sent on exile has not placed his signature to the Tamil translated version of the Kandyan Convention and it was only his retinue who has done so . vide : Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society    NS Volume xi ,1967 from pages 78-92 the article titled: A Critical Edition of the Tamil Documents Relating to the Deportation of the Sri Vickrama Rajasimha’s Relatives by S. Thananjayarajasingham.

At page 56 Dr. Devaraja has stated that:" ......The Paddy Lands Act of 1956 further diminished the power of the "Monastic Landlords" to receive the tenurial obligations from the Tenants of the Temple Lands...."It is the fervent view of this reviewer  that The Nindagama Lands Act No 30 of 1968 ( Chapter 301) Legislative Enactments Volume XI  pages 435-440 unofficial 1980 is 'An act to abolish the services due from the tenants and holders of Nindagama Lands to the Proprietors thereof, to make such tenants and Holders the absolute owners of such lands , to provide for the registration of such tenants and holders as absolute owners thereof .....' This statute came into force from 3rd January 1970 was more a contributory factor than the Paddy Lands Act which 'diminished the power of monastic landlords'.

It is the fervent view of the reviewer that Dr. Devaraja should have sought recourse to two scholarly Sinhalese works on the subject. They are viz:Dalada Ithihasaya saha Sanskruthiya -The History of the Tooth Relic and the Culture- by Rev Kamburugamuwe Vajira , the Phd thesis submitted by him to the University of Peradeniya in 1974 published in 1983  by Tisara publications and a  more  recent work by  Rev Walasmulle Wimalagnagna titled: Sri Dalada Vahanse saha Ashritha Puja Vidi -The Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha and the Rites associated with it -Godage publications 2013 .

Ven. Dr Vajira's excellent exposition has brought into light that the accounts on the advent of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha found in the epic such as Mahawamsa and Dathawamsa is amply corroborated by archaeological evidence as elicited by Prof Amaradasa Liyanagamaga in his Phd thesis published titled: "The Decline of Polonnaruwa and the Rise of Dambadeniya   Dept. of Cultural Affairs in 1968.

The reviewer finds that in all these scholars and writers    have not considered J. Gerson da Cunha's monograph entitled:' Memoir on the History of the Tooth Relic of Ceylon' London in 1875 reprinted by AES publications in 2001.

Dr Devaraja's erudite treatise entitled: " The Kandy Asala Maha Perahera" would serve as a vade maecum on the Asala Perahera . This excellent  opus undoubtedly, is a true tribute by Dr Devaraja to her motherland and  a bid adieu before her departure from us in the long  journey of samsara.           

THE DEVIL BIRD OF SRI LANKA -THE CAUSE OF ITS SHRIEK THAT PORTENDS THE OMEN ? BY HEMANTHA SITUGE

SATHASIVAM OF CEYLON - THE BATTING LEGEND BY PROF RAVINDRA FERNANDO PUBLISHED BY VIJITHA YAPA PUBLICATIONS 2012 September REVIEWED BY HEMANTHA SITUGE

Prof. Ravindra Fernando's splendid book entitled: " Sathasivam of Ceylon - The Batting Legend" published by Vijitha Yapa publications. in 20-12 is a biography  of the   much wanted cricketing career of the controversial Mahadevan Sathasivam the exceptional legendary cricketer who carved a niche in the annals of Cricket of Ceylon. later Sri Lanka.

Mahadevan sathasivam popularly alluded as "Satha" is undoubtedly the Ceylon has ever produced as the best in the world . We owe Prof. Ravindra Fernando for his painstaking research who has placed same of record for posterity resurrecting " Satha" from the oblivion , if not generations and generations to come  would  this 'magic wands' saga as a mere unimaginable fable!!!

The reviewer has had the opportunity to read and re-read this opus of Prof. Fernando's and finds that there are some lapses included in the book. The first chapter is titled: '  Cricket in Sri lanka 'the reviewer wishes to advocate the title as the ' Origins of Cricket in Ceylon' now Sri lanka.

Some articles cited in the book are not enlisted from pages 188-189 'Bibliography for the benefit of readers.y are viz: at page 17 Noel Padmaperuma's article published in 1984 ' where the vital cogent piece of evidence that establishes legendary cricketers innocense beyond doubt on the accusation of the murder most foul of his first wife .

 

Batticaloa Bibiliography Compiled by S. J. Selvarajah 1989 Published by the MUNICIPAL COUNCIL BATTICALOA Reviewed by HEMANTHA SITUGE

ASOKA WEERARATNE BIRTH CENTENARY 1918-2018 AT THE MAHAWELI CENTRE AUDITORIUM 15-12 -2018

Gayan Chanuka Vidanapathirana 'a Bulathgama Dhammalankara Sri sumanatissa maha swamindra Charithaya The biography of Bulathgama Dhammalankara Sri Sumamanatissa in Sinhalese published by Dayawansa Jayakody and Company 2018 Reviewed by HEMANTHA SITUGE

BIBILOGRAPHY ON FR. S.G. PERERA REVISED AND UPDATED BY HEMANTHA SITUGE

The writer/ compiler made a request from Rev Dr Fr Aloysius Pieris to trace him a copy of the bibiliography published in the page 120-128 The Aloysian 1915-1990 as he could not trace the copy donated by him to the RAS library . Hence this research.

Saman C. Liyanage's " Siripada Veherapathi Sirinives Maha Yati" - Welivitiye Siriniwasa loku hamuduruwan saha Baddegama vadaye Nopala Pasutalaya ( The incumbent of Siripada the Sirinives High Order the High Priest Welivitiye Siriniwasa and unpublished background of Baddegama Vadaya ) published by Sri Saranankara Sanvardana Foundation Reviewed by Hemantha Situge

• Saman C. Liyange's book entitled : Siripada Veherapathi Sirinives Maha Yathi ( the incumbent of Siripada ; the Sirinives' of high order ) was published by Sri Saranankara Development Foundation in September 2013.

This opus is dedicated to the Gothatuwa lineage of monks and their  Dayaka's who treated them with all respect.

The book is based on the life of the high priest Welivitiye Sirinivasa who passed away on the 15th of July  2015, at the ripe old age of 92 years . Saman C Liyanage has turned aback in time embarking on a journey of historiography in appreciation of the pivotal role of the high priest draws this publication in biographical depiction.

The indispensable value of this book is that the high priests recollections are a gift for posterity.We owe a debt of gratitude for Saman  C.  Liyanage for his foresight.and the yeoman services rendered.

The High Priest seems to possess a prodigious and a tenacious memory to retain all essential minute details pertaining to the temple .Had not Saman C. Liyanage placed them on record these wealth of material would have been buried in the sands of time.

What whetted  curiosity of this reviewer is that Ven Baddegama Sumangala thero who sparked  the seed of controversial thought that led to the Baddegama Vadaya  or the controversy of Baddegama , his origins were not documented by Prof. Tissa Kariyawasam who wrote initially in his doctoral thesis submitted in 1971 which was subsequently published by S.Godage International publishers in 2009  entitled:"Religious activities and the Development of a New Poetical Tradition in Sinhalese 1852-1906 " thereafter one of  his write ups is  found in this book of Saman C. Liyanages' it self .vide appendix found at pages xi to xviii  and the Sampurna Baddegama Vadaya [ The Complete Baddegama Vadaya ] in Sinhalese 2015 Godage edition. Also it is matter to be stressed and taken into serious account that the  well-known writer Bandupala Guruge vouches the fact Ven Baddegama Sumangala hails from his family.

However, more research is advocated as the need of the hour by this reviewer Ven Kalawane Ratnapala who began the lineage of the Gotatuva yathi parapura -lineage of monks of Gotatueva - was a monk from the up country Malwatte temple  who was not in the good books of the colonial rulers. The most essential feature of this Chief priest  is that neither he  belong to the Totagamuwa lineage of monks  nor any details of his ordaining as a monk or receiving the higher upasampada ordination is known to anyone. The reviewer could not trace any information from Kapila Pathirana Vimaladarama's Sacerdotal Sussession of Sri Lankan Buddhist Monks -since 1753 Volume 1 and 2 Varuni publishers 2013 . It is very likely that he hailed from Kalawana of the  Sabaragamuwa district.

The  reviewer wishes to make the following comments on the Saman C. Liyanage's biography of this High priest.Thus:

 At page 16 the oyster dish vide Sir J. Emerson Tennent's Ceylon Vol. II at page 649 Tisara edition The rest house in Bentota ' the delicacy for which Bentotte has a local renown ,oysters taken off the  rocks in the adjoining estuary'.

At page 27 the last monk to attain arahathhood Maliyadewa rahathan wahanse  is commonly known as a erroneous account.

At page 28 Bambarende Kurumbure Poorwarama rajamaha viharaya  vide pages 90-1 of Wehelle Dhammadinmna Shasana Ithihasaya  by Kirielle Gnavimala thero 1975.

At page  31 of his book Saman C. Liyange says that the wattle and daub hut in Gotatuva watte or garden were the modest beginnings of the  chaithyaramaya of Siripadagodella  on 25th July 1825. This reviewer assumes that this temple is very likely  to be the oldest in Baddegama. Rev . James Selkirk's 'Recollections of Ceylon'- after A residence of nearly thirteen years as a Church Missionary Society missionary published in London in 1844 the earliest published record on the Siripadgodella temple dated 2nd December 1836 was not traced by the author found at pages 468 to 471 of this book . According to Rev. Selkirk himself  he became in charge of the CMS station in Baddegama only  in the latter part of 1836   .Thus:

 "SMALL TEMPLE OF THE " BLESSED FOOT. Dec.2 , I went with the interpreter this evening to a small temple, about two miles from Baddegama, where is a mark of the Sri Pada , or " blessed foot" , similar to the one which is on the top of Adam's Peak ,(see Dec .29 ,supra) and to which such vast crowds of worshippers are drawn every year. It appears that a priest in this neighbourhood some years ago ,went to the Peak , and took the measure of the  "foot" ,and on his return got a stone- mason to cut one out similar to it. This was erected on the top of a hill in this neighbourhood,and enclosed within a small building. Great number of people come at certain seasons of the year to make offerings to it. I measured the length of it, and found it to be seventy -two inches ; the breadth is thirty sixty inches .* The length of each of the toes ,which are all alike,is fifteen inches and the breadth of each seven inches and a half. When I asked the priest , who resides at a pansala near the place , what sort of a body the person must have had enormous a foot,he said, with much of gravity , "Don't you know that our Buddha is eighteen cubit high? By the cubit is here meant two feet three inches. We had long conversation with him.He would not acknowledge that there was Creator, but maintained that everything took place according to the Kusal and Akusal, the merit and demerit of actions done in a former birth.He brought forward the usual Buddhist objections against a Creator, that some men  Are rich , and others poor some lame ,blind,deaf &c. I endeavoured to show him that this was rather a proof that there was God than that there was not : as, if all were rich ,or healthy , or good , there would be no room for the poor, and in the minds of the healthy when they relieve the sick. I said too, that according to their system, of things happening according to the Kusal or Akusal of the individual, they would have no means of obtaining merit , if there were no poor persons to be cured.He said" Yes"; but in such a manner as showed that though at the time he thought it proper, he believed it to be contrary to their books , and therefore false.He asked us for money ,which gave us the opportunity of charging him with sin in breaking Buddha's commands ,as one of them says that money is not to be touched by a priest . This he evaded, by saying that he asked money , not as a priest but as a man . He was a very good-tempered man and took in good part all we said , and received one of our tracts, though with some reluctance ,at parting. I found a leaf of the Act of the Apostles , in Singhalese , cut out into two fantastic figures, and pasted on one of the doors of this temple , and another leaf cut so as to represent the sun on the other door. the priest said they were cut and put there by some boys.* This is little from the one on the   Adams peak, which is five feet seven inches long , and two feet seven inches broad. See Dec. 29 ,1836, supra."

This reviewer ventures to state that this account is a  biased account by a CMS missionary.  The priests requesting of cash well could be said that a request for a donation to build the temple which was in the process of  development.The value of this account is that it is the only written description which  substantiates the legends  based on the temple and its founder Rev Kalvane Ratnapala .      


At page 37  that there was  a oral debate thus there was no oral debate at the Baddegama vadaya.

At page 93 Herbert Charles Jacob Peiris  who was later known as Devar Suriya Sena , Music of Sri Lanka by  Devar Suriya Sena Vijitha Yapa publications 2008 .'Of Sri Lanka I Sing' -The Life Times of Devar Suriyasena 1978 published by the Ranco printers Colombo was his autobiography.He co-authored together with W T Keble the biography on his father titled: ' The Life of Sir James Pieris 'Times of Ceylon Colombo 1950.

At page 97 on George Winter see: at page 170-1, J.  Penry Lewis's 'List of Tombstones and Monuments 'published by the Government printer 1913 serial no 556 January 21.1853 there is a memorial plaque at the Dutch Reformed  Church Fort Galle thus: 'Sacred to the Memory of George Winter Esqr. of Baddegama near Galle who departed this life 21st January 1853,aged 55 years '.Lewis also has stated that his tombstone is found at the All Saint's Church [Church of England ] cemetery which is not enlisted in his book .At page 203 under Baddegma Church Yard burial and tombstone  of George Walter Winter October 24th, 1825 .George Winter's son Alfred Octavius's burial and the tombstone is found there. It is evident that the Baddegama Church Yard has the earliest George Walter Winter. Also the 'Winter ferry -the Winter totupala' is  hitherto reminiscent of the Winters at Baddegama.The news paper editor was George Winter ,whose the plaque  is found at the Dutch  Reformed Church Galle.

At page 108 there is reference on the opening of the "Sigiri " cinema . A part of the photograph is found with SWRD Bandaranaike  published in the " Bandaranaike Parivarthana Yugaya "[ Transitional period of Bandaranaike by Henry Abeywickrama [ in Sinhalese ] published by Hansa Prakasakayo in 1971 .A better detailed photo was seen by the reviewer at the cinema itself.

At page 131 this reviewer finds an error that it was not the 'Lankalokaya press' that was owned by the Bulathgama High priest. vide: pages 96 to 104 Pagngnasekra K Rev titled: Sinhala Puwath path Sangara Ithihasaya volume 1  and that he owned Lankopakara press. It is assumed that Lankalokaya press became Grantodaya press  which had  published  the First Sinhalese Newspaper vide: at pages 191 Kularatne Tilak book titled: 'History of Printing and Publishing in Ceylon 1736-1912' ,2006  an author publication. From Galle in 1938  it was removed to Baddegama thereafter to Weliwatta Dangedara .In 1942 it was taken back to Galle and was installed as the Grantodaya possible location is "Ice Mola Handiya aka Badahela junction in Miniwangada[ Minuwangoda ] Galle [ per comm with late Rev Akuretiye Nandasara threo]. Finally  it was removed to Baddegama again in 1945 to house it at the present permanent location.

The most noticeable omission is that the photographs of Ven. Welivitiye Pugngnasara,which could be traced from the photograph at the hall of  Vidyaloka  Pirivena  Wackwella road Galle  or from  the booklet published by Ven. Ganegama Sarankara at the eve of his death occurred on 03-04- 1957 , his brother Kanapendala Gamage Caranelis Appuhamy proprietor of the 'Grantodaya' and of the Columbian  press dated 1859 '-which later became 'Grantodaya'.

The high priest Rev Welivitiye Sirinivasa thero is indeed " Dulabbo Purisa Gnano Gnaso Sabbatu Jayatu " [ Such men( erudite legendary monks ) are rare; Rarely are they born].















 

THE ORIGINS OF THE FAMILY OF MONARAVILA KEPPETIPOLA OUR NATIONAL HERO

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Keppetipola Disawa.
Born	Udugoda, Udasiya Pattuwa, Matale, Sri Lanka
Died	25 November 1818 Kandy, Sri Lanka
Cause of death	Executed by beheading
Resting place	Sri Lanka
Residence	Kandy, Sri Lanka
Nationality	Sinhala
Other names	Monarawila Keppetipola, Keppetipola Disawe
Occupation	Disawe of Matale & Disawe of Uva
Known for	Leading the Uva Rebellion of 1818
Home town	Matale
Spouse(s)	Delwala Ethanahamy (Rathnapura)
Children	2 sons
Parent(s)	Golahela Disawe (Father),Monaravila Kumarihamy (Mother)
Relatives	Ehelepola Kumarihamy (Younger sister)

WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF THE PANSIYA PANAS JATAKA POTA - 550 BIRTH STORIES OF BUDDHA ? BY HEMANTHA SITUGE

ARE WE A NATION WITHOUT A NATIONAL SPORT ? BY HEMANTHA SITUGE

The National Sports of Sri Lanka is well-known as Volley Ball. If one pose this question to a child the prompt answer would be Volley Ball.Though Volley Ball is known as our National Sport there is no legal sanction that this sport has received as our National Sports.The premise that the Volley Ball is our National Sport is therefore a palpably a myth which contains no iota of truth.

Hitherto the only report that exists on the National Sport is Vini Vitharana's Committee Report of 1991 appointed by the then Minister of Sports Nanda Mathew.The Minister appointed a Committee of intelligentsia  to choose the National sport of country. The key person in appointing the said Committee was said to have been Charitha Ratwatte stronghold of the UNP who was said to have had connections of the Volley Ball Foundation. It is said that Vini Vitharana's Committee functioned under his blessings.

The Report of the said Committee stated that out of the two sports the Committee received as final recommendations namely Volley Ball and Elle ; Volley Ball is more apposite to name as our National Sports.

Were the Authorities unaware or showed a cold shoulder that this sport was not a traditional local Sports and  the THE  CENTRAL YMCA played a pivotal role in introducing this sport to Sri Lanka?
 THE GAME VOLLEY BALL WAS INTRODUCED TO SRI LANKA ( THEN CEYLON) IN 1916 BY R.W. CAMACK , THEN THE DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AT THE COLOMBO YMCA LATER KNOWN AS CENTRAL YMCA.

MEDICAL LUMINARY DR CHRIS URAGODA STEPS INTO THE MIGHTY NINETIES SUNDAY TIMES 23 rd SEPTEMBER 2018 By HEMANTHA SITUGE AND DR . P. D. KUMARADASA

Medical luminary Dr Chris Uragoda steps into the mighty nineties

• Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)
• 23 Sep 2018
• By Hemantha Situge and Dr. P. D. Kumaradasa

Eminent medical physician, pre- eminent scholar, prolific writer, avid researcher and indef at i g able nat u re l ove r, Christopher Gunapala Uragoda, popularly alluded as "Chris" or "CG” who carves a niche in the annals of medical history reached his 90th milestone in life yesterday (Sept. 22) in the arduous journey of samsara.

Hailing from Hikkaduwa, Dr. Uragoda was first schooled at a boys' school in the area, then at the Richmond, the reputed Methodist school, and thereafter at Mahinda and Ananda, two leading Buddhist schools. Living adjacent to the sea in ‘Sandfield’ as the youngest of the three boys -- two were destined to be medical professionals and the other a lawyer -- would have seen his life through the kaleidoscope of his father, a reputed surveyor - from the stock of the Woodward day Mahindians.

Dr. Uragoda is not a mere’ 'physician of the wilderness’ who enjoyed a lucrative practice. A rare bibliophile, he also aspires to document literary pursuits for posterity on novel themes. His maiden book titled: ‘A History of Medicine in Sri Lanka: From the earliest times to 1948' which he authored to mark the centenary of the Sri Lanka Medical Association Colombo in 1987. It was republished in 2014’. This book was later translated into Sinhala. His second book, ‘ Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka,' was published in 1994 to mark the centenary of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society. In this book, he traces the formative days of the Society through rare sources such as the minutes of the early days which were almost irretrievably lost in the whirligig of time.

His third opus was released as a Sridevi publication titled: ‘Traditions of Sri Lanka’ in 2000. This was initially his Presidential address delivered at the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (RAS) in 1990 on the topic ''A Scientific basis for some traditional beliefs and practices in Sri Lanka''. The book ran into a reprint in 2008. Dr. Uragoda had the rare distinction of being the second medical professional to hold office as the President of RAS; the first was Dr. J. Frazer from 1855-1869.

Dr. Uragoda co- edited with G. P. S. H. de. Silva the Sesquicentennial Commemorative volume of the RAS of Sri Lanka in 1995. He also edited 'Jungle Journeys in Sri Lanka: Experiences and Encounters’ published by Vishvalekha. He co-edited with Kamalika Pieris 'A Bibliography of Medical publications relating to Sri Lanka (1981-1988)’. He edited ' Bibliography of Medical publications relating to Sri Lanka (1811-1976) in 1980,‘ A Bibliography of Health ( 19771980) in 1983 and 'A Bibliography of Publications on Neurosciences relating to Sri Lanka 1811-1982’ (co-edited with J. B. Pei risa nd Kamalika Pier is) in 1983.

He wrote his 'memoirs outlining the changes that happened during a lifetime. Titled ' Sri Lanka Then and Now' it was published in 2008 by Vishvalekha publishers. In 2009 his book on ' Traditional Appliances and Practices' was published as a Sridevi Publication. This book was also deals with a new theme, like his other publications. Thereafter, he embarked on a series of books in three volumes titled ‘Authors of Books on Sri Lanka 1796- 1948 - Their Short Biographies in Alphabetical Order Volume 1. Volume II covered the period from 1949- 1975, and Volume II from 1976- 1990. All were Sridevi publications.

Last year, he wrote a personal tribute titled 'Life of Dr. Malinga Fernando - By an Intimate Friend for over 50 years. It was distributed free of charge amongst friends which is indeed a rare hallmark of a true friend. As an octogenarian he has given the next book on “Elephant Kraals” to the printer working on his personal computer. At present, he is working on an another thumbnail sketch on the medical professionals, who have excelled in other fields.

Dr. Uragoda’s whirlwind romance with Pad ma Rambukpotha bore fruition when they tied the nuptial knot on December 26, 1958. They celebrated their Golden Jubilee in 2008. He sired four children. Dr. Lalith, Neluka, Dianthie and Dishana and blessed with several grand children.

Dr. Uragoda’s ' healing touch' as an eminent medical profes- sional is legendary. He treated several prominent people, including President J. R. Jayewardene, and he was one of the most sought-after doctors by several people. Entering the medical profession in 1953 and first serving at the Galle Hospital for one week, he was fortunate to celebrate the Golden Jubilee. In 1985 he joined the Faculty of Occupational Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians of London -- so far the only Sri Lankan to serve this prestigious faculty.

Dr. Uragoda won the Guinness Award of the Common Wealth Science in 1980, the Peter Pillai award and the Sir SC Obeysekera Medal awarded by Lady Hilda Obeysekera of the RAS in recognition of five decades of distinguished services as a life member of the society. Dr. CS Uragoda has won unending accolades from both the medical profession and the public. Naming two orations by the prestigious Sri Lanka Medical Association and the College of Chest Physicians whilst he is alive is an extremely a rare honour and recognition for his exceptional ability.

It was not of men who excelled like in the exceptional caliber of Dr Chris Uragoda that Alexander Pope who wrote: "One science shall one genius fit; so vast is art so narrow is human wit.'' It is a lamentable fact that as Henry Taylor said (Artvelde, Part 1, Act 1 Sc. 5), '' the world knows nothing of its greatest men'' which impelled us to write on Dr Chris Uragoda the onerous task, as he is an intensely a ‘private’ person who made no public pronouncements and did not/ and do not wish to be in the limelight.

Dr. Uragoda - a distinguished literati, a medical luminary, an erudite scholar - sui generis - above all an unassuming gentleman par excellence. We wish him AD MULTOS ANNOS!

Dr. Uragoda is not a mere’ 'physician of the wilderness’ who enjoyed a lucrative practice. A rare bibliophile, he also aspires to document literary pursuits for posterity on novel themes

Hemantha Situge interviewing Prof Gunther Hermann at Galle in 2012

BADDEGAMA VADAYA OF 1865 A FACSIMILE REPRINT AND A CRITICAL ANALYSIS BY HEMANTHA SITUGE

LASITH MALINGA AND UNDER 19 OPENER HASITHA BOYAGODA IN GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS 2019 BY HEMANTHA SITUGE

LASITH MALINGA AND UNDER 19 OPENER HASITHA BOYAGODA

IN GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS 2019 BY HEMANTHA SITUGE

The prestigious Guinness Book of World Records 2019 has included Sri Lanka’s well-famed slinger Lasith Malinga  for his Most International Hat tricks and the under 19 opener Hasitha Boyagoda  -most number of runs by a player in an under 19 World Cup match -in their latest edition.

The Guinness Book of World records of 2019 states that on 16^th April 2017 Lasith Malinga bowled his fourth International hat trick a remarkable feat of achievement during a T 20 International Cricket encounter against Bangladesh.

The Guinness Book of World Records also states that Lasith Malinga has equaled Pakistan renowned player Wasim Akram’s record who took four hat tricks fro 1989-1999.

The other record was reached on 23^rd January 2018 by the Sri Lankan opener Hasitha Boyagoda who scored the most number of runs of 191 which was achieved by a player in under 19 World Cup Match  against Kenya.