3rd Lecture note

Introduction to History of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is situated on a strategic trans-oceanic route that brought diverse language, ethnic,
culture and technological groups in to this island throughout its history from east Africa, Europe,
West Asia, South Asia, South East Asia and the Far East. As a consequence, the personality of this
island society represents a complex character in its multi-cultural formation.
Sri Lanka known other names, as Traprobane, Serendib, Ceilo and Ceylon.
Early History of the Island
According to Sri Lankan chronicles (Deepawamsa and Mahawamsa) early history of the island,
their conception of its inhabitants at the time of arrival of the Indo- Aryan colonizers and settlers
around the Parinibbana of the Buddha, as spirits, yaksas and nagas, is more useful as an index to
the beliefs and perceptions of the literati of the ancient Sri Lankan society then for the extraction
of the factual information on the island’s prehistory and proto history.1

Archeological Evidence in prehistory (Stone tools)

Pre – Historic Period in Sri Lanka
What is the meaning of pre – history? The period before the invention of writing less than 6,000
years ago. From the earliest stage of human evolution pre – historic man gradually developed
techniques make his life easier. The journey to world civilization was a long process and took
thousands of years.

1
Here, we have to understand, there are some different arguments about Early History of the
Island since according to archaeological evidence are showing very clear story of island
prehistory before many years of Vijaya legend.
There are three stage of pre – historical periods
1. Early stone age or Paleolithic period – 12,000 years ago (First old stone tools made)
2. Middle stone age or Mesolithic period – from 12,000 years ago (Greater variety of stone
tools)
3. Neolithic period (Stone sickles and hoes) – from 10,000 years ago
7,000 years ago the copper age begins in the near East. (First metal tools)
The history of human in Sri Lanka date back to 30,000 BC. Earliest remains of the pre-historic
Mesolithic period are found at cave and open sites. The early Iron Age village culture, which was
an extension of the peninsular Indian techno-cultural matrix, flourished from the early first
millennium to the fourth Century BC. This culture introduced the earliest domesticated varieties
of plants, animals, household crafts, use of metals, the megalithic burials and incipient village
settlements.2 For example, The archeological evidence found in areas as Iranamadu, Pahiyangala
and Rathnapura.

(Middle Paleolithic (?) Large stone tools found in the Iranamadu formation)
Other example for Pre-historical places
Pomparippu, Wanathavillu, Bangadeniya, Nilgala, Pudalu oya, Kitulgala, Rawana Ella,
Bagawanthallawa, Batadoba Lena, Okada, Bellanbedi Palessa, Bandarawela
There are three major pre-historical caves in Sri Lanka
The oldest is Fa Hien-lena. It starts around 37,000 years ago.
The second is Batadomba-lena, which starts around 31,000 years ago.
The third is Beli-lena, which starts around 30,000 years ago.

(Batadomba-lena cave, Sri Lanka (29,000-9,500 B.C.), where the remains of prehistoric humans
have been found)

2
While archeological evidence on the prehistory of Sri Lanka is still rudimentary, it is possible for us to
attempt the bare outline of the beginnings of human society on the island using data relating to India
which affords convenient thought not entirely reliable point of comparison and through recent
archeological discoveries in the island.
Recent archaeological excavations conduct by Shiran Daraniyagala, in the inner city of
Anuradapura, point to the habitations of the cultured people who knew about the use of the iron
and about paddy around 800 B. C. (2 centuries before the Vijayan legendary)

Historical Age
Traditional methods of historical period in Sri Lanka
1. Ancient period (From 6th century B. C. to 13th century A. D.)
2. Medieval period (From 13th century A.D. to 16th century)
3. Modern period (From 16th century A. D. to Present) 3
Historical Age; Historical age in any country begins from the time history can be clearly
reconstructed with the written records. All historians depend on archeological evidence and
literature for study to historical age. 4

3
This method is most important to understand Sri Lankan historical period because not only archeological
evidence but also literature evidence reflect island history from 6 century BC to contemporary history.
4
In my next lecture note I continue, introduction to Sri Lankan history from Ancient history to Modern
historical periods with major historical events in our country.