Nāgānanda International Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences – Vol. II, Issue 01

Professor. S. Krishnarajah
Ph.D. (Jaffna)
Department of History & Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna.
Research Article : Prehistoric Life in the Jaffna Peninsula-A Preliminary Investigations
for the study of Stone Age culture base on Archaeological Evidences

Professor Sumanapala Galmangoda
Ph.D. (KLN), Ayurvedic Doctor, Royal Pandit, Emeritus Professor, Dean,
Faculty of Graduate Studies, Nāgānanda International Institute for Buddhist Studies, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Research Article : Psychological Analysis of Language in Theravada Tradition
 
Dr. H. H. Ashoka Karunarathna
Ph.D. (SJP)
Lecturer, Department of Applied Archaeology, Humanities and Social Sciencess,
Nagananda International Institute for Buddhist Studies, Kelaniya.
Prof. G.M. Bandaranayeka
Professor, Department of Geography, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
Research Article : A review on Diyakaliya in Yodha Ela. A unique structure of the canal
irrigation system of ancient Sri Lanka
 
Dr. Nayomi Kekulawala
Ph.D., (PGIAR)^,
Senior Lecturer, Department of History, University of Kelaniya^.
Research Article : In the sea of influence, a world system perspective of the Sri Lankan
sea ports (Period from the eleventh to the fifteenth century AD)
 
D. T. H. Ananda
Ph.D. (SJP).
Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda.
Research Article : Indigenous Knowledge system Among Meemure Inhabitants: Kandy
District, Sri Lanka
 
B. Madhupali Sugandhika Cooray
B.A. (Kelaniya), MPhil. (Kelaniya)
Visiting Lecturer, Department of Modern Language, Faculty of Humanities,
University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Research Article : Introducing mythical creatures in Grimm’s fairy tales to Sri Lanka
German language learners (A case Study).
 
D.M. Chandani Dissanayake
B.A (KLN), Department of Sociology, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
W. M. Chathuri Rangika Sri Bandara
B.A (KLN), Lecturer, National Institute of Social Development.
Research Article : Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Period Poverty in Sri Lanka:
Evidence from Selected Rural area in Kurunegala District.
 
P.R. Asanka Buddikasiri
B.A (KLN), MSc. (Sichun)
Development officer, Department of Archaeology¹, Sri Lanka.
A.K.Rangika Madhumali
B.A (KLN), MSc. (Sichun)
Assistant Lecturer, University of Kelaniya
Research Article : Glass Beads in Ancient Ruhuna

Professor. S. Krishnarajah
Ph.D. (Jaffna)
Department of History & Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna.

Abstract:
The investigation undertaken here on prehistoric life in the Jaffna Peninsula is a preliminary study of the stone age culture based on archaeological evidences. Having considered the remarkable collection of stone implements from the Jaffna Peninsula, it is expected to stratify the cultural successions before the historical records came to use in the Peninsula. Most of the excavation missions so far have been deployed in this region which focused light on the Megalithic cultural layers and material culture of the period. But for the first time an excavation mission was targeted by the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka with finding of prehistoric layer deposits and prehistoric remains at Kantarodai and Mayakkai in 2011 and 2020 respectively in the Peninsula. The concept of prehistoric settlements in the Jaffna Peninsula had been developed from the research findings of this author who has been working since more than 30 years in collecting of material like stone tools in many variety which had been used by the mankind lived in this Peninsula before the written records come to the usage. This investigation has been categorized into the three main divisions based on the material we received in relation to the prehistoric life adopted in this land. Having conducted explorations, surface collections and unexpected discoveries of artifacts from the archaeological sites like Mayakkai Cave site in Point Pedro District and the Lower Valley of Thondamanaru salt water basin site have yielded much stone implements from time to time. The most important discovery was held that the 31st Layer of the 2nd Trench Pit at Kantarodai (excavation held in 2011) which exposes the prehistoric sediments. Thus, the morphology of the stone tools found so far from the Peninsula stimulate us to develop a room for research space for prehistoric life existed in this peninsular region. Though the time span of the prehistoric culture is much wider, our material collections are very narrow for this particular period of research as the title indicates the aim and scope of the investigation is a preliminary studies. Our proposed hypotheses have enhanced to highlight the prehistoric cultural strata with the life style of the people who lived before the historic ages. Therefore, this is not an entity of un-witnessed mission or concepts but the collection of accumulated man made implements from the surface basins of Thondamanaru and Valukiyaru have testified our hypotheses that ‘The prehistoric settlement was formed from the sand dune area which was located in Vadamaradchi- East, as the northern edge of the expansion of Iranaimadu Culture ends. B.) Deviation of Neolithic Life and Microlithic culture intermingled in the Lower part of Thondamanaru Salt basin and C.) Prehistoric Cultural epicenter was formed at Mayakkai in Vadamaradchi as socio- economic influences received from Iranaimadu Basin at the time. However, to make very clear cut phenomena of the prehistoric cultural phases from Palaeolithic, Microlithic and Neolithic cultural strata in the Jaffna Peninsula we need to have stratigraphic evidences which will be available when excavations taking place. However, in this introductory research a preliminary examination has been done in order to verifying the collected stone tools of the cultures.

Keywords: Prehistory, Cultural Epicentre, Iranaimadu Culture, Stratigraphy. Trench. Morphology, Cultural Successions.

Emeritus Professor, Sumanapala Galmangoda,
Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies,
Nāgānanda International Institute for Buddhist Studies, Sri Lanka.

Abstract:
Buddhism has mainly been propagated throughout the world over two thousand five hundred years by verbal communication. So, it includes a wealth of information regarding the nature of language and its usage which can be considered as a contribution to the existing knowledge of communication in the modern world. Our attention has mainly been focused on the psychological analysis of language with reference to the development of the abhidhammic concept of paññatti, the Theravada conception of expression. The main sources consulted for this study belong to the Pali traditional grammar and some important points mentioned in the early Buddhist sources have been explained in order to elucidate the background of the evolution of the concept of paññatti. Psychological basis of expression, hearing and comprehension has been clarified with reference to the abhidhammic analysis of paññatti in Theravada tradition.

Keywords: Psychology, Theravada tradition, language, abhidhammic

Dr. H. H. Ashoka Karunarathna
Ph.D. (SJP)
Lecturer, Department of Applied Archaeology, Humanities and Social Sciencess, Nagananda International Institute for Buddhist Studies, Kelaniya.

Prof. G.M. Bandaranayeka
Professor, Department of Geography, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

Abstract:
Long extending canals, distributing water for vast areas are one of the ancient irrigation structures of Sri Lanka. Normally, in terms of functionality, these canals are of four types. One; supply of water for paddy fields located at the destination point of the canal. Second; supply of water for small tanks located alone the canal which ultimately feed paddy fields. Third; canals that distribute water for the entire downstream area enabling people to use free water or water diverted by temporally earth dams or Amuna (anicuit). Other types of canals were made to provide water to tanks located alone its way as well as to its destination reservoir. Yoda ela, the longest and marvellous canal built by our ancient irrigation engineers belongs to the latter category. It starts from a large reservoir called Kalawewa being passed about 54 km to its destination reservoir Tisawewa located in Anuradapura ancient city. Yoda ela is mostly famous for its engineering aspect of carrying a large volume of water maintaining the same flowing capacity for a distance of 17 mile even though higher amount being provided for surroundings agricultural lands. On the other hand, Yoda ela has been constructed mostly in higher elevated sites in the downstream opposite to contours. The research explored that actually Yoda ela is not only a canal of water carrying, but also a water source freely flown on the ground can be denoted as a flown tank. At some places even today this is evident. In addition, archaeological investigation confirmed hundreds of small village tanks had been directly fed by the canal. Research exploded in addition to tanks, many other unusual structures had been there. One of them is Diyakaliya that differs from tanks. The main concern was given to study these ancient structures focusing attention on their engineering, hydrological and water management aspects and the functionality. Present paper as an outcome of that research, first discusses structural layout of the Diyakaliya from engineering point of view and then highlights its functionality from a hydrological engineering and environmental perspectives. Research was basically undertaken with field investigation together with topographical map interpretation. By the present as Yoda ela canal has been damaged and subject to modify under the Mahaweli Development project undertaken in 1970s. Thus ruins and limited remnants of the canal were the focal point of concern of this research. A number of Archaeological excavations were done at that sites. Opinions of old persons in the area were also used to understand the ancient layout of the Diyakaliya and its functionality. Research explored that ancient Diyakaliya is a means of intensifying water flowing capacity of the canal. Furthermore it worked as an instrument of water purifying, sediment and flood controlling of the canal itself and the surrounding. It is also evident that these structures have played a considerable role in the canal based water management systems. Therefore Diyakaliya is an unique feature that our attention should be further focused.

Keywords: Hydrology, Water Management, Irrigation, DiyaKaliya

Dr. Nayomi Kekulawala
Ph.D., (PGIAR)
Senior Lecturer, Department of History, University of Kelaniya.

Abstract:
This research focuses on how trade and economic activity in the Indian Ocean has affected Sri Lanka. In that case, it is not possible to conduct research on Sri Lanka as a single country, as it is related to the functioning of the entire Indian Ocean in the international arena of the trade economy. Also, the world system analyzes that have been published so far on the trade economy of the Indian Ocean have been presented by external researchers and Sri Lanka is automatically included in the systematic analysis of all these researchers. However, as mentioned above, based on the research conducted on Sri Lanka in relation to the impact of trade activities in the entire Indian Ocean on Sri Lanka (Kekulawala, 2017). We hope to explain this research paper in relation to Sri Lankan marine ports from 11th to 15th century A.D. Historical and archaeological evidence reveals that Sri Lankan ports became more active during this period and established trade relations with China, Southeast Asia, India and the Arabian Sea. However, the study of pre-research world systems show that the developed areas of the Indian Ocean have changed over time. The importance of Sri Lankan ports in each period was assessed based on the demand and supply of raw materials, climate change in the Indian Ocean, and hegemonic changes. From the 11th to 15th century, changes in the functioning of Sri Lankan seaports took place due to changes in the overall global economic flow (Kekulawala, 2017). Accordingly, this research paper focuses on identifying the major world systems operating in the Indian Ocean during the relevant period.

Keywords: Hegemony, world system, seaports, Bay of Bengal, Arabic Sea.

D. T. H. Ananda
Lecturer, Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

Abstract:
Indigenous knowledge (IK) is a set of knowledge belong to a specific group or a community which cannot be seen either in the mainstream or in a dominant society. The knowledge systems developed by the ancestors of these groups have transmitted this knowledge system to their succeeding generations. This knowledge system has shaped their traditional way of life and culture throughout the history. Meemure inhabitants are one of the minority groups in Sri Lanka that have remarkable indigenous knowledge system (IKS). The main objective of this study was to explore their valuable IKS as a whole. Thus, questioner survey, interviews and observation methods were used as data collecting methods. Though the village cultural heritage is rich in precious indigenous pertaining tangible and intangible cultural heritage those are at risk of disappearing at present with the effects of new technologies and innovations. Capturing these IK as much as we can and making documents, films and ethnographies are the best methods to safeguard this invaluable indigenous heritage.

Keywords: Meemure Village, Traditional Medicine, Traditional Foods, Indigenous Knowledge, Sri Lanka

B. Madhupali Sugandhika Cooray
Visiting Lecturer, Department of Modern Language, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

Abstract:
This paper examines the pitfalls of introducing mythical creatures in Grimm’s fairy tales to Sri Lankan German language learners. The research is conducted as a case study where both the teacher’s and learners’ experience during the classroom sessions are analyzed to identify which teaching materials can be used to introduce Grimm’s mythical creatures to Sri Lankan German language learners. The research sample consisted of learners who follow the German first-year special degree program at the department of modern languages, University of Kelaniya. Three classroom sessions were observed using different teaching materials to analyze how the learning process should be gradually developed. The learners’ experience of learning Grimm’s mythical characters was examined through the distribution of a questionnaire. According to the findings of the research, it was evident that the Sri Lankan learners’ perception of mythical creatures is influenced by the Sri Lankan folktales, which contain a wide variety of mythical characters from Indian mythology. Therefore, it was encountered by the researcher that the learners’ previous knowledge about mythical beings is an obstacle for the learning process. Yet the data collected from the classroom observations and questionnaires has indicated that it is possible through carefully selected visual materials such as images, documentaries, and written manuscripts of legends and myths to introduce the Grimm’s mythical fairy tale characters to Sri Lankan German language learners more effectively.

Keywords: German language learners, Grimm’s fairy tales, introduce, mythical creatures, Sri Lankan