|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Friday, 28 March 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Features | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Wealth of new information Splendour of Kelaniya Author - Susantha Jayamanne Apart from the traditional literature the author has included other valuable information and hidden facts to give the reader mental penetration to events and places around the Kelaniya Temple. Venerable Dr. Mahinda Sangharakkita, Chief Incumbent of the Kelani Raja Maha Vihara introducing the book to a distinguished audience said Jayamanne's " is one of the few books yet published with a wealth of new information and should find a place in schools and public libraries at a time when the teaching of history is neglected. The author has however missed to mention Herbert Reid's work at the Kelaniya Temple which is today accepted as a part of the inheritance of the past and that a few are aware that this important national monument was designed in 1930 by a Christian Scotsman from Aberdeen, England. The controversy among the Vidyalankara Pirivena monks and the Kelani Vihara to claim the Buddha relics from England and the text of the Kelaniya Declaration of Independence (January 6, 1947) are vividly described. The Bandaranaike Assassination Trial and the conviction of Mapitigama Buddharakkita Therawith a picture of the late Thera addressing an election meeting add colour to Jayamanne's work. A page from the diary of President J.R. Jayewardene detailing his funeral rites form a separate chapter. The planting of the Bo sapling by a group of pilgrims from Anuradhapura at Waragoda; the historic debate Ven. Migettuwatte Gunananda with Christian missionaries; the story of Solius Mendis and the destruction of the Kelaniya temple by the Portuguese in 1575 are some incidents in the book that would invoke serene joy and emotion among readers. - Splendour of Kelaniya is a Sinhala publication: Sold at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Bookshop **************************** Handiwork of an expert 'Encyclopedia of Sri Lanka' Author: C.A. Goonewardena The publication entitled 'Encyclopedia of Sri Lanka' by C.A. Goonewardena had a prestigious ceremonial launching a few days ago. It was printed in India and published by Sterling Publishers (Pvt.) Ltd., of New Delhi. The author Charlie Goonewardena is well known for his career in the field of information and publicity. Starting as a journalist in life he was appointed to the Sri Lanka Overseas Information Service in the 50s and from there he had a long career serving as Information Officer in Sri Lanka missions. These were in New Delhi in the 60s and later in Sri Lanka's High Commission in London in the 70s. I had the pleasure of being associated with Goonewardena in his both these missions. I must say that he was no doubt exceptional in his calibre and ability. Goonewardena can be described as one of the truly professional information officers this country has produced and he had the opportunity to exercise these talents in the prestigious position of Director of the Information Division of the Commonwealth secretariat in London which he held for many years. He was closely associated in this capacity with Sridhar Ramphal, the dynamic Secretary general of the Secretariat and it is known that he had a very high opinion of Goonewardena and relied on him a great deal. I think that this association lasted for a long time after both left the Commonwealth Secretariat. Goonewardena therefore can be described as a genuine expert in the field of information and documentation and this is a role in which he excelled during his career. He was not only responsible for publicity and dissemination of information but he specialized in organizing documentation and the sources of information. An information officer is usually regarded as a mere source of information who is responsible for dissemination and publicity. However, it goes much further and involves actual organizing of information, documentation, publishing and the whole process altogether of creating information on a subject. To that extent the work of an information officer can be regarded as a combination of research, writing, publicity, distribution and dissemination. From my personal knowledge of Goonewardena I can say that he measured up to the highest standards of this calling. He was in a sense a pioneer and one of the first information officers appointed in Sri Lanka but he acquired international stature in the Commonwealth Secretariat and earned a great reputation in that field. His publication 'Encyclopedia of Sri Lanka' to the best of my knowledge is the only literary work which he has undertaken so far. It is not due to any inability but his preoccupation during his career of discharging his onerous functions. In recent years he had been in a state of retirement and this has provided an opportunity for him to exercise his talents to the full. Without doubt the 'Encyclopedia of Sri Lanka' is the first venture and no doubt it will be followed by many others. At the ceremonial launching which was held a few days ago in Colombo the panel speakers all commented on the high quality of the work and the exceptional ability of the author. I can without hesitation endorse these sentimental from my own personal knowledge of the book as well as the author. 'The Encyclopedia of Sri Lanka', as the title implies, is an attempt to marshal the basic facts about Sri Lanka in an enclyopedic form. The term 'encyclopedia' here refers more to the comprehensive range of the book rather than a research or philosophical character. It is customary to associate an encyclopedia with some massive tomes involving the research of many scholars and being voluminous. In this sense this encyclopedia is different in that it endeavours to bring before the reader a carefully selected information on the highlights of Sri lanka. These highlights include subjects such as history, geography, personalities, institutions, major events, monuments, culture, peoples, biodiversity and what can be generally regarded as the leading features of a country. Each subject is dealt with concisely but in carefully chosen prose which conveys the essence. The subjects which he has chosen prose which conveys the essence. The subjects which he has chosen and the relative accounts which are given show the skill and handiwork of an expert on information. This encyclopedia does not pretend to be exhaustive on the subject of Sri lanka but it focuses on subjects and themes which are integral to a knowledge of the country. The merit of this work it can be said is its comprehensive range of subjects and the style in which it is communicated. This book should really be regarded as the ideal handbook of Sri lanka in that its scope is encyclopedic as well as authoritative. There is no doubt that the author has utilized his expertise in the field of information to the utmost in the selection of items and the text. He has taken immense pains to obtain authoritative information on these subjects to including research and in the case of personalities contacting them personally. It is thus an expert guide to the country which would be ideal especially to foreigners and tourists to the world at large. It should be said that this book fills a gap in that although there is much and even inexhaustible writing on the subject of Sri lanka none of them have been encyclopedic in range. One can only think of Emerson Tennent's famous 19th century work on Sri Lanka which had an encyclopedic character though it was by no means a detailed description of the island. One could conclude therefore that this encyclopedia is a unique work. It offers the reader a truly encyclopedic view and insight into Sri lanka but in a manner which is easily readable and authoritative and very handy in size being only 300 pages. It is therefore recommended reading not only to Sri Lankans but to the world at large and I hope Sri Lanka's Diplomatic Missions will make the fullest use of it. It will also be wonderful reading for Sri Lanka's countless expatriates who through the medium of this book can really become the country's overseas ambassadors. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
