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Kala Korner - by Dee Cee

A convenient guide to Sri Lanka's history
A reprint of an authoritative historical work titled 'Sinhala Kathawa' tracing the history of Sri Lanka has hit the bookstands. First published by the Education Department in 1908, it has been written by Simon de Silva Vasala Mudali (1840-1922). Though the book is in Sinhala, the original cover has a title in English. 'The History of Ceylon from the earliest period to A.C 1907’ by Simon de Silva, Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate: Chief Translator to Government.

Publisher Gevindu Cumaratunga introduces this book as a fitting tribute to the enormous service rendered by the writer who started writing in Sinhala at a time when the traditional system of education was being neglected and a new system under the Education Department set up by the British administration was coming into being. It was a transitional period.

'Sinhala Kathawa' is an extremely useful reference book on the history of Sri Lanka done in a little over 225 pages. It covers the entire period of the Sinhala rulers from the time of Vijaya (543-505 BC) ruling from Tammanna to Sri Vickrema Rajasinghe (1798-1815 CE) and proceeds to detail the period under the British Governors representing the British sovereign.

A feature of the book is that there is at least one paragraph devoted to each ruler. The writer has not even ignored Soththisena (432 CE) who was king for just one day. The five-line paragraph on his reign states that after king Mahasena's death, Soththisena (also known as Sengoth) who was his son from a Tamil woman, ascended the throne. Princess Sangha, Mahasena's daughter got him killed the same day and saw to it that her husband, Prince Chattagahaka was enthroned as king.

A comprehensive list of the rulers appearing at the start of the book is a convenient ready reckoner, by which the reader can check on the name, period and the capital.
According to the list, three kings after Vijaya ruled from Upatissa until Pandukabhaya chose Anuradhapura as the capital in 437 BC. Sixty eight kings ruled from Anuradhapura at a stretch until 479 CE when Kasyapa I moved over to Sigiriya for 28 years after which his successor Mugalan I moved back to Anuradhapura.

Thereafter 33 kings continued from Anuradhapura with just two breaks - Agbo VII moving to Polonnaruwa and ruling for six years and Dappula III from Beraminipaya for 16 years. Polonnaruwa became the capital in 846 CE with Sena I (Shilamegha) and at least 30 kings ruled from there. Dambadeniya (2 kings), Yapahuwa (1), Kurunegala (4), Gampola (5), Kotte (9) Sitawaka (2) adn Senkadagala (10) were the other capitals.

In three parts
The book is in three parts. The first part deals with the period from Vijaya until the death of Parakramabahu VII. The second covers the period from Viraparakramabahu VIII (the time that the Portuguese arrived) until the takeover by the British. The third is from Governor Brownrigg's administration.

Though the original work ends with Sir Henry Arthur Blake, the publisher continues the narration right up to the gaining of independence in 1948 thus ending an era of rule by monarchs. The latter section has been done by Srinath Ganewatta, who continues in Simon de Silva's style.

While narrating the events, which occurred during each ruler's time, the writer has dealt with significant events and happenings at length.

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