Paper: Evidence for the Existence of ‘Ceylon Intelligence’, a periodical in Sri Lanka that predates the Ceylon Government Gazette

[My Research Papers published]

Wisumperuma, Dhanesh, 2020, Evidence for the Existence of ‘Ceylon Intelligence’, a periodical in Sri Lanka that predates the Ceylon Government Gazette, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, Vol 65: Issue II, pp. 61-72.

Abstract

The modern printing in Sri Lanka commenced in the 18th century during the Dutch occupation of Maritime Provinces. The ‘Ceylon Government Gazette’ (first issued in 1802), published by the British authorities who ruled the maritime provinces of Sri Lanka, is considered as the first English periodical and Newspaper published in the Island. The Colombo Journal (1832) and Observer and Commercial Advertiser (1834) are the next two English newspapers published in the Island.

This article presents archival documents that provide evidence for the existence of an English language newspaper or a periodical before the publication of the Ceylon Government Gazette. These documents include communications between state officials and the editor of the newspaper at a time when political and military issues were important due to the war between the British and French.

This evidence suggests that a periodical publication titled ‘Ceylon Intelligence’ was published in Sri Lanka at least by November 1800. It was edited by Frederick Baron Mylius (1762-1807), who held several positions under the British Administration. Although a printed copy of this publication is unavailable, prevailing evidence suggests that the ‘Ceylon Intelligence’ was the first English periodical printed in Sri Lanka. Further to that, the letters cited show the possible first instance where press censorship was practised in Sri Lanka.

Keywords: Periodicals, Newspapers, Press history, British administration, Ceylon Intelligence

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Papaer: The abandoned attempt to establish a botanic garden in Colombo, 1799

[My Research Papers published]

Citation: Wisumperuma, Dhanesh, 2017. The abandoned attempt to establish a botanic garden in Colombo, 1799, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, Vol. 62 Part 2, pp.51-64.

Abstract

Sri Lanka chronicles and other historical sources indicate the existence of a few types of gardens in Sri Lanka. However, the concept of modern botanic gardens was introduced by the British during their occupation of the country.

Based on published sources, it has been proposed that a botanic garden was established in 1799 by the British in Colombo under the orders of Frederic North (1798-1805 CE), the first British Governor of the Maritime Provinces of the country. This is based on the fact that Joseph Jonville was appointed as the Superintendent of Botanic Gardens, and was ordered to establish a botanic garden in a land called Ortafoula in Peliyagoda, near Colombo. This reference has been cited by many subsequent authors as a source for the establishment of a botanic garden at this location.

With contemporary evidence, this study concludes that the botanic garden ordered by Governor North to be established was never established. The land was in Peliyagoda, on the right bank of the Kelani River, and after an examination of the proposed site, and discussions with the locals, Jonville proposed to abandon the project due to the threat of frequent inundation of the land during the rainy season.

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Paper: The Date of the Martello Tower in Hambantota

[My Research Papers published]

Citation: Dhanesh Wisumperuma, The Date of the Martello Tower in Hambantota, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, Vol 60, Part 1, 2015, pp. 62-76.

Abstract

The Martello Tower in Hambantota in southern Sri  Lanka is the sole example of this fortification type in the country. It is a two storied, round gun-tower on a small hill, designed to be used as a defence structure. Although many agree that this is a British construction, the precise date of this tower was not known mainly due to the lack of records and the fact that several dates between 1796 and 1803 were proposed by various authors. The first mention of its existence was a record from 1806. This  paper attempts to present documentary evidence for the date of the construction of the tower. According to records, the construction of the Martello Tower in  Hambantota commenced after September 1804 and it was still under construction by May 1805. The construction of the tower was an idea of Major General  D.D. Wemyss, Commander of the Forces in Ceylon, who ordered Lt. William Gosset of the Royal Engineers to construct a round tower to accommodate fifty people. It is evident that this tower was not used by the British for defence from the attacks of the Kandyans in Hambantota in 1803, and in fact, the need for such a defensive structure was prompted by those attacks. It appears that this tower has not been tested for enemy attacks.

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Paper: Religious Use of Elephants in Ancient Sri Lanka (Research Paper)

[My Research Papers published]

Citation: Wisumperuma, D. 2012, Religious Use of Elephants in Ancient Sri Lanka, Gajah, 37, pp. 16-21.

Abstract

The religious use of elephants in Sri Lanka has its origins in the early period of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The oldest record of the use of elephants in Buddhist religious processions and festivals in Sri Lanka dates back to 3rd century BCE, when Buddhism was introduced to the Island. The oldest record of the use of elephants to draw a chariot with the Tooth Relic in a procession is from early 14th century CE, centuries prior to the commencement of the Kandy Esala Perahera in the 18th century. Elephants used for religious purposes during the early periods were mostly state elephants belonging to the king and in some cases the royal or Mangala elephant. However a number of elephants were used in religious festivals later and that perhaps required more elephants from other sources. The first recorded donation of an elephant to a temple took place in the early 1st century CE. This could be a continuation of a former tradition. Offering of elephants to temples are frequently mentioned in historical sources since 14th century CE.

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Paper: First known record of guinea grass cultivation in Sri Lanka, 1801-1802

Research article

Citation: Wisumperuma, Dhanesh, 2007, First known record of Guinea grass cultivation in Sri Lanka, 1801-1802, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, Vol. 53, pp.219-226. 

Summary: 

Revealed the first known record of the occurrence of guinea grass (Panicum maximum) in Sri Lanka, i.e. 1801-02, which predated earliest known date (1824) by more than two decades.

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