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The Founder of the Lake House group of newspapers in his youth

Mr. D R Wijewardena

A British Governor of Ceylon, in his Regalia

Sir William Manning

Illustrated in a book by Professor Sarathchndra

Actors wearing the masks and costume of the King and the Queen


Ploughing a paddy field

Colombo Breakwater: South-west Monsoon

(From the Official Handbook of the Ceylon Court)

The Aboriginal tribes of Sri Lanka

These photographs are featured in a book by R.L. Spittel


The Rodiyas of Ceylon
 
 
The ancestors of these people were said to have been "Dodda Vaddahs," i.e., hunters, who had to supply the royal table with game. On one occasion they furnished the kitchen with human flesh instead of the flesh of wild animals, and this the King found so tasty that he ordered them to bring more of this game. But the King's barber discovered the matter and revealed it to his Lord. The latter was so enraged at the ruthless act that the punishment of death seemed to him too light. He decided that from that time forward all Dodda Vaddahs should be cast out from human intercourse, and with their descendants should for ever lead the life of beggars without home and without possessions.

Their Language

Mr. H C P Bell, late of the Civil Service, has a considerable list of their words, compiled by the late Mr. Hulugalle, Ratemahatmaya of the Wanni Hat Pattu in the Kurunegala District.

Some of their words

01. God - Bakura
02. Demon - Munusa
03. Heaven - Bingiri
04. Sun - Ilayat-teri-ange
05. Year - Kona
06. Day - Girava
07. Moon - Hapa-teri-ange
09. Light - Hurugu
10. Darkness - Kalu-valla ali
11. Fire - dulumu
12. Water - nilatu
13. Wind - Hulanga
14. Earth - bintalavuva
15. Hill - teri-boraluva
16. Stones - Boralu
17. Lime - aharabulu
18. River - nilatu-ange
19. Sea - ter-nilatu-ange
20. Forest - raluva


The Peradeniya Gardens near Kandy from the Twentieth century impressions of Ceylon edited by a Wright

Cabbage Palms

Indiarubber-Trees

Locals picking areca nuts

Flying foxes

Some ancient Sinhalese customs and folklore
 
 
According to the late Wilmot P Wijetunga

Of Visitors. If a crow makes a guttural sound in front of the house, visitors will shortly arrive.

Of Death. The weird cry of the devil-bird portends that death will visit the house over which it flew while making the cry.

Black Ants. Long lines of these infesting a house are believed to be an ill-omen. 'Bali' ceremonies are resorted to drive them away and to counteract the future disasters which they indicate.

Cobras. The average Sinhalese seldom or never kills a cobra that might choose to make its home in his dwelling.

Eating. The best position in taking meals is facing the East which brings good luck. Facing West is also good, but he other two points of the compass are to be avoided.

Bathing. Bathing on the different days of the week is said to have the following effects on the bather:- Bathing on Sunday - spoils the bather's appearance; on Monday - improves it; Tuesday - brings on disease; Wednesday - brings riches; Thursday - creates quarrels; Friday - his children die; Saturday - brings happiness and deemed the most suitable day for bathing.



Tamil Invasions B.C.

We find Sura Tissa being ousted from his throne by two Tamil horse dealers who ruled for 22 years. This is the first reference to any Tamil incursion or Tamil rule in Sri Lanka.

Second Tamil Invasion

Now we find seven Tamil chiefs landing at Mahatitta (near modern Mannar) with a powerful force and defeating Valagambahu who was forced to flee. Five of these Tamils ruled in Anuradhapura for almost 14 years during which period Valagambahu wandered from place to place in order to escape being captured. Finally collecting forces he fought the Tamils and became King once more after defeating them.


The Eastern Province

The Island newspaper has convincingly presented the Eastern Province as traditionally part of the Sinhala kingdom in which all communities have lived amicably since British times when Tamil migrations into the territory began substantially.

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