This collection of essays is meant to felicitate a versatile scholar – a renowned historian and archaeologist of South East Asia, authority on Buddhist studies, prolific writer, diplomat, social worker, indefatigable researcher, erudite scholar of ancient Sinhala, Prakrit and English, and also a poet. The 1939-born Professor S.B. Hettiaratchi: London University’s PhD, retired in 2005 as Professor of History and Archaeology from the University of Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. Currently, Consultant Professor Dongook Buddhist Chonbop College, Korea, Dr Hettiaratchi is known for his exceptional service to Sri Lanka’s university system as both an administrator and a teacher. He has also been Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in France and Spain and its Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.
Putting together over 30 papers, in five thematically-organized sections, the volume covers diverse specificities of Sri Lanka’s history, archaeology, Buddhist studies, society, anthropology, and Sinhala literature. Among others themes, it considers the ancestry of Sakyamuni Buddha and its expansion in Sri Lanka, the king’s position in pre-modern Sri Lanka, the role of ancient Sri Lankan women in economic activities, shipbuilding technology in Indian Ocean countries in medieval period, collection of museum objects, prehistoric fishing practices in Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka’s mortuary practices in Mesolithic age. These besides, it focuses on the humanness of the Buddha; Theravada and Mahayana traditions; monks, priests and exorcists of Sinhalese Buddhism; and religious beliefs/rituals of Sri Lanka’s aborigines. The contributors to the festschrift are largely Sri Lankan scholars, including Professor Hettiaratchi’s well-wishers, former colleagues and students.
Dr Prashantha Perera, the Chief Editor, is Visiting Lecturer, University of Kelaniya, Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
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