Table of Contents

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

Promotional Information

Along with fifty-four images of paintings, sculptures, and architecture, this includes more than ninety classic and contemporary texts written by Sri Lankans and foreigners

About the Author

John Clifford Holt is William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of the Humanities in Religion and Asian Studies at Bowdoin College. He has written many books, including Spirits of the Place: Buddhism and Lao Religious Culture, The Buddhist Visnu: Religious Transformation, Politics and Culture, and The Religious World of Kirti Sri: Buddhism, Art and Politics in Late Medieval Sri Lanka. He has also been awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka.

Reviews

"The Sri Lanka Reader is unprecedented; never before has there been a volume 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 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 "...the ideal source book for analytical study of Sri Lanka's history enlightening the reader as to what caused the present ills." Rajitha Weerakoon writing for Colombo paper The Sunday Times