Tharaka Dasun

Architecture of ancient sri lanka  Ancient Sri Lankan architecture reflects the island’s rich history, deep religious devotion, and skillful use of local materials. Over more than two thousand years, Sri Lankan builders created temples, palaces, monasteries, tanks (reservoirs), and other structures that still impress visitors today. This essay will explore the main features, materials, and examples of ancient Sri Lankan architecture in clear, simple English. 1. Historical Background Sri Lanka’s ancient architecture developed under several major kingdoms. The Anuradhapura Kingdom (377 BCE–1017 CE) was the earliest great phase. Builders then continued their work in the Polonnaruwa Kingdom (1055–1232 CE) and later in the Kingdom of Kandy (1469–1815 CE). Each era added its own styles and techniques, but all shared a dedication to Buddhism and respect for nature. 2. Use of Local Materials One common feature across these periods is the use of local materials. Builders used stone, brick, ...

The Ravana Vimana: The Flying Machine of a Legend The Ravana Vimana is a famous flying machine mentioned in old stories from South Asia, especially in Sri Lanka and India. It is said to have been used by King Ravana, a powerful king who ruled over the ancient kingdom of Lanka. These stories come mainly from the Indian epic called the Ramayana, which is more than 2,000 years old. Many people believe that Ravana had a flying vehicle that could travel in the sky, similar to an airplane. This idea has interested many people for many years. Who Was King Ravana? King Ravana is an important figure in Hindu mythology. He was the king of Lanka and is known for his great strength, knowledge, and skills in science and magic. Ravana is often described as a man with ten heads and twenty arms, which shows how powerful he was. He was also a great scholar who had deep knowledge of medicine, music, and machines. Although Ravana is usually seen as the villain in the Ramayana because he kidnapped Sita, t...

Film Analysis of “Gadi” by Prasanna Vithanage “Gadi” , directed by Prasanna Vithanage, is a powerful Sri Lankan film that talks about human rights, caste discrimination, and the power of hope. The film is set during the 1814 British colonial period in Sri Lanka, when the Kandyan Kingdom was facing social and political troubles. Vithanage uses this historical setting to talk about deeper social issues that are still relevant today. The story follows a young girl named Tikiri, who is forced into marriage with an older man because she is born into the Radala caste, a lower group in the caste system. Her husband doesn’t want her, and she becomes a burden. Eventually, she is left to be taken away in a "gadi" – a cart used to send women like her to remote villages where they are basically abandoned. The word "gadi" itself becomes a symbol of rejection, shame, and dehumanization. Prasanna Vithanage’s direction in this film is very sensitive and thoughtful. He shows the pai...

Film Analysis: English Vinglish English Vinglish is a 2012 Indian film directed by Gauri Shinde. The main character is Shashi, played by the famous actress Sridevi. This movie tells the story of a middle-class Indian woman who learns English to gain respect and confidence. It is a simple but powerful story that connects with many people, especially women. Shashi is a housewife who lives in India with her husband, children, and mother-in-law. She is very good at cooking and runs a small business making and selling sweets. However, her family, especially her husband and daughter, often make fun of her because she cannot speak English. This makes her feel sad and unimportant, even though she works hard every day. One day, Shashi has to travel alone to New York for her niece’s wedding. This is a big challenge for her because she does not know English well. In New York, she feels lost and embarrassed when people do not understand her. She feels like an outsider. However, she decides to join...

Akalasandya – Teledrama Analysis "Akalasandya" is a popular Sri Lankan teledrama that tells a deep and emotional story about love, family, sacrifice, and social issues. The word "Akalasandya" means "Twilight" in Sinhala. Just like twilight is the time between day and night, this drama explores the moments between happiness and sadness in people's lives. The story is mainly about the struggles of a woman who tries to balance her duties to her family and her own personal dreams. The teledrama focuses on relationships between parents and children, husband and wife, and between neighbors in a village setting. It shows how people change when they face difficulties and how love and understanding can heal broken hearts. One of the most powerful things about "Akalasandya" is its realistic characters. The people in the drama are not perfect heroes or villains. They are normal people with both good and bad qualities. This makes the story more believabl...

  Sri lanka communication history  Sri Lanka has a long history of communication. In ancient times, people used simple ways to send messages. They used smoke signals, drums, and messengers to share news across villages and kingdoms. The kings used stone inscriptions, called "Sel Lipi," to write important messages. These were carved on rocks and walls. During the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa periods, Buddhist monks helped spread messages using Ola leaf books (called "Puskola Potha"). These were made from dried palm leaves. They wrote stories, religious texts, and royal orders on them. In the colonial period, the Portuguese, Dutch, and British brought new communication methods. The printing press was introduced by the Dutch in the 1700s. The British later improved the postal system. Letters could be sent between towns. They also started newspapers in English and local languages. The first Sri Lankan newspaper, Colombo Journal, came in 1832. Later, papers in Sinhala an...