Interactions between Sri Lanka and South India in the Early and Middle Historic through the perspective of personal adornment

The present research investigates the interaction between Sri Lanka and its closest neighbouring region, South India, during the Early and Middle Historic periods. This connection has often been studied based on the textual evidence available on either side with little regard for the material evidence. Therefore, previous studies have fallen short of providing an objective understanding of the interactions. Furthermore, the focus of previous studies has been large-scale, state-mandated interaction. In contrast, this study has adopted a novel approach through the perspective of personal adornment and has been able to trace far closer contact between the two regions than official interaction suggests. To understand interpersonal interactions between the two regions, objects of personal adornment from seven different sites in Sri Lanka and South India were analysed. The patterns that emerge from assemblages of objects of adornment, including beads and other non-bead adornments were observed. The rationale behind this analysis was that body beautification expresses the individual and social identities of people across time and space. Consequently, it was anticipated that, by observing artefacts that are expressions of the identities and preferences of the general populace, this would shed light on interpersonal contact between the two regions. The patterns visible from the analysis of assemblages illustrate strong similarities between the two regions, during the Early and Middle Historic Periods. This is likely to have been the result of exchanging goods, ideas and technological knowledge. This study has also revealed that amidst shared cultural traits, each region developed preferences distinct from each other. The ethnographic study carried out provides further evidence of interactions between the two regions, which is missing in the texts and the archaeological record. These interactions probably reflect those which existed in the past. The integrated evidence used in this study clearly indicates longstanding, continuous personal-level interactions, between Sri Lanka and South India, which were hitherto unknown.University of Exeter: Exeter/NIAS Intangible Histories Studentshi

Experimental and numerical study of root reinforcement and suction in soil stabilisation

In prehistoric times humans improved ground using native vegetation, and in modern engineering, this methodology is also used to improve the stiffness and shear strength of soil. This technique has slowly become accepted and is now widely practiced to stabilise slopes and railway corridors constructed on compressive soft soils or expansive clays. Tree roots stabilise soil in three ways: (a) they reinforce the soil, (b) they help disperse surplus pore pressure, and (c) they provide an adequate matric suction that increases the shear strength. The main focus of this study is to investigate how tree roots reinforce vegetated ground, and since this interaction between soil and roots influences the shear behaviour of reinforced soil, it needs to be examined. Previous studies of soil reinforced with tree roots focused mainly on saturated soil because it is simple to reproduce and test in a laboratory, but vegetated ground is generally unsaturated due to the soil moisture variations caused by tree transpiration, so how the soil matric suction affects the strength of a root-soil composite must be examined if vegetation is to be used as an effective technique for ground improvement. A series of field experiments were carried out to investigate the temporal and spatial variations of the soil matric suction close to a mature gum tree in Wollongong, Australia. A comprehensive analysis to identify how climatic data affected the variations in suction was carried out and a method to quantify the monthly evapotranspiration was proposed because it is considered to be the key factor controlling suction in the vadose zones. A mathematical model was developed to simulate the pullout behaviour of a simplified root system that incorporates the soil matric suction and other important soil and root parameters. The model algorithms developed were coded using the FORTRAN computer programing language to determine how the root and soil parameters affect the pullout capacity of a root-soil block. A sequence of laboratory pullout tests were performed with a specially designed set up and the model results were validated using the laboratory results. The expected results computed using the soil and tree root parameters contained in the analytical model compared favourably with the laboratory measurements, thus validating the assumptions upon which were used for developing the model. A computer model was developed to predict the stress-strain behavior of vegetated ground using ABAQUS finite element code. According to the author’s knowledge, this is the foremost study to observe the deformation characteristics of tree root reinforced soil incorporating both root induced suction and mechanical reinforcements. For the analysis, a two-dimensional model, developed using the general effective stress theory of unsaturated soils, was used. The outcomes of this research study deliver important and comparatively precise methods to estimate the effects of vegetation on grounds, and the numerical model proposed herein provides practicing engineers with a useful tool for designing structures on vegetated grounds

A Study on Landscape Planning Strategies to Conserve Wetlands and its Relevance to Muthurajawela Marsh

Wetlands are world’s most important, most productive ecosystems that have a vital role and vulnerable environmental resources including immense variety of animals, plants and human communities. Wetlands directly ameliorate other ecosystems. Therefore, wise use of wetlands is mandatory as on the recognition of its unique, vital service to all the biomes, wildlife and humans. Unfortunately, some of wetlands throughout the world has been detected on progressive wetland loss due to urbanisation where other land uses compete for wetland area. Irretrievable losses take place often where developing world tend to neglect the longstanding linkages between human and ecosystem functioning. This research investigates on the wise use of wetlands through a theoretical approach of planning strategies derived out of landscape planning principles. The Study refers to the Muthurajawela wetland which is the largest saline peat bog in Sri Lanka and RAMSAR wetland. In the past, this was called the “Supreme field of pearls” due to the ample harvest of paddy fields, which is unfortunately drained and encroached by the current settlements. Landscape planning principles such as protection, connectivity, construction and interactions were investigated over several ideal wetland landscapes in order to evaluate their strategical planning approaches. London Green Grid, Valley Regional Park, Olympic park, Kristalbald Hangelo ensch and Landscape park duisburg-Nord were selected for the investigation. Numerous planning indicators such as wise use of land, usage of urban turnover, community involvement etc. were analysed under wetland planning approach of each precedent wetland. Finally, a comparative analysis between precedent wetlands and Muthurajawela wetland was followed in order to investigate the strategical planning approach of Muthurajawela. Site observations, photographic survey, satellite images and GIS were used for further analysis. The study reveals that landscape planning principles and planning strategies were not considered very much when the build-fabric was introduced to the Muthurajawela wetland ecosystem. In addition, it has not been used wisely in the process of responding the demands of urbanisation. If sustainable utilisation and thriving conservation of wetlands is to be achieved, the role of the community to be changed regarding constraints and simulations. Wetland conservation should be done in the lines of maintaining its natural functioning including groundwater balance, flood prevention, sediment stabilisation, water purification, food chain support, rejuvenating ecosystems etc. Affirmative landscape planning approach should be implemented through comprehensive functional analysis including boundary demarcating public functions and transitional functions achieving wise use of wetlands.Keywords: Landscape planning principles, Landscape planning strategies, Wetland, Wise use, Land use, Urbanisation, Ecosystem, Conservatio

Kingship in Ceylon from the fourth to the tenth century A.D.

The present study is an attempt to examine the institution of kingship in Ceylon from the fourth to the tenth century A.D. A brief survey of the political background of the period is included in the first chapter as a prerequisite to the understanding of the various stages of the evolution of the concept of kingship in Ceylon; the rest of this chapter is devoted to a brief discussion of the sources utilized in this study. The second chapter deals with the various titles, throne names and personal names used by the kings of this period, in the discussion of which we have analysed the various factors that led to their selection, particularly the underlying religious and political significance of the titles and their importance with respect to the growth of kingly power. The royal family and the part played by its members in the administration of the country are taken into consideration in chapter III. An attempt has been made in this chapter to analyse the correlation of the three titles, upara.ja. yuvara.ja and mahadipada. Chapter IV is devoted to a discussion of the royal consecration. It discusses the new elements and rites associated with the abhiseka ceremony of the period under review, its political and religious significance and the disparity between the theoretical and the actual ceremony. This also attempts to clarify certain points of special significance, which in some instances have been repeatedly misunderstood, This is followed by a chapter on the nature of kingship. The concepts relating to rulership, their significance and how far these concepts actually affected practice are taken into consideration in this chapter. The next chapter deals with the relationship between the king and the Sangha, particular attention being paid to the causes that led to the development of a close connexion between them and the impact of that connexion on the evolution of kingship in Ceylon. Three appendices are included in this work to elucidate some of the points discussed

The puristic movement in Sinhalese (1922-1970).

The present study is an attempt to examine critically the Sinhalese puristic movement extending from the 1920's to 1970, which was inaugurated by Munidasa Kumaratunga and had as its objective the resuscitation in its wholeness of the framework of classical Sinhalese grammar and style. A brief discussion of the nature of Sinhalese diglossia with occasional relevant reference to other diglossic situations is included in chapter I both to illustrate the general character of Sinhalese and to show how it could be conducive to the rise and continuance of puristic endeavour. The same chapter also presents a thumbnail sketch of the history of Sinhalese in order to establish the historical origins of the dichotomy existing between written and spoken Sinhalese. The second chapter discusses the historical and linguistic background from the end of the fifteenth century which brings to an end the classical period of Sinhalese writing, and which the modern purists regarded as incepting a period of linguistic decadence. The first beginnings of puristic revivalism can be seen in the latter half of the eighteenth century and much of the nineteenth century with their nativistic tendency. These are dealt with in chapter III. Chapter IV is devoted to discussing the emergence of Kumaratunga, his linguistic objectives and the inception of his Hela Havula (Pure Sinhalese Fraternity). The fraternity's conception of language and its proper development together with its definition of grammar and correctness are taken into consideration in chapter V. Chapter VI is an analysis of the grammatical works of the movement which were designed to teach the Helese doctrine of perfection, The activities of the followers of Kumaratunga and their zealous endeavour to propagate his linguistic credo are dealt with in chapter VII. The final chapter discusses, firstly, the recent attempt of the Hela Havula to obtain authoritative recognition of its special linguistic features by using governmental backing to get them introduced into the state-sponsored Standard Sinhalese Grammar and the series of Sinhalese school text books. Secondly, it discusses the causes which led to the decline dying out of the Hela movement. Two appendices are included to illustrate some of the points discussed

IDENTIFYING AND MAPPING SALT-AFFECTED LANDS IN HAMBANTOTA DISTRICT, SRI LANKA: AN INTEGRATED GIS AND REMOTE SENSING APPROACH

Since available lands in Sri Lanka is decreasing every year mainly due to degradation oflands, it is very important to restore these lands for useful agricultural production. In thisregard, identification of salt-affected lands and differentiates into salinity levels wouldhelp to take necessary actions to restore these lands.An extensive soil survey was conducted throughout the Hambantota district in order to10 0 to to KA•••••.•.identify the salt-affected lands in the district The sampling was done at different depths(i.e. O-lOcm, IO-20cm, 20-30cm, 30-4Ocm and 40-50cm) by using a manual soil auger.The distance between sampling sites was approximately 3km. The exact position ofsampling points in latitude and longitl!c!~ ~ identified by GP~ (Global PositioningSystea), A total number of 100 points and 400 samples were collected. Topographicmaps of survey of Sri Lanka used in the study were Timbolketiya (82), Kataragama(83),Yala(l4), Hambantota(88) and Tissamaharama(89) of scale 1:50,000. Digital thematicmaps of same map sheets and Scale of I :25000 digital maps were also been used.The samples were taken to the laboratory of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty ofAgriallture, University of Ruhuna, where EC and pH measurements were taken using theEC meter and the pH meter. AIl the locational data taken using GPS system, entered intoa database. EC and pH data also been entered to the database. Using ArcView software, apoint map was generated using all the locational data including EC and pH values asattribstes. By applying interpolating techniques, salinity maps were produced.