List of Illustrations  xiii

Acknowledgments  xv

Introduction  1

I. From Ancient to Early Modern  9

II. The Colonial Encounter  133

Sri Lanka: National Identity and the Impact of Colonialism / K. M. da Silva  135

The Portuguese: An Introduction / Jorge Flores  152

The Dutch: An Introduction  189

The British: An Introduction  230

Kandyan Culture in the Colonial Era: An Introduction  295

Colonial Postscript: The Other Eden / Richard de Zoysa  328

III. Emerging Identities  331

Buddhist Identities: An Introduction  334

Muslim Identities: An Introduction  409

Tamil Identities: An Introduction  458

Christians and Burghers: An Introduction  559

Emergent Perspectives in Modern Art: the '43 Group—Formation of a Sri Lankan Avant-Garde / Larry D. Lutchmansingh  574

IV. Independence, Insurrections, and Social Change  589

V. Political Epilogue  713

Acknowledgment of Copyrights and Sources  735

Suggestions for Further Reading  745

Index  753

“. . . the ideal source book for analytical study of Sri Lanka’s history enlightening the reader as to what caused the present ills.” —Rajitha Weerakoon, Sunday Times (Colombo)

“ [A] superb anthology edited by that most perceptive and shrewd observer of Sri Lanka and its complex social, economic and political history, John Clifford Holt. . . . John Holt’s Reader is a stellar collection of wide-ranging essays both scholarly and popular, folklore, poetry and reportage that run into a mammoth 700 plus pages. Nor is this all. The Reader contains 54 images of paintings, sculptures and architecture together with its editor’s suggestions for further reading and, a comprehensive index.”—Tissa Jayatilaka, Sunday Times (Colombo)

“The Sri Lanka Reader will make a valued gift to those Sri Lankans and others whose interest in the Island is intelligent and thoughtful; going deeper than beautiful tropical pictures (see the book’s cover); description of delicious dishes, and friendly inhabitants. It will be the standard ‘Reader’ on Sri Lanka for many years to come; a work not to be read once and put aside but to be kept, referred to, reflected upon, and used as a starting point for further reading according to one’s (different) interest.”—Charles Ponnuthurai Sarvan, Sunday Leader (Columbo)

“The Sri Lanka Reader is an ambitious volume compiled with dexterity. Holt communicates with captivating force the island’s geopolitical, strategic and historical significance, offering the reader a nuanced introduction to the intrigue and diverse scholarship of this tiny island.” —Nayana Bibile, Asian Studies Review

The Sri Lanka Reader helps one in coming to terms with the country’s present, given that its past has, in a very large way, continually cast a shadow on the social and political trails it has followed. Reading the work makes for a
clearer comprehension of Sri Lanka, warts and all.—Syed Badrul Ahsan, Asian Affairs

The Sri Lanka Reader helps one in coming to terms with the country’s present, given that its past has, in a very large way, continually cast a shadow on the social and political trails it has followed. Reading the work makes for a clearer comprehension of Sri Lanka, warts and all.—Syed Badrul Ahsan, Asian Affairs

“. . . the ideal source book for analytical study of Sri Lanka’s history enlightening the reader as to what caused the present ills.” —Rajitha Weerakoon, Sunday Times (Colombo)

“ [A] superb anthology edited by that most perceptive and shrewd observer of Sri Lanka and its complex social, economic and political history, John Clifford Holt. . . . John Holt’s Reader is a stellar collection of wide-ranging essays both scholarly and popular, folklore, poetry and reportage that run into a mammoth 700 plus pages. Nor is this all. The Reader contains 54 images of paintings, sculptures and architecture together with its editor’s suggestions for further reading and, a comprehensive index.”—Tissa Jayatilaka, Sunday Times (Colombo)

“The Sri Lanka Reader will make a valued gift to those Sri Lankans and others whose interest in the Island is intelligent and thoughtful; going deeper than beautiful tropical pictures (see the book’s cover); description of delicious dishes, and friendly inhabitants. It will be the standard ‘Reader’ on Sri Lanka for many years to come; a work not to be read once and put aside but to be kept, referred to, reflected upon, and used as a starting point for further reading according to one’s (different) interest.”—Charles Ponnuthurai Sarvan, Sunday Leader (Columbo)

“The Sri Lanka Reader is an ambitious volume compiled with dexterity. Holt communicates with captivating force the island’s geopolitical, strategic and historical significance, offering the reader a nuanced introduction to the intrigue and diverse scholarship of this tiny island.” —Nayana Bibile, Asian Studies Review

The Sri Lanka Reader helps one in coming to terms with the country’s present, given that its past has, in a very large way, continually cast a shadow on the social and political trails it has followed. Reading the work makes for a
clearer comprehension of Sri Lanka, warts and all.—Syed Badrul Ahsan, Asian Affairs

The Sri Lanka Reader helps one in coming to terms with the country’s present, given that its past has, in a very large way, continually cast a shadow on the social and political trails it has followed. Reading the work makes for a clearer comprehension of Sri Lanka, warts and all.—Syed Badrul Ahsan, Asian Affairs

“The Sri Lanka Reader is unprecedented. Never before has there been a book so synoptic in its treatment of Sri Lankan history, politics, and culture. The overall organization, the selections chosen for inclusion, and the introductions to the individual pieces are all of the highest order. This book will be welcomed by specialists in Sri Lankan studies, as well as the more general, educated reader.”—Roger R. Jackson, John W. Nason Professor of Asian Studies and Religion, Carleton College

“John Holt’s The Sri Lanka Reader gives many insights into contemporary Sri Lanka while providing an in-depth picture of its rich history. Holt effectively weaves together documents, analytical accounts, photographs, and poetic works to produce a balanced work that is consistent in quality and readability despite accommodating many viewpoints. It is a book that you will return to time and again. It will undoubtedly become the standard collection of documents on Sri Lanka and its history.”—Chandra R. de Silva, author of Sri Lanka: A History

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